I couldn't think of a better temporary or permanent home for a Basenji than your home. Quite wonderful really.

Love those puppies with fat bellies. They look super healthy. We get posts here from people saying their puppy weighs 8 pounds at four months and I can't help but think there is some issue. Not for these little guys. So cute.

Sparkle looks like a doll. With respect to temperament, I wish more breeders would care about that. They all say they do but they rarely seem to. The problem is that it's impossible to judge in a show setting -- which is like speed dating. If you want a champion it's about a number of things but not really temperament.

The good news is that it doesn't seem to be a health issue. Not everyone goes twice a day, or even once a day. There is great variability based on a number of issues. Our dogs are fairly predictable and twice a day is about right -- with exceptions -- but other dogs could be different. If you're concerned, I'd think diet would be a big factor. If you are aiming for twice a day then elbrant's suggestion of pumpkin (the whole not the pie filling) might help.

Sometimes your idea of how diet works can be off. This week one of our dogs managed to grab a bag of minnow treats and eat most of the bag. We were expecting a runny explosion but her scat was unusually hard. Go figure.

Along the same vein, not wanting to defecate in the backyard is usual except when it isn't. A lot just depends on the size of the yard, number of dogs, and so forth. And perhaps how they were raised as well.

We've had dogs who weren't happy in the dark outside. Some were unfazed. Your pup seems normal.

@zande said in Soon to be Basenji mama! Playpen advice.:
This is enough to control the pack and keep it where I want it - mainly in the large farmhouse kitchen with access to the great outdoors during the day, but allowed through to the rest of the house in the evenings to share a comfy chair and watch TV.

Sound perfect. Let's you avoid those "we haven't heard our little darling in quite a while, what is she up to?" moments. LOL

@jengosmonkey said in Soon to be Basenji mama! Playpen advice.:

I may have to rethink my use of crates if and when we get a new doggie.

For some dogs nothing will work, but usually you can start by treating them when they get near an open crate. Then when they get inside you start treating them in the back. A clicker can be helpful for the first couple of steps. Also a Kong or something when they go in might also get them happier to be there.

@elbrant said in Soon to be Basenji mama! Playpen advice.:

I'm not playing devil's advocate here, but.... the only time any of my dogs are crated is when they travel (by plane).

I allow my Basenji free reign in the house.

You are a brave woman. I'd say giving a Basenji puppy free reign of the house borders between unwise and crazy! LOL More the latter than the former.

At some point, perhaps two or so, they do become more trustworthy. Before then no possible way would I leave them alone. God knows what they will do, but guaranteed they will do something and guaranteed you won't be happy that they did it.

And even after you can trust them you have to make provision for their getting sick or having diarrhea. It's a lot easier to clean up a mess on a wood or tile floor than on the priceless Persian carpet (which FYI I don't own!).

@zande Ever so sorry about both the physical setback and losing Hoover. It's always hard, and having it be unexpected makes it harder IMO. No doubt the house seems empty for both you and Mku. Hopefully you'll both bounce back. You have my sympathies.

I like this one. it doesn't have crossbars so it's hard to climb. Plus you can use it if you want to keep your pup in a room. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B003SOX02U/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 You can also make it smaller if you want with just one panel on a side.

Crates are the only foolproof enclosure. We had a pup who I caught climbing a gate to get out of the kitchen. Since we wanted to discourage climbing, I gave her a squirt from a water bottle (fate worse than death), told her "no", and then picked her up and put her back in the kitchen. She looked at me, went over to a cardboard box she was using as a toy (boxes make great toys), pushed it over to the gate, jumped on top of it, jumped over the gate, and then gave me a rather questioning look, as if to say "How about this?". I was laughing so hard it was all I could do to pick her up and put her back in the kitchen. The point being that Basenjis are awfully good at figuring out things on their own, and they have a lot of time on their hands to do that. You on the other hand have other things to do. Not a fair contest. So I'd agree that your lucite pen isn't going to pose a huge problem for a determined Basenji, unless it has a top.

But note this is for a "determined" Basenji. If they aren't motivated to get out of the pen, then they'll be fine.

Both a touching story and video. Yes he definitely liked to sing! Also amazing at how easily and daintily he jumped on the window ledge. Basenjis have a good idea of where their feet are. I tell people that they never break anything in the house ... unless they intend to.

You gave him a great home. Yes 8 years was short but seems like it was a rewarding 8 years for him and for you. No doubt he loved it. He was so lucky to have found you and your family.

So sorry you lost him. It's always hard.

The pics are absolutely great. Love the Darth Vadar hat and the sunglasses, the backpack pic, and the pic with all the stuffing strewn around the floor. Lots of great (and maybe one not so great! LOL) memories, all managing to worm their way into your heart.

As Tanza says, definitely not a cause for concern. And what a nice pink tummy!

Such a cute and handsome boy. I bet all the girls (Basenji and maybe human too) want to slip him their mobile numbers. LOL

I can't give you a brand because I've found this to be a problem getting most things to fit a Basenji. If they're long enough then they are too large everywhere else. If they fit the body they are too short. Just as you've described.

Many dogs are smart. Just depends on how you want to measure it. Basenjis, like other breeds that work on their own, are very good at figuring out things for themselves. That "talent" can be good. Can be bad (like when they figure out how to snatch your tuna sandwich from a high counter)! LOL Just depends on what you'd like them to do.

A DNA test will give you a definite answer. They're cheap, easy to sample, and will be accurate as far as whether Hank has Basenji in him (Basenjis don't share DNA with that many other breeds).

@zande said in Training techniques:

No such luck Mku was pleased to see me, yes, but he crowed and yodelled when Paul came through the gate and rushed to him ! He is convinced he is Paul's dog.

Silly boy. He'll figure it out though. In one way it's great -- you know he's been in good hands. Hope your recovery goes smoothly. My understanding is rehab from knee replacements take a bit.

@zande said in Training techniques:

Hope to get home today - because of covid, no-one can leave their room or go to the gym but the physical therapist will bring some sort of steps in and teach me to do stairs.

Not sure that Hoover and Mku will be as patient as the nurses in here though !

Hospitals are not the most restful of places so I'm sure you'll be more comfortable at home. Hard to guarantee anything but I'll guarantee Hoover and Mku will NOT be as patient! But I'm sure they will be besides themselves with joy to see you.

@zande said in Training techniques:

@donc Thank you ! I had a whole knee replacement yesterday and am delighted to think I will be able to walk with Hoover and Mku again ! I haven't been able to cross my own kitchen without sticks for what seems like months.
...
He won't know what hit him when Mom is back in action !!!

Best wishes for your being up and about as soon as possible. Getting old is definitely not for sissies!

@zande

So sorry you have to have surgery on your knee. Wishing you the best of outcomes and a speedy recovery.

Jack Bogle gave this famous advice to investors: "Don't do something, just stand there!" The point being that sometimes it's best to just see how things play out before trying to fix something that may not need fixing.

Here is an excerpt from "The Culture Clash", which details the ways in which humans and dogs see things differently:

"In dog culture there are no letters to the editor, slanderous gossip and backstabbing, guilty feelings, democratic institutions, or lawyers. There are growls, snarls, snaps and bites. Aggressive behavior does not fracture relationships in dog society. It’s all taken very much in stride."

Given that he's generally fine, my advice would be to just see if he grows out of it. Dogs can really sound as if they are ready to kill, but teeth never meet flesh and it's really not a big deal. If it worries you stay away from situations -- like dog parks --where the aggression can get out of control. (I wouldn't go to a dog park during a pandemic). Or at least pick times when it will work better. The absolute worst situation IMO is where you dog is on a leash. They have no place to go and its very unnatural. Plenty of dogs growl when on a leash and then relax when taken off. Having two dogs on leashes "meet and greet" is always problematic.

Neutering will not change anything. Associating intact males to more aggressive behavior is a modern version of voodoo. The fact another male is also intact is likely irrelevant. The fact the other dog is male may not be.

Telling him "No" is also not likely to prove effective. Try distracting him with a yummy treat.

@zande said in Training techniques:

I haven't come across 'When Pigs Fly' - I still love 'The Culture Clash' as a training aid.

You should definitely look at "When Pigs Fly". I read "Culture Clash" after you recommended it. What I'd say is that they cover some of the same ground and give similar general advice on training, but "Culture Clash" is far more general and covers far more ground than "When Pigs Fly". The latter is narrowly and exclusively focused on training dogs who have been bred to make their own decisions.

For general issues like being left at home, biting, or dog aggression, "Culture Clash" is the better source. For how to train your Basenji, "When Pigs Fly" would be the ticket.

I think you train them like any other independent minded breed. Essentially you have to convince them that doing what you want is great for them. There is a book which I like a lot titled "When Pigs Fly". Like most training books it makes training seem to easy! It's not but it is possible. While not devoted to Basenjis it should give you a good idea of what works and what doesn't. One illuminating example from the book is that while Basenjis scored highest among all breeds when faced with getting through a maze or over an obstacle course by themselves, you rarely find them at agility events.

Generally speaking the big issue IMO is using positive training when you don't want them to do something. You can do it but it takes quite a bit of thought.

Clicker training definitely works. It's not really special. It just gives you the ability to signal a reward is forthcoming.