Skip to content
Basenji Forums
  1. Home
  2. Basenji Puppy Pen
  3. Raising a basenji with a full time job...

Raising a basenji with a full time job...

Basenji Puppy Pen
  • 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

  • D

    Breeders

    Basenjis For Sale or Wanted
    2
    0 Votes
    2 Posts
    791 Views
    ZandeZ
    This is not the time of year to look for a Basenji in the Northern Hemisphere, let alone in Kent ! One breeder from there is reputed to have said he had enough advance orders for 4 years after the last year's rush to buy a Basenji ! But you could (maybe) get on a waiting list for next March delivery. Email me privately (address in websites on signature block) for a list of breed club secretaries.
  • 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 -
  • A

    Looking for a Reputable breeder in Europe

    Breeder Talk
    16
    0 Votes
    16 Posts
    3k Views
    E
    @zande thank you so much for your help
  • D

    Puppy Painful Biting Nonstop

    Behavioral Issues
    16
    0 Votes
    16 Posts
    4k Views
    elbrantE
    @rgk9ruler said in Puppy Painful Biting Nonstop: xylitol, a sugar substitute, is deadly to dogs Thank you for the reminder! I don't do "sugar free" products (which would be obvious if you met me), but I often forget to mention this. Very important warning. Thank you!
  • J

    Is a Basenji the right dog for me?

    Basenji Talk
    16
    0 Votes
    16 Posts
    14k Views
    R
    First, thank you for the honest evaluation of your situation. Basenjis are dogs that consider who they live wit, to be part of their pack - family. They only chew or destroy things when they are bored, or mad at you. (Yes, I know people will disagree, but I have had basenjis for 25 years and have witnessed this activity. This included one dog jumping on the table, with me sitting 3 feet away, and peeing in a circle, as if saying, "There, take that!”) A young basenji, under say, 8 years, will do this when left alone for so long. (Yes, I know people will disagree, but I have had basenjis for 25 years and have witnessed this activity. This included one dog jumping on the table, with me sitting 3 feet away, and peeing in a circle, as if saying, "There, take that!) You write that you live with 3 roommates. You do not mention if this will change, so I will assume it will not. Personally, I think it is very unkind (to them AND the dog) of you to bring a basenji into this living arrangement. Unless ALL the roommates understand, and agree, to sharing their lives with a dog that will require so much of their time. The tiniest thing left on the floor could be destroyed, and could even harm the dog. Bathroom doors left open? A basenji might not be able to find anything as much fun, grab the toilet paper, and run. Fun, fun, fun!!! For the dog. You are researching enough to show that you are checking really well to see if a basenji will fit into your life. In my opinion, not just yet. Maybe later when your life has settled a bit. Oh, just remembered you mentioning you studying, the dog doing its thing. It might happen, but if the dog thinks your attention should be on him/her, you may not like that something. Best of luck in your studies, and with where ever your life leads you!
  • H

    BASENJI PUPPY WANTED - Help!

    Basenji Puppy Pen
    32
    0 Votes
    32 Posts
    20k Views
    KipawaK
    Enjoyed looking at your lovely webpage. Beautiful furry friends.