Skip to content

Outside Behavior

Behavioral Issues
  • Kananga has usually been very timely with going outside to do his business(I walk him outside to go). Rarely does he ever really take his time.

    I don't know if it's because of the warmer weather and he's trying to enjoy his time out there, but he is really taking considerably more time to go. Even after being away for 10 hours, he will still take his time to do his business. Which seems odd because usually he'll go right away.

    Is there something else that could be provoking such behavior? To give an example, normally I spend 15 minutes taking him out to go (including all of the time walking), and now it's sometimes double that. Meaning he's taking an extra 15-20 minutes sniffing around and showing no interest.

    I never let him go back inside until he finishes because I know he has to go, and it'll only provoke him to go inside. I'm curious to know how long adult Bs can hold their bladder.

    Any thoughts?

  • Sometimes you just have to be patient. They get picky on where and when to go. Maybe he holds it because he enjoys the walk with you and wants to make it last longer.

  • Tillo takes ages before he finally has found the right spot to pee.. Even in the morning he takes around 5 to 10 minutes to pee.. and the other business takes much longer ;)

    Maybe Kananga knows he goes back inside after he has done his business and wants to stay out longer?

  • He has always taken little time to find the right spot. This only started in the last couple weeks. I've had him since November of last year.

    It just seems odd he would hold it so long.

  • Maybe the weather is getting better.. more smells outside.. bitches in heat.

  • @Janneke:

    Maybe the weather is getting better.. more smells outside.. bitches in heat.

    Ah yes, that was my other thought. He is intact and his behavior is slightly different than it normally is. He has been very anxious outside. Constantly looking around with a different look on his face.

  • Well.. I (read: Tillo :D) have noticed more than one bitch in heat in the last few weeks.. And Tillo really doesn't need to see the girl to know :D :D ;)

  • I wouldn't be concerned. Gossy does the same thing - during winter she wanted nothing to do with being outside so her business was done quickly quickly. Now that the weather is nice she'll explore the yard for some time before she gets down to business. I've had to allow more "yard time" in the mornings before I go to work.

  • Basenjis seem to know when the girls are in season, and no, they don't have to be anywhere near them.

  • @nomrbddgs:

    Basenjis seem to know when the girls are in season, and no, they don't have to be anywhere near them.

    I'm thinking this might be it. We had some nice weather earlier in April and he did not act this way. It was very much out of the blue.

    I'll just remain patient with him…. :D

  • There is definitely a girl in season somewhere in our area…Brando is more anxious and a little bit more nibbly/mouthy...

    Also, now that the cold weather has broken, Brando takes his time going to the bathroom (both kinds)...no longer is there the urgency of the cold to get him to take care of business.

  • As to how long they can 'hold it'…10-12 hours for an adult is easy.
    Mine have a dog door and often don't go out between 8 pm and 10am or 12 noon the next day, that's 14-16 hours with nice weather and full access to the outdoors.

  • @MacPack:

    As to how long they can 'hold it'…10-12 hours for an adult is easy.
    Mine have a dog door and often don't go out between 8 pm and 10am or 12 noon the next day, that's 14-16 hours with nice weather and full access to the outdoors.

    Interesting. I've often wondered about this, never realized they can go that long.

  • If you put peeing, pooping on command that might make it more reliable and you can spend the rest of the time walking. I have run into that problem in the past where they will take their la-de-da time outside and not do anything.

  • Nemo makes a good point - get the bathroom behavior on a somewhat regular schedule (although an ex-trainer told me that routines are bad for dogs) - I've found over the years that worked really well for mine; allowing for some leeway.

  • I have a fairly consistent routine. With the weekends being an exception obviously. I think that always throws him off course.

    Surprisingly after I got home yesterday, everything was back to normal. He's not taking his time anymore. Even this morning he was not taking his time. So I wonder if it was something making him anxious as previously mentioned.

  • If it's raining outside my guy has gone up to 20 hours without going :eek:

  • Oh, yeah-if it's raining, that's taboo!

  • @wizard:

    Nemo makes a good point - get the bathroom behavior on a somewhat regular schedule (although an ex-trainer told me that routines are bad for dogs) - I've found over the years that worked really well for mine; allowing for some leeway.

    I guess I didn't mean necessarily a routine but more like a command like sit but "pee now". Patricia McConnell usually recommends this on her radio show when people are having difficulty getting their pet to go potty.

  • @Nemo:

    I guess I didn't mean necessarily a routine but more like a command like sit but "pee now". Patricia McConnell usually recommends this on her radio show when people are having difficulty getting their pet to go potty.

    Mine all have a command to go…but in the good weather, they still seem to take their time to go. Oh, and God forbid a leaf blows by while they are going, because they will stop and it will be another 5 - 10 minutes before they resume their "output". :rolleyes:

Suggested Topics

  • 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?
  • Aggressive Behavior

    Behavioral Issues
    6
    0 Votes
    6 Posts
    3k Views
    NemoN
    A way to do what Debra is suggesting in a game format is Crate Games, which you can get on DVD. You said this happens when you are getting ready to leave. Pay attention to exactly what you are doing before you leave and then see how your dog is reacting. You should be able to pick up on the cues that your dog is picking up on. You can try changing the pattern of how you get ready and potentially remove the cue to lessen the behavior until you can build the good associations others described. visit BCOA on Facebook. http://facebook.com/basenji.org
  • Basenji behavior in September

    Behavioral Issues
    6
    0 Votes
    6 Posts
    3k Views
    Shaye's MomS
    I agree that Basenjis are drama queens (and kings I guess, from this thread). When going to the dog park, my two girls are clipped by 4' leads to grommets in the back of our SUV. They sometimes walk around each other and get tied up, and the "fights" they get into when that happens would make anyone think total death and destruction was the only thing on their minds. But when we get to the park and untangle them, there's never a mark on either one. Same when they are "play fighting" at home - the noise they make, especially the B-mix, is really scary until you realize no damage is being done, and they are not serious about the whole thing.
  • Very bad behavior

    Behavioral Issues
    45
    0 Votes
    45 Posts
    17k Views
    Buddys PalB
    Hey Melissa, How did it go over the weekend? Did you get it to where the enclosed area can be his place while you are at work? I have had a B for 71/2 months now. They are unique on the one hand with some breed specifics, but a dog none the less. Any dog needs exercise and mental stimulation(esp B's! A tired Basenji is a Happy One!) and since they are social animals, they need companionship. It sounds like you are strapped financially like us all, but I can only offer you three alternatives: 1)doggy day care or a sitter, 2)another dog, 3)get him to a home where his needs will be met. It's not to be mean or belittle you, it is just that being fustrated is not healthy for you mentally or physically, nor your little boy.
  • Eating behaviors..

    Behavioral Issues
    16
    0 Votes
    16 Posts
    6k Views
    N
    Hello, I just wanted to send a quick update on Nulla. She is doing so well! We started a dog training course where my boyfriend and I are the alpha dogs. There is not treats involved and it has shown amazing results. Nulla has been in the course for about a month now. We have had no eating problems from her (no barfing, no not eating what we set our for her), no behavioral problems (no chewing my shoes, etc). She seems so happy and I am sure she is gaining weight (although I have not weighed her). I think dog training is completely necessary and we've seen HUGE results in Nulla. Everything I posted about before is no longer a concern. Thanks for all the input though. Take Care :)
  • Rude Behavior?

    Behavioral Issues
    5
    0 Votes
    5 Posts
    3k Views
    jessi76J
    @jys1011: How should you allow dogs to "meet"?? Neutral territory or in a home?? Should you use a gate in between first? Or just on leash?? I agree neutral territory is best - not in one or the other's home. if you must - do it outside. as for a meet & greet routine, I allow "first name, last name" first name = head or nose sniff. last name = toosh sniff. I let my dog meet & greet on leash, so I can correct any bad behavior. if all goes well, I let them play in a safe area (fenced or in house) and let them sort things out - supervised of course, incase a serious fight breaks out - but that hasn't happened (yet… knocks on wood).