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Basenji, I'm Overwhelmed…..HELP!!!

Behavioral Issues
  • You asked about electric fences
    Please keep in mind they are TOTALLY DIFFERENT from an invisible fence
    Debra mentioned an electric fence.
    I have had these attached to my fence for over 15 years and the ONLY time there was an issue was when my crazy 1/2 AFs unplugged it and took off out the yard.
    I run it along the bottom of the fence all the way around, and then back along the top of the fence.
    The dogs learn quick to stay away from the fencing… and also do not dig in the yard [one dig near the fence cures them of that].

    Now, an invisible fence… a waste of your money.
    If you want to buy one, just get out some matches and burn your money.
    You will get more pleasure out of that....
    invisible fences do nothing for a bright dog, and allow any animal in the yard to attack/kill your dog.

    Hope things are getting better with your pup!

  • Kathy, Duh moment. I said electric, meant invisible.

    I actually bought an electric fence kit before I got my first basenji to be prepared for having to install it. Was a waste of about $50 bucks as she never tried to climb my 6 ft fence. But I totally agree, you add it to a fence and not many dogs going to crawl over one!

  • @tanza:

    6 or 8wks? If only six weeks, way to young to have left the litter and even at 8wks, a bit young. I don't place my pups until at least 10wks

    Sorry he is 8 weeks… that was just a typo.

  • In my experience a Basenji will brave an electric fence or any form of restraining fence if there is prey beyond it. I wonder what voltage fence you're using?

  • I have found that hot wires (not invisable fencing) works really well. Like Kathy said, line the top and bottom of the fence will keep most all Basenjis off them…. I always recommend voltage that is typically used for cattle or horses.

  • And then you have a Basenji pup like Nickie (short for Necromancer) who was determined to "kill" the wire no matter how much it shocked him (and it was a low level charge believe me). His litter mates would hit the wire around the garden once and then leave the area and not ever attempt to go thru it again. Nickie would attack it once a day. He would do the Basenji bow at it and then the pounce. It was so very funny, he was so special he went to live with my in laws. He never attempted to climb any fence, he just wanted into my flower garden and the fish pond.

  • I have found the website http://www.dogstardaily.com/ to be very helpful in all training. The training textbook tab is where you want to go.

    Chris Battistelli

  • Hey noob! First welcome, and yes you are in the right place for information! MacPack has a good reply and tlish….I have had my boy Uzie for 3months now. He was crated at the breeder, then about 20 hours a day by the previous owner for the next 10 months. He is only crated at various time now, but he still baroos if left in for over 2hours. My mentioning this is just to let you know it is so wrong to keep him in that wire box for too long. It has taken me the 3months to help him overcome separation anxiety, counter-clockwise circles of anxiety, and then some. They need stimulation, stimulation, exertion with a running exercise, and then some for mental health. Can you actually have a doggy day care, or 'dog sitter' break up the day? I realize you go to work and school, so do you think you are doing right by having any dog????? esp a Basenji. Please do not crate him at night, this is at least the bonding time for you all as a 'pack' Please think through the scenario of the situation thoroughly. Maybe a cat for companionship? They do better alone as a species than a dog....(you said no matter how harsh...)

  • I just read through the entire previous 6 pages. I will tell you that he probably keeps on screeming all day. Uzie did per the previous owners' housemates…...NOT HEALTHY FOR HIM. poor Buddy.....

  • Folks ignore Pottypuppy… spammer link to blog selling.

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    Congratulations on the future new addition. Boy/girl is a good combination. As others have advised let them meet on neutral ground and take them for a long walk together. For every good interaction praise both inordinately. As Curlytails says don't rush it. Keep us posted, please and best wishes to you all.
  • Help - My Basenji hates my boyfriend!

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    I'm on the "boyfriends come and go, but you chose to bring this dog into your life, forever, not just as long as it was convenient" bandwagon. Maybe this is offensive or rude, but I can't see giving either of my girls up for ANYTHING. Callie has the most even temperment, and has never ever met a stranger. Lola can be snobbish about people, and she has to sometimes get to know them on her terms. Once they are friends, they are friends for life, but it is my responsibility to ensure that every person she meets is a good experience. I know she is scared of children, which has to do with her "breeder" not socializing her properly and allowing her to come home with me too early. So I never ever force her to meet children. Instead, when I know we will be somewhere where we will likely run into children, I take treats. Anytime little kids run up to her, I stand in front of Lola, and explain to the children she is scared of them. I instruct them how to politely introduce themselves to Lola, and I give them treats or kibble to let Lola eat out of their hands. Thus, I control Lola's interactions with children so they are always positive experiences, and she comes to associate "big scary monster children" with "yummy food and soft pats on the head". It is a slow process, and I have to respect that some children are too little to understand how to interact with her politely. In those cases, I hold Lola & tell the children she isn't feeling up to company at the moment. Each situation is unique, and there are just some children Lola doesn't feel comfy with, so I don't force the issue too much. I guess my long winded soapbox is to say, have patience, take baby steps, and do what's best for the being that you committed to caring for.
  • I'm seeing double

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    I think that sounds perfect! You want the younger dog to be comfortable going new places without the older one; and you want the older one to still have some special one on one time with the humans…but there is no need to get carried away with having them do things separately! Dogs like to act as a pack :)
  • Sally Jo Pee'd Help!

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    renaultf1R
    Another thought on the poop thing…the 100% guaranteed way to get Ruby to poop is to give her exercise. Also, Ruby only goes once a day (in the morning) unless something really excites her (like deer running across the road in front of her or a dog chasing her when we do an evening walk). We have a routine in the morning...first thing after I get up, I take her out...say "Potty Ru", she runs off the step and starts to sniff, I say "potty" a couple more times and she goes. (oh and while she's going, I say "good potty" a few times and follow up with a treat once finished). We have a daylight basement that extends off the porch so there is an overhang that she goes under and will potty no matter how hard it is pouring (takes longer in the rain or when it is windy because of all the noise). After the potty, then I run her on the bike or walk her (walks happen in light to moderate rain) - usually 1 - 2 miles. If I walk her, she sometimes poops on the walk (usually in one spot by a duck pond which is just about the halfway point of the walk). If I run her on the bike, as soon as we are back to the yard, we go in her dog pen, I say "poop Ru" and she starts doing the crazy run/circle thing and poops (again, I say "good poop" while she's going and give a treat to her when finished). I bet if you walked her first and then tried to get her to poop, you might have more success as she will have checked for messages from other dogs :D on her walk and gotten all the new scents from those.
  • I'm So Happy!!!!

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    jennifereverJ
    i was really worried about taking my new basenji to the dog park this past weekend, because his last owner said he was bad with other dogs, but he had so much fun! i'm proud of him! he even got a girlfriend (and boyfriend!!) (this gorgeous rosey light fawn-greyish colored italian greyhound - absolutely beautiful!) and then this grey male i.g. started humping him, lol.. that's the boyfriend :p . so good job to your basenji! it's so nice to see them get along with others!
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    Whoooops! Sorry Andrea….. I meant to say "Then I give him the treats".....LOL But I guess you got the idea.