Raising and Caring for your Basenji Puppy

Let's start with the most important first step in raising your Basenji - Potty! It is important to have a potty schedule for your Basenji puppy as soon as you get home.  This will be a critical first step in house training. Puppies can't control their bladders until 16 weeks old.  Take them out often in the beginning.  When they do go highly praise them with a treat. Use a one-word command like "potty" so they learn what this means. Once your Basenji puppy reaches 16 weeks of age its bladder strength is calculated based on the age of their month plus 1.  Example: A four-month-old Basenji puppy can hold their bladder for five hours. When they are little take them out often.  We recommend you visit Preventive Vet How To Potty Train A Puppy. This site has excellent potty training tips and an awesome flowchart graphic.

Teaching your Basenji puppy basic one-word commands will set them up for success. Basic commands like sit, stay, and come could prevent your Basenji from bolting out the door or coming back if they do. Gallant has put together 21 Essential Dog Commands to Teach Your Dog. This step-by-step instruction will help train these commands for your dog.  For a Basenji, we recommend short training sessions with high praise.  The Basenji breed can lose interest quicker than other breeds. We also recommend puppy training classes.  Your local Pet Store can help you or even offer puppy training classes for your Basenji puppy. Note:  We recommend your Basenji puppy has completed its vaccinations prior to them interacting with other dogs.

Basenjis are loyal family dogs but you will want to get your new puppy used to people quickly.  It's best to bring family and friends into your home to play with your new Basenji puppy.  We promise you won't have trouble finding anyone to play with your new Basenji puppy. Getting them used to people coming and going reduces their anxiety.  Puppies who are not socialized early can suffer from anxiety and fear. Note: Please ask guests to wash their hands before playing with your Basenji puppy. Just let them know they are still getting their vaccinations. Visit the American Kennel Club website on How to Socialize Your Puppy. Tip: Find family and friends who will babysit.  You will need a break from puppy raising. It will teach your Basenji puppy to trust other people besides you and reduce separation anxiety.

Basenjis do not respond well to harsh training. We recommend positive reinforcement training. Clicker training is highly recommended. Learn more about how to train your Basenji using Clicker Training Mark & Reward.

Crate training a puppy is not for the faint-hearted. Those first days or even weeks are tough.  Dogs are not meant to be in crates for long periods.  Crates are not to be used for punishment.  Crates are like a dog's den and should be a positive, safe space. You don't have to crate your Basenji puppy but a puppy left alone for an extended period will typically get into mischief. Watch Kennel Training for a Basenji. 

Note: Basenjis can howl loud and long.  It's important to put the crate with you and where they can see you, but it is also important to know it can be sleepless nights in the beginning  Hang in there if crate training is important. A tip for getting your Basenji comfortable with their cate is giving them a Kong filled with doggie peanut butter.  Once they are finished and with no anxiety or whining let them out and give them high praise.

Basenji puppy teeth are like shark teeth.  It's important to teach your Basenji puppy redirection.  If they start to mouth or bite your hands and/or feet, redirect them to a chew toy.  Teach your Basenji puppy what they can bite and what they cannot.  Everyone in the family needs to learn how to redirect biting behavior. Watch How to Train Your Puppy to Stop Biting You!

Note: Never scold or hit your Basenji puppy for biting.  You can use firm one-word commands like "No!", "Leave It!" or "Ouch". Have plenty of toys and chews available throughout your home.