I'll speak from my experience only as I am far from having a huge knowledge on this. My B was extremly crate phobic!!! one day I came home (after being gone for only an hour) and she had wedged herslf half way through the door, between the 2 latches (stuck at waist level)! I was horrified and never used the crate on her after that, she was 5 months and she is now 9 months. What I did was leave her in the house for 5 min increments at a time and made sure it was "puppy proof" before I left. So slowly but surely I was up to a couple of hours with no problem. After the crate incident I tried putting her in the bathroom, no luck either, there was so much poop and everything I had put in there was destroyed! So now we leave her to roam about the house (we close the bedroom doors since it's carpet just in case). She was extremly, I guess you could say chlostrophobic , she's like that even in the car until I put the convertable top down then she is fine. Although if I have to leave her for more than 4 hours I bring her to a great doggy day care, look into those, I know the ones here are better than most child day care, and pretty affordable. The 1st step is I would try to step out of the house for just 5 min, and see if she has destroyed anything. Mia is usually fast asleep on her fav chair when we get home and happy as a clam. IMO I think the enclosed space tells them something is wrong, meanwhile if they can go the places they usually can go they might just think you are in another room doing something else. but the others have much more experience in this field than I do, so try their options. Good luck as I know how frustrating it is
My vet has me given Aspen a 22 lbs dog 25 milligrams {pill} or if u get the liquid cuz its watered down 2 TEASPOONS 10CC if u have a syringe again i would use this short term until u can find a thing that will work for the 2 of u
I do appreciate your crate retraining info. I'd be glad to try to make it work. As well as you putting me in contact with your friend. If you could kindly answer a question regarding the crate training, I do believe I'd be able to make it work. You say that I cannot crate her while retraining her, but rather find her an alternative while I retrain her. First off, how long does this process typically take? I'm asking for planning purposes, if I would possible need to take her to doggie day care, then I could plan that in for the time it could possible take. Second, do you recommend a crate where she has a little extra room or one that allows her to stand up, turn around and lay back down?
NO one can tell you how long it will take to re-train could be days, weeks, or months….. or even if it will ever work.. some just can't be crated... and yes I would recommend a crate with some room... what size have you been using?
But i do have to add if your only given her the benadryl and not the running then it won't work as well . All the Benadryl is going to do is add to her being alittle sleepy and calm her nerves alittle so she's not freaking out as much but if she's not getting the exercise before it might acaully make her NOT sleepy and calm and just freak out more So PLEASE don't just give her that and not the exercise cuz u don't want it working backwards for u or her.
But i do have to add if your only given her the benadryl and not the running then it won't work as well . All the Benadryl is going to do is add to her being alittle sleepy and calm her nerves alittle so she's not freaking out as much but if she's not getting the exercise before it might acaully make her NOT sleepy and calm and just freak out more So PLEASE don't just give her that and not the exercise cuz u don't want it working backwards for u or her.
And even with benadryl, if she is already starting to get hyper when you give it..it could and sometimes does make it worse… just like Phoenix says....
Sad to say, but there is no quick fix to a phobic crate dog....
But i do have to add if your only given her the benadryl and not the running then it won't work as well . All the Benadryl is going to do is add to her being alittle sleepy and calm her nerves alittle so she's not freaking out as much but if she's not getting the exercise before it might acaully make her NOT sleepy and calm and just freak out more So PLEASE don't just give her that and not the exercise cuz u don't want it working backwards for u or her.
Also, Benadryl makes some dogs MORE excitable instead of less.
When I first acquired EL D, he had a reputation for total destruction with the previous owner. He destroyed two crates (even though he used to live in crates), tore up bathroom, destroyed furniture, etc etc. whenever left alone I brought him home knowing all this. I never did meds but instead I arranged a couple days of vacation and spent time to work with EL 
since he couldn't be crated again, first I stayed with him loose in the kitchen (doors to rest of house were closed or I put up a gate- gate had plexiglass instead of wood or plastic bars, so nothing for him to chew), he had lots of toys, and his bed. Of course I spent as much time as I could playing with him (I have a fenced yard) or taking him for walks (even now ith the cold we still go outside if only for 5 minutes). When evening came I would sit in the kitchen reading or whatever, gradually turning down lights, until he calmed down. Then I'd go to bed. In the mornings I would get up extra early and let him play and run in the yard for exercise. Over the next couple of days I would begin to leave the house for short periods, leaving a talk radio on, kong toys available, and gradually my absences getting longer. Eventually I began to open other rooms of the house to him. All this time he never destroyed anything worthwhile (toys yes, papers yes - no big deal) despite his reputation. Now he has full run of the house with no problems.
I guess I don't understand why you say an expen won't work before you even try it. There have been a lot of good suggestions here. Personally, I would not try the Benedryl, for reasons mentioned AND b/c you have no idea when it will wear off. Have you tried a DAP? (I don't think that's the sole answer, but part of the solution.) Have you tried another behavourist? If she used to be okay in the crate, but is now having severe problems with it, have you tried looking for a medical based reason? (Full thyroid pannel? An off thyroid can cause behavoir problems.) If the basement is a remote place, then it is not a good crate place. I live in a house that is about 1100 square feet. In the living room I have 2 crates AND an expen. One crate for the baby (13month old basenji), one crate for the malinois and an expen for the tri-ing basenji. In the expen there are 2 beds, a doggie sleeping bag, a heated pad, 2 blankets, some toys/bones/etc and it is infront of the sliding glass window so he can catch some rays. (It is a regular sized xpen, you just can't see the floor in there.) He loves being in there, in fact, all the dogs love being in there. Yes, depending on where you're trying to go, some of those things are in the way, but the dogs are happy.
It is very important that you don't use correction based training with this. It is a phobia. Susan Garrett has a new dvd out called Crate Games. It's a good video and while it isn't created for your type of situation, it might be a part of the solution and will be helpful in re-training. Also, I'll be Home Soon by McConnell should also help. Both of those are available at dogwise.com.
As to how long this takes, it really depends on you and how severe her phobia is. It always takes much longer to re-train a behavior.
I know it sounds like we are slamming you, but we want you to see your the one with the power.
It won't be easy, and it won't be quick…if that is the type of answer you were looking for, then really, you DO need to rehome this dog.
BUT given you have said you love this b and want to make it work, then YOU need to make it happen.
Again, we will support, but its not going to be quick and you will have to do some thing to make this dog happy.
Sorry, if this sounds harsh, but that is the reality.
I have been reading these posts and trying to figure out if or how to weigh in.
Most of you who've been here at least a few months know that I live with Keoki – if not the King, then the Prince of Separation and Crate Anxiety, not to mention a few other little "mental quirks". And you all know how much I ADORE my baby boy!!!!
He came to us at about 3 mos old. We already had one older mixed breed dog, and a 2 yr old Basenji female. We expected a few nights of crying, but nothing prepared us for the month of SCREAMING and crate tearing that would follow. He not only completely destroyed any bedding that was in the crate with him, but also did a good bit of damage to the crate itself.
I wound up spending nearly 8 mos sleeping on the floor in front of his crate, repeating all night, "Keoki, go to bed; go to bed....." It was the only way he'd sleep at all.
During the days when he had to be left alone -- which are seldom because I am a stay-at-home mom, he was always SCREAMING when we left the house, and SCREAMING when we got home.
I tried Rescue Remedy, which calmed him somewhat but didn't solve the problem. I stopped using that once I really grasped that the truly active ingredient was alcohol.
I went to a behaviorist/vet who had some good tips, and who also prescribed medications. The first medication seemed to work at first, for a couple of hours, then turned my dog into a crazy drunk.
The second medication did indeed calm him and help him to sleep. But it also changed his personality in a negative way.
The only thing that has brought us any peace is: Putting both of the Basenji crates inside an ex-pen {you can get fairly small ex-pens, if space is problem, BTW. And you just get extra panels for the top and bottom}.
I cannot latch his crate, and I cannot leave any bedding at all inside when he's in there and we are not home.
At first, it didn't help much -- he tore up the outside of both his and Jazzy's {the other B}crates a good bit, and he somehow managed to pull our other dogs bed into the ex-pen through those little tiny squares and tore it all up.
Now he sleeps okay in his crate, as long as it is unlatched and inside the ex-pen. {During the day, he goes in there all the time to sleep.}. Sometimes he crams into Jazzy's crate also, which doesn't thrill her and occasionally causes a small "disagreement".
When we leave him in there during the day, I replace all real bedding with paper towels. He has only recently stopped destroying those.
He now sleeps all night -- that was a goal achieved in November, when Keoki was around 11 mos old.
Our problem is not "solved", but we have a solution we can live with for the time being. Eventually, I'd like to see him over these things, but we'll see..... for now, I am content!
I guess my whole point with this rambling tale is that you are most likely facing a long and tedious battle. Crate fears and Separation anxiety do NOT have easy fixes. Even medical treatments -- IF they work -- are designed to be temporary while you work on behavior training.
You have to be prepared to be in it for the long haul. And if the whole family isn't on board with it, it can get very unpleasant {My dh was NOT happy about the situation, believe me!}
These dogs are so worth it, though. I hope you are able to to work through this.
When I adopted my girl, I was told to crate her but she had terrible anxiety attacks when she went into the crate. What I did was make sure she got a long walk every morning before I'll leave the house, and I know it's not easy but I was up at 4AM to take her out. If weather is a problem, try her on a treadmill. She needs to be tired when you leave. The other thing I did was to basenji proof my house. I had to put child safety locks on my kitchen cabinets because she could open then up. Every once in awhile she would do something but never anything significant. The nipping sound like more frustration then anything. I got my girl because the person who had her before said she was mean and out of control and gave her up. I really believe that comes out of frustration.
I think a behaviorist who believes there is no hope for a dog shouldn't be working with dogs. You may want to try someone else.
@kng:
I think a behaviorist who believes there is no hope for a dog shouldn't be working with dogs. You may want to try someone else.
AMEN!!!
Amen, Amen, Amen.
I've just spent the evening trying to catch up on everyone's suggestions. And I've come across some good ideas. And in response with the xpen, the reason it's not an option is because where I currently live there is just no space. Literally. I had to move in with my father and it's his home, in which case there is one area that may be used for a xpen, if it hadn't been a room full of priceless item's belonging to my dad. I did discuss this option to see if there was anywhere else we could put it, and there is not. I have contacted a couple trainers/behaviorists around the area and am awaiting their response. I will be getting her a new crate this week and plan on moving it to a more desirable area for her. She is potty trained however, leaving her out even if she's in my room, she has been having accidents for some reason, even if she's in there for a short time. What do you give a dog for toys, when she really doesn't touch them to begin with, and doesn't want anything to do with them while she's crated? I've tried peanut butter or cheese when I leave the house to distract her as she likes those, and it seems to help for short periods but then she gets distressed again. Hopefully I can put a structured plan together to make this work for her. I know when I'm able to move into a place that is my own, I would then try the xpen, just right now, it's not an option for me. I'm trying to work around a very stubborn dad, and my b can be very stubborn herself.
Have you had her checked for a UTI? If she has a UTI, she would be uncomfortable and having accidents in the house and in her crate which could be contributing to the phobia. It is hard to feel good about a place when you are in pain or discomfort.
Also, when was the last time you strip tested her urine for glucose?
I will be getting her a new crate this week and plan on moving it to a more desirable area for her. to begin with, and doesn't want anything to do with them while she's crated? I've tried peanut butter or cheese when I leave the house to distract her as she likes those, and it seems to help for short periods but then she gets distressed again. Hopefully I can put a structured plan together to make this work for her. I know when I'm able to move into a place that is my own, I would then try the xpen, just right now, it's not an option for me. I'm trying to work around a very stubborn dad, and my b can be very stubborn herself.
I can't recall, so if you've already answered this or if it's been suggested I apologize, but what kind of crate do you have? While I prefer the plastic crates, a wire crate would be the closest to an ex-pen, and would allow her to feel not-so-closed-in.
And the treats don't work with Keoki either. Even things he LOVES, when we're all home together get completely ignored in the crate/pen when we leave him.
I feel sorry for you and your dog. I had to move back in with my parents after being on my own for a couple years and it sucked to say the least. He hated my dog so that didn't help.
We too have a crate phobic basenji. He is in an expen during the day. They really aren't that big, just tall. I have been to a trainer to help with his anxiety and I got a collar that has the DAP pheremones in it. It seems to help a little. It only lasts for a month though. That is a thought. Also, the nice thing about these little dogs is that you can exercise them in the house. We chase Dash around in the evenings if it is to cold and it helps take the edge off. We do have second dog to keep him company though. At this point I don't think that there is any amount of drugs that will make her feel comfortable in the crate. I don't think your vet and obviously not the behaviorist you have used has any knowledge of Basenjis. The suggestions you have gotten here are probably the best you can get. Getting her to like the crate may never happen.
The day care idea is great! Do you maybe have a friend that could take her until you can get a place of your own? Basenji's need to be with their pack if not you then someone can give her attention and love. It almost seems like you are too stressed out about the situation to think clearly.
Dash makes some good points and the fact that you are stressed due to the situation and trying to make everyone happy… feeds down to your Basenji... she can pick up on your stress and that might be why she is having accidents in your bedroom....
I think I may have posted these earlier, but just to give an idea to the newbies: This is what Keoki was able to do to Gypsy's bed, which was OUTSIDE the ex-pen, and to a pillow that I foolishly left atop the ex-pen.
He was clearly not happy about being in the pen when I went out.
and here's an inside look at what it USED to look like inside Keoki's crate and inside Jazzy's crate. Since this time he's gotten into her crate and now her bed is also torn all to heck. LOL
He has, as I mentioned previously, begun to calm down a bit and I think I'm going to buy them new beds this payday and see how he does with them.
One of my breeders gives the dogs a new roll of papertowels in the crates.
They spend time tearing them to bits, and then have a soft place to rest when they get tired.
Course, you take the plastic off the roll…
He has never had any issues with b's eating the papertowels or any obstructions.
So, thougth I would pass this tip along to you all.
Wowza! Talk about destruction!
