Toy Tips for Basenji Dogs: Keeping Your Pup's Tail Waggin' at any Age
- Kiki Lee
- Aug 11, 2024
- 5 min read
Are you a proud Basenji owner looking to keep your furry friend entertained and happy with a variety of dog toys and activities?
Choosing the right dog toys can make a world of difference in your Basenji's life, providing mental stimulation, physical exercise, and endless fun. To help you navigate the world of dog toys, we've compiled a list of top dog toy tips and activity recommendations suitable for Basenjis of all ages!
1. Puppyhood (0-6 months)
As your Basenji puppy explores the world around them, focus on:
Toys that are safe for teething. Soft toys that are gentle on their developing teeth and sturdy enough to withstand chewing.
Consider interactive toys that encourage problem-solving and offer treats as rewards.
Free fun works! You don't have to spend extra money to find a toy your dog will love!
If you haven't met Basenji Boy Thor yet, check him out on YouTube.
When Thor was a puppy, he was just as happy chasing our hand or a butterfly as he was chasing tennis balls or store-bought toys.
Always chat with your veterinarian about what's best for your dog at their current age. And keep an eye on your Basenji dog whenever they're playing with toys.
Learning how they play is helpful for understanding their likes and dislikes as well as identifying any issues they may be having with their health.
We do not recommend toys with a lot of fluff and poor stitching quality. For Thor, we mistakenly played with a lot of toys with extra fluff (stuffing), and it was a big mess constantly and not the best thing for his growing teeth.
2. Young Adult (6-12 months)
At this stage, your Basenji is full of energy and curiosity. Opt for toys that promote physical activity and mental engagement. Interactive puzzle toys are great for keeping them entertained and mentally sharp. Balls and toys that can be stuffed with treats are also excellent choices.
Interactive Toys - like a Kong filled with whipped cream and kibble is a great way to kickstart your Basenji's foraging skills.
Organized training classes - where your Basenji can engage in stimulating new learning activities while earning playtime or treats is a great way to give them toys as a reward for good work.
Hide and seek - with treats and toys, works your Basenji dog's mental muscles
Examples of Free Interactive Toys
THE EMPTY FOOD CONTAINER
When our Basenji boy Thor was young, we gave him interactive toys like an empty Folgers tub (cleaned out) filled with a few treats. We would leave the lid off and watch him move the Folgers can around until he figured out how to tip it over.
Once he was really experienced with the Folgers can without a lid. We poked a few holes in the lid and left a few treats within the container with the lid on. Then we watched as Thor learned how to pop the lid off. It was a more difficult challenge and took him ages to get the first few times.
This exercise can be repeated with any empty container that is cleaned out and never contained chemicals. I always use Dawn dish soap and warm water to clean the container then let them dry before putting any kibble in them.
Examples of other containers to use: an empty cereal box or an empty protein container.
THE CARDBOARD BOX
Have you ordered anything from Amazon or Shein lately? Don't throw away the box! Re-use it to play with your Basenji dog. We used a cardboard box for a number of activities in Thor's youth to help him learn how to sniff and search for items as well as to make his meal times more interactive. Working for his food provided mental stimulation that wore him out similar to physical exercise.
3. Adulthood (1 year and older - All Life Stages)
As your Basenji transitions into adulthood, they still need toys to keep them active and prevent boredom. Look for durable, chew-resistant toys that can withstand their strong jaws. Rope toys for tug-of-war or squeaky toys for playtime are popular among adult Basenjis.
Fetch Toys: Basenjis love chasing and retrieving, so invest in a good quality fetch toy to keep them running.
Tug Toys: Engage in interactive play with your Basenji using tug toys to strengthen your bond.
Squeaky Toys: The enticing sound of a squeaker can keep your Basenji entertained for hours.
Examples of Free or Inexpensive Interactive Toys & Activities
THE LASER POINTER
This may not work for all dogs, but Thor is as drawn to laser pointers as most cats are. He's an odd dog for sure. But he'll run for days trying to catch a laser pointer. And these are fairly inexpensive at your local dollar stores, pharmacy stores, or grocery retailers.
THE CHAIN LINK FENCE
Basenji boy Thor will run for days along a chain link fence. Some dog parks offer these between their small, medium, and large size partitions. If you can find one of these it can help your dog expend some energy by greeting another dog at the fence line and chasing each other back and forth. Admittedly I do not initiate this for Thor, but he is a massive fan of running on one side of the fence while another dog runs next to him on the other side of the fence. VISITING A NEW PARK OR DOG-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT
Similar to the stimulation we receive when visiting a new place, your dog can become highly engaged with new sites, sounds, smells, and tastes. We take Thor to different parks and restaurants every other month or so to stimulate his brain by introducing him to new environments.
Conclusion
Remember, every Basenji is unique, so observe your pup's preferences to tailor the toy selection to them. Rotate toys regularly to keep things exciting and prevent boredom.
By providing a variety of toys that cater to their different needs, you can ensure your Basenji stays happy, healthy, and entertained!
Tell us, which toy does your Basenji love the most? Or maybe you don't have a Basenji yet, but have another pup who is interested in certain toys and games.
Share your dog's favorite playtime activities in the comments below or on the comments within our YouTube videos. We'd love to hear from you and grow our Basenji-friendly community.
By taking into consideration your Basenji's age and preferences, you can select the perfect toys to keep them engaged and entertained.
With these recommendations, you're all set to spoil your Basenji with a toy box full of fun! 🐾
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