Problems that we must be able fix . . .

[pts123]

About three months ago we went through medical issues that took the life of our beloved boy ?Skeeter?. We got much support from this Forum making the process a bit more bearable. He had pancreas, diabetic issues that became too much and he died. That left his lifelong buddy ?Heidi? alone. She just kind of moped around for a long time and we decided to find her a new friend.

We filled out a request at BRAT and began receiving emails. Then we ran across a boy that was in Southern Missouri from Tonya Ahrens. This young B was found wondering the streets in Wichita and was removed from a shelter. Without papers, a name or knowledge of his age we decided to Foster him and see if we could give him a permanent home. He has been in our home only a few days now. We have given him the name of ?Rocky? because he is a stocky boy, but he is definitely all Basenji. His age is estimated at somewhere between 2 and 5 and he is very easy going.

?Heidi? has accepted him and we were expecting more of a problem. She is very much the Alpha in this home and ?Rocky? has accepted it, ignoring her occasional growling at his every move. But, and it?s a big but, he does a couple things that are deal breakers and the last thing we want to do is return a Fostered B. While Tonya was still here going over the Fostering paperwork, ?Rocky? marked a couple spots in our house. She told us one trick you can do is wrap a towel or something around his stomach and when he does that he ends up going on himself. We tried it, but he just ripped it off and I guess, I don?t blame him.

We can understand the marking to a point and assume it will end eventually, but we have noticed a far worse problem. ?Rocky? has found a corner of our family room, that we hadn?t noticed. A couple times now he has pooped. I?m afraid it being the same spot that he will continue? We have seen him outside doing it and then realized he came in and did it again, right afterwards.

We have gone through the process of house breaking new B?s before, but ?Rocky? is somewhere between 2 and 5 years old and not sure how to go about that process now. I have given him a scolding and let him know not to do it. He has open door privileges to our fenced in back yard and can go out anytime he needs to go. So, that is the problem and not sure the best way to handle it. Any suggestions would be appreciated, thanks

?Heidi? is the picture on the left and ?Rocky? is on the right.

Jerry and Dana Dwyer in KC

[tanza]

Back to basic housetraining 101…. just as if he were a puppy. And scolding him unless you are catching him in the act serves no purpose as they really do not have any idea what you are scolding them for....

[khanis]

Do you know Rocky's life situation?
Was he a kennel dog?
Was he crated all day long?

You aren't training a puppy, which BTW, is a fairly speedy process.
This is an adult dog that has learned habits that will take time to break.
That is life and it won't happen overnight.
He may have spent 2 year learning these haibts.
Give him time.

Personally, when I get a rescue dog in, and they have accidents in my house… I clean them up. I tell them know.. but in no way to I scold them to hurt their feelers when I am first evaluating them.
I do take them outside to potty with other dogs and praise them for going potty.
If they still have accidents a week or two into my home, I will let [with my assistance of course] them sniff their own stuff…. AND tell them know.
That has never failed to work.
Basenjis DO pick things up quickly... but using harsh words from the get-go may not work with a dog that has had a less than stellar home-life.

[sharronhurlbut]

Take him out like you would a puppy, to area's where the other dogs go…and give him a special treat, when he goes there.
Sometimes, when folks have big houses, dogs don't know where to go to get outside.
So, I would keep him with you and block off rooms where you are not..watch, him and take him out after eating, playing, or sleeping.
Use a good clearner to break up the house soiling and watch your b...he should be fine soon...

[thunderbird8588]

Congratulations on your new Boy, Rocky. He looks great.
Sorry you are having some problems, i agree with what others have posted that you will have to go back to square 1 with house training.

[Kananga]

I would think it may take as much as a few weeks for a re-homed adult B to get settled, in regards to these types of issues, although I could be wrong.

It took my B about a week or two to finally get the routine down. He was only 8 months when I got him, but he was clearly housebroken prior. The new environment was a bit of a stirrup for him and I needed to start with the basics. I would only imagine this is the same frustration with Rocky. He just needs some guidance to get settled in to his new home.

Just make sure you use a good solution w/ enzymes that can break down the odor when cleaning up. Doing that and sticking to a routine should help make this go by much quicker.

[Quercus]

How long have you had him?

[pts123]

@Quercus:

How long have you had him?

We've had him only a few days, but he's lifted his leg to mark a new spot a few times everyday and it hasn't slowed down. Everyone seems to be saying to take it slow, but it's not easy!!

We had two B's for almost 10 years and never had this problem. I just hope we didn't rush inot this too quickly, thanks for all the feedback.

Jerry and Dana in KC

[Quercus]

It does take time. Good advice given here. Try to catch him in the act, and yell loud enough to startle him, but not to scare the h$ll out of him. And take him outside. Make it clear to him that is NOT the place to do it, without making him feel defensive. I am sure he is overwhelmed and confused.

Take it as a compliment He is saying I really like this place, and I would like to mark it as mine. Once the dog settles in, they usually stop trying to send the "mine" message. Also, if he was recently neutered, this IS the time of year that Basenjis go into "rut". We just had our first leg lifting in the house in YEARS, because our young male has been struck by breeding season. Our old male lifted his leg once when we moved into the house, and never did again.

[sharronhurlbut]

Are you using something like Natures Miracle to spay on the area's he has alread peed?
This does work.
Keep him with you, take him out often and after wake up and meals and praise when he goes outside.
He will get it…

[Patty]

A cheaper alternative is to spray white vinegar on the 'smelly' spots. Its usually very effective.

I'm sure it's worth your perseverance and patience in the matter of going indoors. Please, please don't give up on him - as advised treat his house training as though he were a puppy.

Previously he may have been punished in some way for peeing/pooing indoors (even screaming at him could have been a punishment - not necessarily physical). There could be a lot to contand with.

[srjeeper]

**Jerry & Dana,

Don't be to hard on yourselves or Rocky.

This is a new situation for all of you and just think how many changes Rocky's been thru. You folks have eachother, but Rocky's in a totally new environment where he doesn't know a soul yet.

Heck, put me in that situation and I'd pee in your corner too. :p

Positive reinforcement and praise will get you there much faster than scoldings. There's a time to be firm, but till he gets more comfortable, he needs reassurance.

Your doing a good job, your still realing over your loss and startin over with a new boy all at the same time.

Hang in there…..you'll be glad you did. :D**

[Segbwema]

It is wonderful that you took a rescue into your family. Thanks so much. Here are a few things I have heard people try over the years.

1. Keep him on a long leash (like 8-10 ft) tied to you or another responsible person when he is in the house. That way you can begin to identify clues when he is getting ready to mark and put him outside. Continue until the problem stops because he has learned what you want and wants to be off the leash.

If he was just recently neutered, it might be residual hormones behind this. So a few weeks might help.

I have heard people say a new dog in the house needs a room that is his. A place filled with his scent and no other animals. Helps he build confidence. I don;t know if this is true but when you are desperate, anything is worth trying.

There are underpants for bitches in heat (place for tail to come out). Some people have tried this when males piss inside as they absolutely hate it when they get in on themselves. The male dog wears them for a week after the last time it looks like he is going to raise his leg … Then if it reccurs, they go back on again (only when in the house obviously). Again I have not had this problem, but the panties did stay on an older bitch I had who was becoming incontinent. I thought she would bite them off but the ones I got were really well made.

Keep us posted on his progress. A loving basenji is worth a few cleanups!

[mustBcrazy]

sorry for your lost, but they say when one door closes another opens,this you save another b..my 2 cent is we still have a 8 month old,and two labs which are of course house broken but getting a puppy… only thing i can say is be observant,tricks learned from here helped us out, we still keep a pee pad down, only once in a blue moon does she use it,shes learn to go when the other dogs go out , but if she been running around the house or rough housing with the others out she goes, learned that when she stops its time