I am fostering the Basenji puppy (9 months old) who almost died from eating a towel. He is doing fantastic but is VERY destructive so I had to move him into my garage. He is in an extra large crate and has now eaten the bottom hard plastic bottom of the crate, so he is not simply sitting on the wire and concrete. Any suggestions as to what to put in there since he destroys EVERYTHING? Unfortunately, I cannot exercise him, as he refuses to walk on a leash and is frightened of the leash, as well. And I cannot put him in the house with my other dogs as he is very aggressive and tries to fight...ANY assistance would be appreciated as I am at my wits end with this one and I feel he deserves better than this.

Well, I would advise that he needs the walk more than anything else right now - destruction is based in frustration, and frustration can be relieved by long walks. Much Aggression can also be aleviated that way, by Exercise, Discipline, and then Affection.

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Your first problem is that you have another dog. Basenji's only get along with other basenji's. And by putting your poor dog into a crate causes jealousy issues and is very cruel. Put this dog up for rescue, you do not deserve this dog! You refuse to teach this dog anything. You refuse to teach this dog how to take a walk. You do not give this dog any affection. You do not deserve to own this dog.

You remind me of the former owner of my basenji. You want a dog but refuse to take proper care of the dog. Keep your inside dog. Put your poor basenji up for adoption. Where are you located at? I am sure that there are plenty of good homes that would GLADLY take in your dog and train it properly.

Michele you say you are fostering him. I do not see that in your post. By having him in the garage and not having him with you and the other dogs you are causing more problems. Basenjis need to be with their pack or they get very destructive and aggressive. You may not be the right person to foster him. If you are his only hope then here is what I would do:
1) buy a muzzle for him so that he does not hurt the others. A racing muzzle is good for this
2) have in the kitchen in the crate with nothing in it except a Kong with peanut butter in it. This will help with the destructiveness
3) pick him up before you get the leash then put leash on him and give him a treat. have him on a leash every time he is out of the crate and the leash is attach to you this way he can not get into trouble
4) take him outside, put him down and let him lead you until he is comfortable
Do you have a bathroom that is just big enough for you to sleep on the floor. If so then on your day off have him and you sleep there, this way he can not destroy anything and he will learn to trust you and he will realize that sleeping with humans are the best. This worked for me with a rescue. I hope this helps. Please let me know or if you need any advice.

Lyn and the Basenjis