@basenjicurious
It’s great that you’re doing your homework on the basenji. I think the reason you read all these “horror stories” is because they are not your typical dog. They are a beautiful and highly intelligent breed with a very strong prey drive. My Kembe is my first basenji but I was familiar with the breed because my brothers were basenji owners. I got her when she was 1years old - she was returned to the breeder by the previous owners. Kembe has never been destructive, she has free reign of our house, and I can leave her at home alone. It’s extremely important to exercise them regularly - especially exercise and stimulate their minds, and establish a routine (I can set my watch to my dog). They are definitely trainable - it scares me to see how smart she is and also well behaved. Basenjis are extremely lovable and hilariously funny. If I have a treat that my dog especially likes - she will do her whole “repertoire of tricks” without me even asking her. She dances to let me know it’s time to eat and will sit right next to me and hit me with her paw when she wants to go for her walk.
I think our basenji chose us - when we went to the breeders home to look at her - She jumped up next to my husband on the couch and curled up! I was sold on her! I really hope you find a basenji that right for you!
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Basenji proof
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Well I am trying to Basenji proof our home before our little guy arrives. We are pretty much child proof but I have a few concerns. On one of our side gates there is a gap under the fence should I find a way to block this? Will our pup even try to escape? Do I need to have all electrical outlets covered (we have most done but not all) What else do I need to think about? Id like to have everything figured out before Guru gets here (which should be this weekend) Thank You for any and all help
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this is going to sound silly, but crawl around on your hands & knees to see what is at "puppy level". this gives you a better idea of potential problem areas. i.e. - potted plants, electrical outlets, dangling cords, trash bins, cabinets that are easily opened, shoes, decorative items, etc…
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On one of our side gates there is a gap under the fence should I find a way to block this?
IMO….yes you should try to eliminate all escape routes and also keep in mind other animals you may not want in your Basenji yard may gain access through those openings.
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Our B loves to explore everything and he is a problem solver. We have a baby gate to keep in in the rooms we are in. We have also contained all of our wires and moved anything "tear uppable" out of sight, because what we think is out of reach….isn't so much out of reach of a B.
Be sure any posions are locked up and watch any lower cabinets that have food in them. B's love a pilfered snack!
We do crate our dogs during the day while we are gone, this affords our hous and our dog a measure of protection. We got our B at age 3 and didn't know how upset he would be alone during the day. Luckily he was confined to our bathroom that day and only destroyed that one room. Wood trim and all. He was lonley, bored and peeved that we left him alone. We learned quickly!
Just keep in mind that everything is fair game and our B loves anything that smells like us. Socks, undies, bathroom trash, clothes you name it, he has been found dragging it around and flinging it with glee.
We have been lucky that our B hasn't really destroyed anything since the bathroom debacle, but he loves to strew things all about the house and yard.:rolleyes:
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this is going to sound silly, but crawl around on your hands & knees to see what is at "puppy level". this gives you a better idea of potential problem areas. i.e. - potted plants, electrical outlets, dangling cords, trash bins, cabinets that are easily opened, shoes, decorative items, etc…
I ditto Jessi76 advice…tv remotes, outlets, wires, cables, shoes, plants, cabinets, any wine bottles or cleaning liquids need to be put safely away...any precious items like special rugs, decorations, picture frames, books, shoes need to be out of reach. Also bathroom doors need to be kept closed & toilet paper & trash bin out of reach.
Basically think...short, athletic basenji with 2yr old mindset!
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Alkite-I got C3PO at age 3 also!! We crate both our B's it just feels safer for all of us. They sleep all day long anyways & when they're bored they chew on their nyla bone or sleep some more
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Thank You everyone. Our shoes are all by the front door and stay there (we dont allow shoes on the carpet
Clothes are put away or dirty goes in the garage so I dont think that will be a problem. All of our poisins are locked up in a locked bock that is in a cabinet above the fridge that is locked. My children have made me call poisin control and can figure anything out. Right now I am watching my 3 year old use a chair to get to the top of the entertainment center to get something So I am used to keeping things up high and out of reach. We have not locked the cabinet with the dishwasher soap but I think I will do that today. Food is all kept in apantry in the garage all but cereal and stuff in the fridge (thanks to my 3 year old) I see my 3 year old and Guru getting into much trouble in the future :rolleyes: I do use cloth diapers, but they are kept in my room that should be okay right? or should I find a better way to store them that Guru wont be able to go near. I am a SAHM so Guru will almost never be left alone except when we go shopping and such. Our trash can has a lid on it should I move it into the garage?Also I am not sure how I could close the gap under the side gate. Any suggestions (It has to be able to open as our meter reader uses it)
Tv remotes are normally ontop of the tv except in my room but in our room they go in the night stand.
We do have a bookshelf with books (lots of kid books) should I try to take everything off of the bottom shelfs?
I think we have almost everything proof but I guess I really wont know for sure till guru is here getting into trouble
After reading all responses I am even more excited LOL I will have two little terrors
We call N'tan my 3 year old a little terror well because he is but he is soo cute about it -
Also I am not sure how I could close the gap under the side gate. Any suggestions (It has to be able to open as our meter reader uses it)
How big is the gap under the fence Shyla? Also, what type of fence is it, wood, chain link???
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Alkite-I got C3PO at age 3 also!! We crate both our B's it just feels safer for all of us. They sleep all day long anyways & when they're bored they chew on their nyla bone or sleep some more
I am hoping to get a B and start from scratch one day, but we just don't have room for another furbaby, but 3 was an experience!
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How big is the gap under the fence Shyla? Also, what type of fence is it, wood, chain link???
The fence is wood and 6 1/2 feet tall. The only gap is under the one side gate and is 5 inches. So will he be able to get out?
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The fence is wood and 6 1/2 feet tall. The only gap is under the one side gate and is 5 inches. So will he be able to get out?
We have the same arrangement…...he could, they can squeeze through some small spaces and like I said.....other creatures.
What I did was use a strip of hard black plastic edging they use to outline flower beds. With some small screws I attached it to the bottom across the width of the gate.
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We have the same arrangement…...he could, they can squeeze through some small spaces and like I said.....other creatures.
What I did was use a strip of hard black plastic edging they use to outline flower beds. With some small screws I attached it to the bottom across the width of the gate.
Ill have to convince dh to do that. For now I think I'll put cinder blocks infront of it and move them when I need to
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I hope baby gates work for you… my basenji/whippet mix vaulted over one, leaving her much larger (65 lb standard poodle) playmate behind. Guess I have the typical basenji escape artist.
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baby gates have never worked for any of my children and I doubt it will for my puppy. I have tricks though and have learned with my children ways
My kids have prepared me for a basenji lol. I really think Guru is going to fit right in with my human pups -
I use large river rocks for gaps at the bottom of our fence. My two would dig in the sand to cool off or get warm. They never really dug at the edge of the fence.
I have also used zipties and extra pieces of chain link fence to patch the weird spots in a hurry.
Beta as a rescue would try to gnaw on my moulding corners or the trim wood on my staircase. I found the edible Nylabones were a great distraction and took about 2hrs to eat. The teething nylabones were either too soft or hard and would cause gums to bleed. The edible ones are the only Nylabones I use.
Caesar has eaten a hole in the carpet all the way to the pad. Sometimes training is the only way to go when natural insticts come in. It turned out that there was a crack in the concrete under the carpet and he always tried to sniff there. Now when he displays that "making the bed" or scratching activity I alwasy try to stop him before he gets started.
I found basic training to be wonderful. It helped me understand Caesar better and to stop saying "no" all the time. It also taught Caesar the differences between play time and time to listen.
Hope that helps a bit!! Good Luck….basenji teething time is always a trying time!!
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Oh, and covered trashcans…..Caesar knows how to step on the pop up lid buttons or use his nose to get to the trash....sneaky little devils.....
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Oh, and covered trashcans…..Caesar knows how to step on the pop up lid buttons or use his nose to get to the trash....sneaky little devils.....
So much for that new trash can with the "pop up lid" that my wife claims would solve the garbage dog problems.:eek:
Sneaky little scavengers.:D
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lol take the pedal off of the bottom than they cant step on anything. That is how ours is (thanks to my 3 year old ds:rolleyes: ) you will have to lift up the lid but than you wont have them getting into it. There is also a cool trash can that has a sensor but Im sure my kids and pup would figure it out in no time
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lol take the pedal off of the bottom than they cant step on anything. That is how ours is (thanks to my 3 year old ds:rolleyes: ) you will have to lift up the lid but than you wont have them getting into it. There is also a cool trash can that has a sensor but Im sure my kids and pup would figure it out in no time
So far our resident varmint hasn't figured it out, but it is nice to know if she does, I have another move in store for her.:) Thanks
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I thought I was so clever when I got a few pop up covered trach cans. If Joey can't open it by stepping on the pedal, he just knocks it over! No problem.
I would put away the shoes at the front door if your B will have access to them. Joey loooooooooooooooves shoes! (If you want a new pair of shoes, well then of course keep them out! :D) and that goes for remodeling too. If you need a room remodeled, just leave the little B to do his work. It's free demolition!!! I am thinking of redoing my bath….
