Diggs Crate?

Basenji Training

  • @jengosmonkey Do you know what size (of this collapsable wire crate) would be most appropriate for a puppy/early training days? I am also bringing home my (first!) basenji in two weeks and am considering buying one puppy crate and then getting the medium size later on. Thanks!


  • @suzanne There's better people to ask. @tanza, @Zande, @DonC, @Pawla, @eeeefarm come to mind. I'd just go with the Medium if it were me. It comes with a removeable barrier that allows you to decrease the depth, so you don't have to get inside it if your little one hides all the way in the back. It'll last your dog's whole life too. I suppose you could get a Small. The X-Small looks like it'll work for a couple months. Not much longer though. I think I recall one member here saying that they wrap their crates in blanket during winter to make it warm and more den like.


  • In any case, a wire crate with all round visibility is infinitely preferable to one with solid sides.

    Frankly, my crates are all on the large side with 2 doors. I want the dog to be able to stand, sit up and stretch, and lie fully stretched out in total comfort.

    One is permanently in the car. My dogs have to ride in a crate. The idea of a Basenji running loose in the event of an accident is not one to contemplate.

    If you are using it indoors or if the pup is to sleep in it next to your bed at night, you can always chuck a blanket over a wire crate.

    I don't have the measurements of mine in my head but can check them later if anyone needs to know.

    It is important to crate train puppies. I took a smaller one to Mku's breeder who left it up and open in the play area so the whole litter could play, sleep, chew things and even be fed in it by turns. Anything to help the transition from puppy to permanent home. It goes along with putting collars on the babes, late at night when they are about 3 weeks old. They wake in the morning and it feels completely normal. They have forgotten life without a collar!!

    Just one more thing to help the new owner and the puppy.


  • I use the wire crates like pictured, but drape a towel over them to promote heat retention (basenjis are cold a lot) and quiet time.


  • Thank you all!! I am so excited to introduce you to my first Basenji in just two short weeks!!


  • @suzanne Make sure you tell us his registered name and that of his parents etc, so I can ensure he is in the on-line pedigree database !

    Actually, you probably know that already so we can add him and he will be there already when he arrives with you !


  • @zande - And many of us are related by our Basenjis.... if you supply sire/dam's registered names we can all check


  • @tanza AND perhaps we can add photos to the pedigrees - such a shame so few Forum Basenjis are even listed.


  • @aalas89 and @suzanne One thing you might really consider doing is keeping a crate in your bedroom for your pup to sleep in if you're not going to allow the pup to sleep in/on the bed with you. If you try to keep your pup in a crate in another room you'll discover that Basenjis are not silent. In fact they can be quite vocal. And loud. And persistent. If you chose not to let them sleep in the room with you it's ok. It might take some time, but they'll eventually train you that being with you is really the only solution.


  • Hey. I have my first Basenji and the diggs crate is great but I must admit it is heavy and bulky to take up and down the stairs. I had to buy an additional crate for travel because it was becoming too much. If you were looking for something to travel with I definitely wouldn’t recommend it especially because it is expensive. My puppy loves it though since he can see everything from it but you could get that from another crate.

Suggested Topics

  • Crate training

    Basenji Training
    8
    0 Votes
    8 Posts
    4k Views
    basenji_fanB
    When you feed him in the crate and close do you walk away? I had a foster that was terrified of the crate and also suffered terrible anxiety w/peeing in the crate too. So I would feed him in the crate and then close the door and sit right there with him. At first I only closed the door half way, did that way for about a week then was able to close it all the (without latching) for another week. I would sit right next to the crate and praise him for eating his meals. Then I would scoot a few feet back at one meal, move back at the next and do that for a for a few times. Then I would stay at the few feet back. It is a slow process but it really really helped him in his crate training process and getting him over his fear. I was soon able to feed him in his crate and walk away. He was running to his crate and sitting for his meals. He still had his anxiety for long periods w/the peeing problem but we even worked on that were we could leave for short times and he wouldn't pee in his crate
  • Crate Guilt

    Basenji Training
    23
    0 Votes
    23 Posts
    7k Views
    nobarkusN
    @Ann: Hi Dan. Thanks for your feedback. Noel will be 5 in November. (I don't know how she spent her first 4 years.) Our fence is 6' so other dogs can't get in…it's her reaction to them that could cause problems. I'm sort of a hyper worrier since Noel has a weak front leg. It was badly broken in December and, when there's squirrel/dog activity around the yard or in the alley behind us, she forgets about her leg and goes into a full run and jump mode. It's great to see her fly over our 2' stone ledge and run the periphery of yard like a guard dog or chase a squirrel back to its tree, but if left outside alone all day there's the potential that she'll overdo it and tire out her leg to the point of pain. I know I'm sounding over-protective...The vet recommends plenty of exercise but in small doses to avoid the fatigue thing. (I'll be posting some queries soon in relation to this!) OK Ann, now I see your dilemma here. This is a tuff one keeping a Basenji still or low activity especially when you're not there. The only other thing you could do is set up a kennel run or large dog pen to reduce the area. see this picture. http://www.seefido.com/html/dog_kennel_runs_pen_fence_.htm
  • Crate

    Basenji Training
    4
    0 Votes
    4 Posts
    2k Views
    RedVelvetLynxR
    I have the same story as nobarkus - we moved our first puppy's crate around a few times. Even from a full backyard view to a shared front bay window view (had to make room for B #2), she's always been pretty good. I think as long as the pup understands crate = happy place, you'll be fine with wherever. I used & still use treats. And to my much appreciated surprise, my little crate hater boy has become the model crated B of the 2 - he was soooooo vocal during his first month, but now he just lounges - and now my female is the whiner. :p
  • Crate Tray

    Basenji Training
    5
    0 Votes
    5 Posts
    3k Views
    wrx227wrcW
    I did, Pat. They are both Midwest and they wanted like $35 for each plus 20 shipping last I checked!! Foster&Smith seems like the cheapest. About $57 for one 36" and one 42" with shipping. Right now I've got George in a crappy old metal one (that has a rusted tray) and Pig is in one with a blanket. I decided I better get new ones just because I don't like him in the rusty one or Pig without a tray. I went to another pet store today and they wanted $40 and $37. Crazy! Thanks for the ideas guys…
  • Pooping in crate!

    Basenji Training
    47
    0 Votes
    47 Posts
    19k Views
    wrx227wrcW
    Piggy only has problems pooping when she gets panicky too. For example if we leave her home in a crate and someone comes in the house but doesn't come down to see her or let her out she will do it. We can't put anything in her crate or she shreds it, we tried everything. For a while I was even buying fleece baby blankets at the dollar store and tossing them if she pooped. We gave up on that after a while. The mess was terrible, so I can relate to hours of cleanup… by the time you get her cleaned up and the crate. We did some desensitizing and left for short periods like I described before, and that helped a lot. My friend that has a B went to the vet about her anxiety, hers would cry incessantly, and they actually gave her meds, prozac I think, for it. I think she tried it, but didn't think it worked enough to do it. Sounded crazy to me. It hasn't happened in a while so we have been lucky. She has come to terms with her crate now and will once in a while go hang out in it by choice, so I know she doesn't hate it. Have you tried one of those snuggle buddy things? I wonder if you could find some way to protect it if Darwin had an accident. Best of luck and lots of patience!
  • Water in crate?

    Basenji Training
    6
    0 Votes
    6 Posts
    3k Views
    B
    @etzbseder: Yeah, I guess I'm still just thinking about the heat. I know it gets really hot inside my room at my parents, and then Medjai does really need water. If you have good AC, or it's not that hot, they could be fine. Our house has great AC and is very comfortable. Thanks for the comments.