Skip to content

Potty Training

Basenji Training
  • Hello Fellow Basenji owners,

    We just got our 11 week old Basenji last week. He was litter trained by the breeder so we have continued this to ease his transition. The problem is he won’t go outside and is prone to have accidents in the house even after he has gone in the litter pan. I am thinking I should give it more time but could use some suggestions!

  • Ohhhhh you have a long road ahead of you! Hahaha. I have a puppy myself and just when I think he’s got it I step in another puddle! 11 weeks is very very young to expect him to be house trained. Give it a few more months.

    Be consistant. After a nap, after he plays hard, after he eats, right when you get home, every hour..outside! Praise him like crazy when he gets it right.

    It has been my experience that basenjis take awhile to house train. He will get it!

  • Thank you so much! Appreciate the advice!

  • Be observant. Learn the signs and react quickly. A week isn't much time to make that transition, but it seems strange that he isn't using the litter if he was trained to it. I don't agree that Basenjis are difficult to house train, but perhaps males are slower to learn than females. My girls were very quick to understand and become reliable.

  • @jacesmom - If you take him immediately outside after naps, eating, playing he will go outside.... but you have to take him... not expect him to tell you he needs to go out. Way to young for that. And I litter box train my pups and tell new owners to make that change from litter box to outside, take some of the litter you are using and put it out side, they pick up the idea pretty quick.

    Many of us are related by our Basenjis, who did you get him from?

  • Ditto Tanza's comments. Be consistent about taking him to potty (whether the litter box or ourside) and at regular intervals for now. When he does go, be sure to praise him (so he knows it's a good thing to go "when asked") and give a treat. Move the litter box to the doorway then to outside so he gets the idea - you can also train a particular area in the yard as well if desired. Always praise and or treat when he goes when you take him - that will help.

  • Great feedback. Thanks everyone! I got my pup from Kabars Basenjis in Poulsbo Washington. The breeder partners with Khani’s Basenjis in Portland.

  • My Dog used a Litter Box until 12 Weeks of Age. After that, I took her to the Horse Farm and let her 'Pack' with older well-trained Dogs. She mimicked their behaviors and she learned how to Sit, Stay, Come when called and lay down. The Dogs did a great job of training mine. I did not have very many problems. these dogs get a bad reputation for being hard to train but they really aren't. They are very stubborn and would rather die than negotiate. Therein lies the importance of understanding the Dog's body language, that tells you all you need to know. They are extremely intelligent and never forget a thing, including people and other animals. Good luck with it!

Suggested Topics

  • Crate training

    Basenji Training
    38
    0 Votes
    38 Posts
    5k Views
    elbrantE
    @sanjibasenji said in Crate training: I have much respect for that accumulated knowledge, but, not to sound rude, that does not make that person a certified or licensed trainer. I actually was offended by what you posted. You said you respect the knowledge, but disregard it because they aren't a "certified or licensed trainer"? These are well-intentioned breeders who volunteer to engage with others on the Forum in an attempt to educate and celebrate this amazing dog breed. They share their knowledge. You don't have to agree with them. Offer your opinion and move on. Please don't suggest that their opinion, experience, and education isn't valid because they aren't "certified" or "licensed". Your overall intent screams that you believe yourself to be better than the rest of us: "I'm a scientist with a PhD." Which puts the rest of us beneath you? In education and social stature? You couldn't know about anyone's socioeconomic status, educational achievements, or expertise on any subject. But you deemed to think it was appropriate to put us in our place. And that, was rude. Even the analogy you offered is an indication that you don't value anyone who doesn't have a degree. Frankly, if you are hearing conflicting opinions about the same piece of art, get a third opinion. The person with the degree may have just scraped by with a C+, while the person who devoted decades may have been under the tutelage of a Master Artist. And really, if you are planning to purchase such a prized piece of Art, shouldn't you educate yourself so you can make an intelligent decision instead of allowing others to tell you what to buy? As an aside: The original YouTube link remains, but we certainly do not need her entire catalog of videos. Sharing information is one thing, advertising for someone is another. I would hope that you understand that not everything you see online is true. Including claims to be an expert, certified, trained, Dr., etc., etc. Lots of people in the world are just selling a story.
  • 4 months old and difficult potty training

    Basenji Training
    28
    1 Votes
    28 Posts
    4k Views
    elbrantE
    @jkent said in 4 months old and difficult potty training: sometimes just looks at me when I give her the command to eat it, not understanding. She might be confused about the signals. Try eating a cracker while she's watching and then, setting her bowl down and telling her it's "okay" to eat. In the dog world, the boss (Alpha dog, or leader) eats first. Then the other dog(s) get to eat.
  • Training Question

    Basenji Training
    5
    0 Votes
    5 Posts
    2k Views
    elbrantE
    Just a suggestion: When you see him "misbehaving" by chewing on 'less than ideal' items, offer him one of his toys and use the word "trade". In other words, 'chew on this instead', and when he accepts the toy - praise him. And when you see him get the toy on his own, praise him again. It could help him understand that certain toys are just for those times when you want to "rip someone's head off*". (*not meant literally, only in doggy world play)
  • Needs Help-Potty Training

    Basenji Training
    4
    0 Votes
    4 Posts
    2k Views
    NerdyDogOwnerN
    It's a natural puppy instinct to NOT pee/poo outside their "cove". This is to prevent predators in finding them with their smells all round the area. Sometimes it takes longer for some to go outside. A neighbor of mine got a puppy, and they too where having a hard time with pee/poo inside. I told them to just take it easy, and don't punish. Spend a good time outside, and award when he/she does go outside. It took until their dog was 8 months until he started going regularly outside.
  • Potty training

    Basenji Training
    24
    0 Votes
    24 Posts
    13k Views
    tanzaT
    @lisatest: Does a puppy have soft poop and as the puppy gets older the poop becomes more solid? It has been a while since I had a puupy so I can't remember. No… a puppy should also have a solid poo...
  • Puppy pads and other potty training ?

    Basenji Training
    19
    0 Votes
    19 Posts
    7k Views
    JazzysMomJ
    @dmcarty: When mine are babies I do paper train them within the kitchen - then gradually reduce the amount of paper until just one section remaining. Then comes the interesting part - when they head for that paper - I know they need to go out. I also have a 'paper' by the door we use to go out to the dog yard - so head for paper - go outside - pretty quickly don't need paper at all as they go to the door. With adult dogs who know the 'door' I find that the puppies just follow and the previous generation teaches the new generation. (guess they only need me to bring the food) and they don't tear the paper? Geez, mine LOVE LOVE LOVE to shred paper. No paper on the floor is safe. I am amazed that yours leave it alone and actually use it properly!