Basenji Training
Here is the place to discuss training your Basenji (housebreaking, lure coursing, agility…).
Main thing to remember is that any good trainer will not even try to train the dog. He/she should train YOU to train (and understand and read) the Basenji. The trainer needs to know Basenjis, yes. But don't expect them to perform miracles unless you work hard to learn !
Behavioral Issues
Basenjis' function in the wild is to go after small game. I expect mine to hunt (and kill if they catch them) squirrels and rabbits. Other dogs are a no-no ! Mine know I do not tolerate aggression to other dogs, regardless of their size.
We are just back from a long walk in the forest where my two ran free and hunted (abortively, nothing caught) with a Cocker Spaniel. We met and chatted with lots of other dogs of all shapes and sizes and their owners . Humans stopped to chat, dogs did the normal meet, greet and sniff and there was not a single cross word.
The only trainer mine have ever had is their own pack alpha - ME !
Do not let aggressive behaviour take hold. Nip it in the bud NOW.
Basenji Feeding
@tanza I agree entirely ! I never minded plump puppies - but they need to achieve correct weight and maintain it through maturity and into old age ! I don't make any distinction between 'show weight' and anything else. A Basenji carrying too much weight is putting unnecessary strain on the organs and it is as harmful to them as to humans, for the same reasons.
I clouded up and rained all over my puppy people who allowed their Basenjis to put on too much weight.
I am still laughing about an incident after I judged in the Czech Republic - after the show I heard one exhibitor tell another 'my dog is not fat ! He is carrying too much weight !' Which is an expression I often use when judging - it conveys the message without offending the handler !
Condition is key - mine run free for miles most days and even my two current oldies are of correct weight and fit as fiddles - they are probably fitter than I am.
Lost and Found Dogs
Don't feed the trolls/spammers. Though usually here it doesn't matter, they hit and post and never return.
Basenji Puppy Pen
Post here tips on raising young Basenji.
Crate for sleeping at night should always be in the bedroom with their people. Should be close to the bed. I use wire crates and typically have more than one Basenji so the crates are all next to each other, but still in the room we sleep in. If an only Basenji should be next to your bed that that your pup knows where you are and you can dangle your fingers in the crate to assure them you are there. And cover the crate to make it more den like. Agree with a "crate buddy" stuffed big toy... and this crate buddy should only be used in the crate at night. I have never had any of my Basenjis sleep in any other room other then the one I sleep in. I also agree that in a car any dog should be confined in a crate, period.
Breeder Talk
@difrancc - Here is a link to "vet" a breeder....http://deckerratterrier.nrta.com/index.shtml
Basenji Meetups & Events
Rainbow Bridge
Basenjis For Sale or Wanted
@y64dogs keep looking, there's one out there somewhere