Skip to content
Basenji Forums
  1. Home
  2. Basenji Training
  3. Litter box training advice

Litter box training advice

Basenji Training
  • SarahRNS

    I recently got my basenji an indoor dog potty from www.ugodog.net. She is 7 years old & has fanconi, so she pees a lot now & I imagine it could even increase in the future. Also, she hates snow & rain (big surprise there), so with winter coming up I wanted to work on an indoor option for her. She does have a doggie door, but when I am not home I believe she rarely goes any farther out than the deck.

    I am wondering if anyone here can offer any tips on how to get Cleo to use the indoor potty. I expect it to be a bit of a challenge considering she has been effectively house trained for almost seven years. I have tried collecting a specimen & putting it in there & she will smell it but when I tell her to "go potty" she looks at me like I'm crazy & then starts running for the back door. Any advice that anyone can offer would be appreciated!!

    Sarah

    0
  • lvossL

    Nature's Miracle makes grass scented pee pads don't know if it will help. I know they do help puppies to get the idea that they should go on grass so maybe they would work in reverse.

    0
  • SarahRNS

    that sounds like it would be worth a try, I will look into those. Thanks!

    0
  • tanzaT

    And you might want to try putting it outside and try getting her to go on it there and then try moving in inside….

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

    0

Suggested Topics

  • S

    Training Questions

    Basenji Training
    17
    0 Votes
    17 Posts
    8k Views
    caseeno8C
    I think incorporating some crate training if none is being used will help. If you take him outside and he does not go potty, when you bring him back in, he must go in crate for about twenty minutes or so and not be allowed to roam or play. Then outside again to potty spot. If he does not go again repeat in crate for twenty minutes then out to potty spot and naturally praise like crazy when he does go. The idea is to get him to go potty when you want and where you want. I felt using the crate was extremely beneficial. Chris Battistelli
  • KipawaK

    Doggie door and 'litter' box

    Basenji Training
    8
    0 Votes
    8 Posts
    3k Views
    KipawaK
    That's what our cat door is. I guess I can use it so long as it doesn't become too much of a squeeze for my future B.
  • cazC

    Crate training

    Basenji Training
    8
    0 Votes
    8 Posts
    5k Views
    basenji_fanB
    When you feed him in the crate and close do you walk away? I had a foster that was terrified of the crate and also suffered terrible anxiety w/peeing in the crate too. So I would feed him in the crate and then close the door and sit right there with him. At first I only closed the door half way, did that way for about a week then was able to close it all the (without latching) for another week. I would sit right next to the crate and praise him for eating his meals. Then I would scoot a few feet back at one meal, move back at the next and do that for a for a few times. Then I would stay at the few feet back. It is a slow process but it really really helped him in his crate training process and getting him over his fear. I was soon able to feed him in his crate and walk away. He was running to his crate and sitting for his meals. He still had his anxiety for long periods w/the peeing problem but we even worked on that were we could leave for short times and he wouldn't pee in his crate
  • S

    Litter box training

    Basenji Training
    25
    0 Votes
    25 Posts
    14k Views
    T
    Yes, they will use it for poop - but if they have diarrhea they might not be able to make it to the box! Of course, the best thing is to figure out what's causing the diarrhea, which I'm sure you are working on. Half an Immodium usually works for ours if it's a temporary stomach upset from eating something they shouldn't… Terry
  • TroyBoyT

    Troy's crate training, need some advice

    Basenji Training
    19
    0 Votes
    19 Posts
    10k Views
    nobarkusN
    @tanza: Crate training is something that "if" possible all dogs, not only Basenjis should learn… in your case Shaye's Mom, as you will I am sure read of hear from other Forum members there are some that you can just not crate train.... but the reasons are many, not just house breaking, but a safe place if you are having work done in the house, no worries about someone leaving a door open... work in the yard, no worries about someone leaving a gate open... traveling, all should be confined/restrained when in a moving vehicle, visiting with family/friends... by taking the crate along there is always a place that your dog is familar with and comfortable... Most responsible breeders have usually started crate training before you get your puppy... so usually they are somewhat used to them... however this is one reason I will never ship a puppy as cargo... and people need to personally pick up a puppy... one great way to freak a pup out (in my opinion) is remove them from their litter mates, stuff them in a crate that they have no idea what it is, haul them to the airport to be put in the belly of the plane.... well, you get the idea... Of course that said... there are just some that can't be crate trained and have never had a bad experience You're absoluty correct Pat. I had 3 that I could not for the life of me crate train. Crating would have been wonderful.
  • EdwardE

    Clicker training

    Basenji Training
    3
    0 Votes
    3 Posts
    4k Views
    lvossL
    Edward, Positive reinforcement methods like clicker training work wonderfully with basenjis. All four of my basenjis are clicker trained. I guess you could even consider Sophie to have started before birth since I was clicker training her mom while she was pregnant with the litter. The purpose of the clicker is to mark the behavior that you want so you could also just use a word like "yes" or "Yay" or "good dog" followed by a treat. I use clicker training to train a variety of behaviors such as sit, down, attention, name response, stay, stand, go to mat, front, point, hand targeting, and the list goes on. I also use it in agility training.