Skip to content

Change in travelling behavior

Behavioral Issues
  • For many years my basenjis would ride in the passenger seat in a car harness. Gossy also started out this way but became increasingly unsettled - jumping around and trying to climb unto my arm, etc. So she now rides in a kennel (I have a small pickup with an extended cab so can only fit one soft-side kennel behind the seat). But she is even worse than before - howling, screaming, crying, shreaking like a banshee-tasmanian devil - and still bouncing around in the kennel. I do redirect the heater so more of it goes her way when its cold out and open the wing windows for her in the summer. It's not funny and can at times be distracting to me - I'm not so sure I want to travel long distances with her any more. She does calm down significantly when we return from wherever we went but going is a different story. Lately I've tossed some treats in the kennel either before she gets in or afterward but sometimes she just ignores them (and this is a super food-oriented doggie). Any suggestions on getting her to calm down?

  • You have a boy now also, right? Where is he, home or also in the car?

  • With the kennel behind the seat, do you mean on the floor? Can she see out the window? I know if I transport any of my chihuahuas in an enclosed kennel on the floor, they scream and shake, but if I put it up on the seat and belt it in so they can look out the window, they do better. Also I get a lot of car sickness if they are down there, too.

  • If one's traveling the other has to stay home (only 1 kennel fits in my vehicle).
    I did build a little platform behind the seats but the kennel is still below window level and there's only a narrow space between the seats so not much visibility forward either - perhaps that's the problem.

  • @wizard:

    If one's traveling the other has to stay home (only 1 kennel fits in my vehicle).
    I did build a little platform behind the seats but the kennel is still below window level and there's only a narrow space between the seats so not much visibility forward either - perhaps that's the problem.

    Did this start or get worse after you got the boy?

  • It started several months before the second dog arrived.
    Maybe the lack of visibility is the issue - I raised the platform yesterday so the kennel sits a little higher (though maybe not high enough) so we'll see tonight (of course it will be dark out and cold so probably not a good test).

Suggested Topics

  • strange behavior

    Behavioral Issues
    2
    0 Votes
    2 Posts
    2k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    First, yeah they do the flip and butt in face. I see it as invitation to play/chase mostly. Kind of shaking my head here over the rest. You already have a breed known for dominance and protectiveness of property/family with the Boerboel. Basenjis (I assume you mean 6.5 not 65 years old :) ) are not known for tolerating same sex. Sometimes they do, but not a sure bet. Plus, your Boerboel is still a puppy. By age 2 or 3, that compliance with the Basenji being alpha can go down the drain at a drop of a hat. That happens, and he hasn't killed the basenji... you have to keep 2 packs running, ensuring they never have contact. Then you bring in a mixed breed... which is all a Mastador is. No way on earth to know how much it will take after the lab side or the Mastiff. AND it's another male. So now you have potentially 3 dog aggressive male dogs, with 2 of them large enough to inhale the basenji. I am not sure about the breeders who placed the Boerboel, certainly not the owners letting you bring in the Mastador. I want my male dogs to have a chance of a peaceful, unstressful life. I think the chances in your home are already approaching really low numbers, and the Mastador is going to bring that closer to zero. The safety of that poor basenji is beyond precarious. I wouldn't want those 3 males in the most experienced of homes, one already fully ready to and experienced in running separate packs. I sincerely hope you reconsider the Mastador. And no, getting a female won't help. Until the Boerboel is fully mature and you have a handle on what your pack is, adding any dog is going to up the risk of issues.
  • Major behavior change after 10 years!! Help!

    Behavioral Issues
    22
    0 Votes
    22 Posts
    12k Views
    J
    @rocky1 I'm so very sorry for your loss. They become such a part of our souls. I've already had a few tears over just the thought of what it will be like without him.
  • Poopy behaviors

    Behavioral Issues
    7
    0 Votes
    7 Posts
    4k Views
    TimesthemythT
    This is an interesting thread. Any afghan owners notice this in their dogs as well? When Beo was younger, back when I was using the crate with him, when he would have a 'poop' accident he would take a blanket and use his nose to encircle said accident, didn't do the same thing with pee accidents….I don't know if it's the same thing or not, honestly I think he just wanted it as far away from him as possible. He still does this mounding behavior with like bones and the like; he'll use his nose and push a blanket or something on top of it, and then further us his nose to bunch it up into a relatively good looking circle shape. He won't have anything to do with dog feces now though ....he prefers to go in the bushiest/covered area he can find, and then wants absolutely nothing to do with it afterwards (I have to literally drag him through public areas where there's a lot of dog poop lying around).... It is kind of funny to see his "wide-eyed, EW! ICK!" reaction when he accidentally steps in some. Seems like it's more common for basenjis to half halfheartedly attempt to bury it, as opposed to take the time to cover it up with their noses?
  • Behavior Worsens?

    Behavioral Issues
    13
    0 Votes
    13 Posts
    4k Views
    BasenjimammaB
    I can see that it is easier to read lighter colors, i.e reds, Otis is a very dark brindle, so unless you stand over him, you can hardly see his wrinkles/expression..
  • Outside Behavior

    Behavioral Issues
    24
    0 Votes
    24 Posts
    7k Views
    KanangaK
    @LBRunyon: I have a supplementary question along these same lines . We got our BRAT Ricky two weeks ago ( YIPPEE!!!! ) He is WONDERFUL . The only problem we are having is that he WILL NOT potty in our fenced in yard . In fact , it seems he won't go within 1 block of our house . We walk in the am and pm . He is very particular about where he will go, though he sniffs every available surface . While the weather is nice , I really don't mind this . We would be walking anyway . But when the frigid cold hits , it would be nice to open the door and have him go out , do his business quickly , and return . We have tried waiting him out in hopes of praise and treats once he goes in the yard . But Mr. iron- bladder- steel- sphincter WON'T go in the yard. Are there any suggestions ?Oh , by the way, once we are out of the yard and down the street he goes after a few quick sniffs . I have to take my B outside no matter what. It's nice during the spring/summer/fall, but the midst of winter is just simply brutal. -20F with a nice wind (colder windchill) will make any B go quickly, but it's still painful for us humans.
  • Odd behavior change with guests

    Behavioral Issues
    8
    0 Votes
    8 Posts
    3k Views
    QuercusQ
    <> Cute! Good idea too! I am truly not offended :) I think I just misread the post. Nothing worse than giving advice when it wasn't wanted...and I felt bad that I might have stepped on your toes :)