Help Please!!

[mmp2011]

I rescued a basenji mix (possibly Labrador?) last week from an animal shelter. They had two and I liked them both but I chose one. Then later that week I felt so bad for the other one I went back for her. They are both females and have both been spayed 1wk ago. One is around 2yrs and the other 1-1.5yrs old. Here is the problem. Separate they are well-behaved, good dogs but together they are a total nightmare! There have been pee/poop accidents in the house, shredding of blankets but the worst for me is the non-stop (and I mean non-stop) rough housing! They are "playing" and destroying my house in the process! I feel so overwhelmed that I'm considering making the choice to take one back or find a new home for her. I have been currently dealing with the problem by only letting one out at a time which does not far well for the one crated. We absolutly cannot leave either one out of the crate while we are gone or sleeping so they are spending much of their time in crates which is not much diffrent than living in a shelter. I feel horrible about this but we don't have a fenced in yard and cannot take them on walks constantly. I know I will recive a lot of flack for this but I can honestly say that I will never have another dog of this breed again! I just can't handle it. I thought if they were a mixed breed then they would not be as hard to handle as the pure bred basenji but I thought wrong! If anyone has any advise on how to deal with the problems I've listed Please pass it along. Or better yet if you know anyone who is looking for a wonderful mixed bred basenji on it's own, I have two! Thanks,
Moira

[DebraDownSouth]

I hope you work to find BOTH dogs a new home, not return to the shelter. Sadly you have picked a breed that requires a lot of exercise and are incredibly destructive. We know, we choose them and we live with them–- but you got into this without knowing. So please work to find a new home for them that is prepared. You might join the BRAT and basenji boards on facebook and post their pics and try to find homes among folks that know what they are getting into. Bless you for trying.

[Kipawa]

You've got a real good heart for trying to help these dogs out. I agree about Debra's idea of using BRAT and Facebook as a means to putting out the word that you've got these two. It sounds like they really like each other. Maybe someone with basenji knowledge and the room to let them romp will adopt them together.

[tanza]

Do you have pictures? And if they really are a Basenji/Lab mix, I would say you have energy galore. Labs need "a job" or they will find one for themselves. Basenjis need excerise…

I have two Basenji bitches that are a little over 18 months old. They are run, run, run, play, play, play (and they play hard) all day, they stop to sleep at night period! However, for us they are a source of total amusement!!

I think the suggestions that you try and find one a home if you can't deal with them as a pair.

[KMac]

I don't have a backyard either but I do make sure I walk my Mix twice a day. And he gets atleast 2 hours at the dog park each night. I agree they need A LOT of excersice and a job to keep them healthy.

I agree if this isnt working out maybe it is time to find a new home or one or both. But if you are going to keep both of them I suggest you look up some sort of training or a behavorist.

[sharronhurlbut]

Can you post some photos of these 2 dogs please?

[mmp2011]

Hi, Sharron could you let me know how to post some pictures of these dogs? Tried to do it through the image icom but I don't think that is right. Thanks,
Moira

[mmp2011]

Never mind it worked who knew! lol! I will try another….

[mmp2011]

My husband wants to give it a little more time and see what a trainer thinks but if it is going to cost too much to get professional help then we will be finding new homes. TWe have already spent quite a bit as it is. They are both spayed and up to date on all vaccines. No known health problems. I also have two new crates and some toys, bowels, etc…. Also Bella is microchiped but not Chloe. Bella is the smaller one. Bella is 1 to 1.5yrs and Chloe is 2yrs. Thanks,

Moira

[eeeefarm]

Oh, they are real cuties! And I am sure they can get into all sorts of trouble. It's really too bad you don't have a yard for them to play in. I'm sure that would help a lot. Do you have a contained area, e.g. a garage, where they could work off some of their energy? Also, an ex pen in a garage might be helpful when you are out…..

[tanza]

They are cute, not sure I see the Basenji, but still cute… and at their age, lots of energy... need lots of exercise.... period.... as with all dogs, a tired dog is a good dog. If they can expend the pent up energy, you will see different dogs for the most part

[lvoss]

It also doesn't have to be physical exercise. Mental exercise will also help them burn excess energy. Using things like food dispensing toys for meals instead of feeding out of a bowl can really make a difference in their energy level.

[mmp2011]

Thank you all for your compliments on these dogs! Tanza, they were listed as Basenji mixes so maybe that was incorrect? However after reading up on the breed they do exemplify many of the same behavioral traits. Yes we are thinking about getting an invisible fence which I said I would never do as I think those shock collars are inhumane but it's also inhumane to keep these animals inside sitting still. Since they are so smart they should catch on quickly at a low setting I hope. Lvoss, I will look into the dispensing toys which sounds like something they would love. I just fed them and the little one threw up because her "sister" wouldn't stop rough housing w/her!! I really need to get that under control.

[KMac]

I love them! they are so pretty!
I can not belive how much your pups look like my dog. Mine is a mix too. Not sure with what. Adorable. I really wonder what kind they are. Kentucky came from a Kentucky shelter and is about 8-10 months old. here is a picture!

[eeeefarm]

@mmp2011:

Yes we are thinking about getting an invisible fence which I said I would never do as I think those shock collars are inhumane but it's also inhumane to keep these animals inside sitting still. Since they are so smart they should catch on quickly at a low setting I hope.

I would not use invisible fence without a physical barrier as backup. The issue isn't the shock. (IMHO, it is far less inhumane than too much crate time) The issue is the fact that the fence doesn't prevent other dogs or people from accessing your dogs, and the fact that some dogs will learn to run through it. Proper conditioning is essential, and not everyone covers this step as well as they should. Bottom line, unless you live out in the country well away from hazards, I would not trust them inside invisible fence without your supervision.

[DebraDownSouth]

Have to agree– invisible fences are horrible unless you are out there with them at all times. They learn to bolt through, then don't come back in.

[nobarkus]

Someone posted here recently having lost and later found their Basenji having run through an invisible fence because it was frightened by thunder.

[gbroxon]

We've had invisible fencing (the REAL Invisible Fence brand which included rigorous, mandatory professional training) for three dogs (rottie, dobie, basenji) in a rural area. Worked a charm for each one, and is still working for my B-Boy. I'd recommend it in a heartbeat if your circumstances were right. We reinstated it for Magnum when he was close to two years' old (we got him when he was a little over one, and he's almost 8 now). With two acres "fenced," once he learned the boundaries, he rarely tests them now, and steps back (or circles round, if he's running) to a safe area when he hears a warning chirp. He's chased many animals and turns back when he hears the chirp. Basenjis may be prey driven, but they don't like to be startled and shocked either. I believe his first thought is, "Go back to where I was" when he hears a chirp from the collar, prey be danged.

Two acres of freedom versus a walk on a leash or circling a 1/4 acre fenced-in yard? Since he's always supervised and in a rural area, I think it's worth the risk. Just my opinion, of course.

[Patty]

You'd definitely need supervision with an invisible fence. Obviously from gbroxon's experience they work for her Basenji but I think you could expend a lot of money and find it just wouldn't work.

Basenjis, in the main, do have incredible prey drive (I must admit it does seem latent in some) and if attractive prey was outside the fence not even a strong shock would stop them.

Personally I'd find a way to check them out before investing more money.

Lovely dogs and you're very brave to rescue two without experience, especially if they do have strong Basenji characteristics..

[eeeefarm]

If you really want to be sure your dog responds appropriately to invisible fence, it is essential to "proof" it properly. After you have thoroughly conditioned the animal to the fence, you need to use very high value distractions or lures while you are present (but not visible) to observe behavior. It's the only way to be reasonably sure your dog will not bolt through the fence, and then you still have the problem of other dogs or people possibly trespassing and causing a problem, since there is nothing to keep them out.

In the country, invisible fence can work well, although there is still the chance that the dog will learn to run through it. My friend uses it at her farm, and one of her three dogs (not Basenjis) will go through the fence if the temptation is strong enough.