Very good point, Shirley. I honestly don't remember how many Basenji litters I have actually had born and growing up beside the Aga in my kitchen but watching the interaction between siblings and Mom (and Granny, because in Basenjis, grandmother often lactates to help Mom at feed times) is very instructive. Some Moms have been seen to nose the more bouncy pups out of the bed box as a way of disengaging.

I have also watched a friend's Doberman litters and while the two breeds are poles apart once out of the nest, the puppy / Mom relationship gives clues to early training. Her Dobes are renowned for their good manners and were I ever to consider changing breeds (unlikely) I would only ever buy a pup who has had as good a start in life as hers receive.

Walking away, turning away, basically just quietly disengaging, brings home to Basenjis that enough is enough. They soon learn !

@Roux Good question. Cheese, chicken too, but mostly I boiled ox liver up with garlic, dry it, chop it into small squares and freeze it. That does in the show ring and as a reward for returning to Mom in the woods.

@Kembe But Kembe, it is nothing to worry about. It is perfectly normal for Basenjis and so far this year I have to agree with @Micah, my boys have (until now and touch wood very hard) been much more relaxed than when they were younger. As long as I can tire them out in the forest where they chase squirrels, they are fine indoors.

In fact, I wish I could train them to find mushrooms ! There are more around this year than for a long time and today, for instance, I collected about a pound (once cleaned) of edible cep. Last week I filled my bag most days. The boys love these foraging walks because I don't even follow back trails, I go totally off piste into the tall timber. And while I am foraging for things to eat, they race around and tire themselves out.

Just be patient. As long as you understand what is going on with Iko that is a BIG step in the right direction.

@Lustopher I am afraid you have another couple of months of the rutting season in our breed. Basenji bitches come into season (in the Northern Hemisphere) normally from late September to the beginning / middle of December. These days there are many litters born out of the usual time-frame too - but I reckon my boys will snap out of it early December and by Christmas all will be back to normal again.

Taking them to the woods to hunt squirrels will no longer mean they have to check every female they meet - or for that matter males too. Other entire males could pose a threat - - -

From the New Year though, everything will be sunshine and light and they will bow politely in passing but not expect to sniff every canine rear end in Christendom !

Neutering them doesn't prevent this behaviour in the rutting season. As I have so often said, you can cut off the means but you can't remove those 6000 year old urges. You just have to be patient. This too shall pass -

@Roux phew ! We are all so relieved to see you back. Good luck for the show and all your others plans !

Roux - we are starting to get really worried - PLEASE come on briefly if you possibly can -

@Lustopher Welcome to the rutting season ! This is the time of year Basenji bitches in the Northern Hemisphere come into season and the boys know it. They also know that the very survival of the species depends on THEM. Even neutered Basenjis males will get edgy this time of year. My two have started checking up on every dog we meet in the woods - and while some don't mind, others object so I have taken to going earlier and earlier to avoid seeing other people with dogs.
Have a read (on my own website) of http://zandebasenjis.com/rutting.htm Basenji Boys Have A Rutting Season Too -
Be firm and it will all settle down again around Christmas !

Neutering is not going to help - training is. But a good trainer will train YOU to deal with the dog. If a trainer can get him to behave but you can't - there is little to be gained from paying out money. This is something you should never have allowed to happen, but since it has, I think you should deal with it and @JENGOSMonkey has given you a good idea to start you off. Withdrawing treats is a good idea, but also, get up and walk away. He could be biting to get attention and therefore you withdraw the attention at the first sign of a bite, with a firm NO.

@eeeefarm said in Wet weather exercise:

physical control no matter via what tool doesn't allow the dog the chance to make mistakes and learn.

I agree there - 100 %. I'm not a trainer but for 41 years now I have owned, bred and showed Basenjis so am not exactly inexperienced at getting my dogs to behave and conform and have fun !

@t89rex said in Wet weather exercise:

That feels like it might be close to a year before he's up to that kind of exercise

You certainly shouldn't embark on 10 km (6 mile) runs before he is structurally up to it ! There are all kinds of theories about distances for young puppies. Personally, with 40 years of experience and anything from 1 to 8 Basenjis at a time, I find they let you know when they have had enough. And having a sling to carry a small dog in is a godsend.

@eeeefarm I totally agree ! Mine have never been crated except in the car when it is essential. When I go out, they are never left for very long, absolute maximum of 4 hours and that only occasionally - they have a dog-proof room and all curl up and sleep. When I am at home there is absolutely no question of a crate. Day or night.

He's only 12 weeks old ! Some breeders don't let them leave the nest till almost that age - so he is still a baby and is forming a bond with you as his pack leader. He needs sleep whenever he needs sleep ! there is no pattern to it. Dogs do sleep a great deal of the time. And a puppy even more so. This is not something you can have any control over although you can make him a bed somewhere quiet, teach him that that is HIS space and he won't be disturbed and at night, have his bed close to yours - or better yet, let him curl up with you.

When he wakes up, let him out to pee because that will be the first thing he needs to do. And rain or shine, don't let him dictate. He has to go out. He WILL have accidents at this age but it won't last long. At 12 weeks he is unlikely to be able to go through the night. Once he has had all his shots and can go out for proper walks, don't over do it at first but he will get tired and sleep when he gets home.

Good luck -

You will get a taste for showing !

Never mind, Kembe - He will finish his Grand Champion in no time, I am sure - Groups are so political, at least they are here. Who handled him, Gretchen ?

@t89rex Mine are just that same - all of them over the years have sat on the doorstep and had to be pulled out. But it doesn't help them - they go out, rain or shine. They may not like it - some are better than others at tolerating it but they need exercise and the mental stimulation of rabbit holes and squirrels. Once they are out in the rain, they usually accept it. Its the idea of that first foot step onto wet paving which they fear !

Iko is brilliant ! I am so pleased for you (and him, and Gretchen !)

@JENGOSMonkey said in Hi From Greg, Logan and Princess Sparkle:

like to see her lose another pound, pound and a half or so.

That is a great deal of weight for a young lady Basenji to lose ! It suggests she is grossly overweight now ?

Great to hear from you again, Greg, especially the news that you are planning on another litter this Fall ! Showing isn't everything and Logan will get his GCh once you have completed all the chores of this summer. Shame the kids got fat, it happens all to easily (and not just for Basenjis !). That Logan lost his surplus more quickly does not surprise me. We females always find it harder !

I didn't even know there was a pet version, @macattack. I use one from the hardware store. Possibly even cheaper ! Mine get a 'special bickie' after each session and don't mind a bit.

@Motala I certainly would be against spaying her before she has had at least one normal cycle. At 6 months she may even be thinking about having an early one before one in Autumn and then normal annual cycles. Bitch puppies very often do. You have no idea what sort of harm you are piling up for the future if you do it before hormonal maturity - Tad will know that and your vet is right. WAIT !