Raising a basenji with a full time job...

Basenji Puppy Pen
Log in to reply
  • M

    Hi
    I recently adopted a little Basenji and I'm working a full time job. Myy girlfriend however does not and helps me a lot to raise our little boy :o However she'll start working part time next week and at this point Winston (the dog ;)) will be 10 weeks old. Is it too early to start training him to be on his own? How do you guys handle this kind of stuff?

    Thank you

    1
  • K

    I would say it is too early to leave him alone. There is so much he needs to learn and grow accustomed to at this age. Can you organize some daycare? It is easy for me to say, because I work at home and was with our pup all the time (I guess it was me who could not do without her....) Enjoy, they grow up so fast.

    0
  • tanzaT

    Not too early to be on his own...... I work full time and always have... had Basenjis for over 35yrs. Will you be crating him when you both are working? How many hours will he be alone? At 10wks, 4 hours is really tops...

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

    0
  • eeeefarmE

    Have you left him alone at all so far? If so, how did he handle your absence? If not, you need to get him used to being alone, starting with short departures. Leave him somewhere safe, a dog proof room or a crate, and give him something to occupy him while you leave. A toy he likes, a Kong filled with goodies, something to make him think being left isn't all bad. Do not make a big fuss when leaving or returning. Be as matter of fact as possible. Gradually build up to leaving for longer periods of time.

    "In order to get along with a Basenji, you have to be at least half as smart as the dog!"

    3
  • DebraDownSouthD

    All excellent advice, not much I can add. I have a 9 week old Samoyed here and I'm pretty much kangaroo momming him. Right now he's even sleeping with me. Fortunately I have my daughter and her father helping out so I get some breaks, and my daughter does most of it when she's home 2 days a week. Samoyed are extremely people needy, but honestly I am the one who can't bear him being on his own too much this early. Even with doctor appointments, he has a crate in the living room so Larry can take him out to play/potty and snuggle (since I'm usually gone 5 to 6 hrs some days).

    Easy adjustment.. put in crate, happy voice "i'll be back" and leave. Go out the door and leave alone at least 15 mins. Keep extending it over several days until you are up to a couple of hours. By that point, they do get you will come back. Just no drama, no soothing poor baby stuff... nonchalant. Happy leaving, happy return. Make sure safe toys, chews in crate.

    If you can arrange it so her work and your's don't quite overlap so he's no alone more than 4 hrs, that would be idea. If not... swap out coming home for lunch break?

    Good luck.. and please post pictures :) Also, where did you get him? A lot of the basenjis here are related. (My basenji now is a rescue so not related.) It's nice to see the connections though!

    Debra

    2

Suggested Topics

  • A

    Integrating Basenji with house cats

    Basenji Puppy Pen
    13
    0 Votes
    13 Posts
    2k Views
    ZandeZ
    @jhewell What more is there to say ? You have put it brilliantly ! A friend who has Persian Blues, I think they are called, and Basenjis operates on a two tier level. The cats are fed on the kitchen work-surface and enter and leave the house via the kitchen window onto a garden table. Once outside they are more than able to take care of themselves. Indoors the cats have perches and climbing frames the dogs don't manage to fathom. All is perfectly harmonious. No cat dares come into my garden. They haven't for years, through endless and changing packs of Basenjis. Occasionally one will come down the drive and sit in the sun by the cars but they never try to come over any gate into Basenji home turf. You are going to have endless 'fun' ! Good luck -
  • C

    Hello from Napa with our new basenji mix!

    Member Introductions
    19
    3 Votes
    19 Posts
    3k Views
    J
    He looks like a truck load of fun. Good looking little dude. Happy you’ve found one another. 😁👍
  • C

    How much puppy exercise?

    Basenji Talk
    6
    0 Votes
    6 Posts
    2k Views
    tanzaT
    @condesa said in How much puppy exercise?: Thanks so much! Makes me feel better. And I got her from Nocturnal Kennels in NC. Are the sire/dam DNA tested for Fanconi and PRA? Did you check for yourself at www.ofa.org as DNA tests for Fanconi/PRA are public posted for the results. If not you should have your girl tested. It is a cheek swab that you do yourself. You can order it at www.ofa.org and the cost is 65.00 for each test (Fanconi & PRA)
  • nathanyodavisN

    New Basenji!!

    Basenji Talk
    19
    3 Votes
    19 Posts
    6k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    @rugosa LOL on the pig ear. But it's not just a basenji trait. One night it was storming and one of my rotts was fixated on one of the bedroom windows. I looked, there was a toad on the screen! The dog was so intense about wanting to get to it, my daughter went out in the rain and moved it from the window. From then until she died, day or night, I had to let her in the bedroom when it stormed to make sure the once-in-a-lifetime visitor wasn't there. They think more than many people give them credit for.
  • crazybones16C

    Basenji Pup!

    Basenji Puppy Pen
    6
    0 Votes
    6 Posts
    5k Views
    crazybones16C
    is there any chance someone could post me the link please
  • KebasmomK

    Should I get two at the same time?

    Basenji Puppy Pen
    20
    0 Votes
    20 Posts
    10k Views
    tanzaT
    @myie: I got my boys when they were 4 months old, they're from the same litter, and I have really had no serious trouble with them. They are about 8 months old, and their personalities really keep each other occupied. The reason we got to is cuz we didn't want them to be lonely. It didn't cross my mind that two would be more of a handful than one. When I get home and greet one the other sits patiently looking up at me waiting his turn for love. Ok, this shows just how pathetically smitten I am over my pups, I try to always make sure that I greet a different boy every time so the other boy doesn't feel like I have a favorite. Wow, what an insight on myself. Are they still in-tact? If so, be prepared… breeding season is about to come on us... and 99% of Basenjis know when it is breeding season regardless if you have bitches or not... so keep your eye on them.... And it can take till they are a yr or 2 old for same sex siblings to begin having problems...