Basenji Talk

@MacPack: Sometimes the scar tissue may itch, and of course once they start licking, it goes on and on. I would try something like tea tree oil, not on any irritated skin, but near it. My Topper would not put his face anywhere near that scent, and it would keep him from gnawing his tail. ++ on the tea tree oil - I've used it when Gemma gnaws on her knees (who knows why, she has issues), and even on furniture when Shaye was in her teething stage - they really don't like it at all:(

I love the pictures!!!

Does anyone know of a website that shows you how to trim a b's tail? Or, should that be left to doggie grooming 'experts'? Kipawa's tail is lovely now, but any bushier and I think I might want to tidy it up.

when Hope was younger she would do the same. would also catch her in the bath on some occasions! lol

that calculator says Malu will be about 29lbs, which is still pretty big. I was hoping he would be a little larger anyway, most of my friends have larger dogs, labs mixes and hound mixes. So he should have no problem "hanging with the big dogs". I was browsing through that book a little more. It actually has some pretty interesting data on different experiments they did with the 5 different breeds. Its kind of neat to see how the Basenji's compared to some of the other breeds.

Hello Chealsie508, First off, very lovely pics. I am no basenji expert, but have come to the realization that Bs can at times be a bit disobedient as far as listening to commands go. Me and my B are currently in obedience class and she is towards the bottom of the class (during class…but much better at home)! I would try and redirect Oakley when he wants to nip with giving him an appropriate toy for that activity...be consistent. Hormones could be a factor and I agree he is in his terrible 2s and testing you and your limits, perhaps trying to be the dominant pack leader. He may just be playing and doesn't realize he is hurting you...pull away and say OWWW real loud every time. With licking the tops of soda cans, I am a little lost there since I have not witnessed such behavior or at least not with such focus...I know it sounds easy but also try and redirect the activity with something else Oakley may like...when he goes for the can tell him to sit, praise him "good sit" and treat, then walk away. Hope you find this helpful.

Wizard, thats pretty much what I was hoping to hear. In regards to training, I meant along the lines of enforcing good behavior, like sitting down to have his leash taken off or waiting for a release to eat, not digging at the furniture. Stuff like that. I don't expect my roommate to "obedience train" my pup. Overall I have a lot of trust in him, we have lived together for 3 years and been friends for the past 7 years. Even if he doesn't have a vested interest in the dog, he has a pretty vested interest in our friendship. Khani, I think Jean is in South Africa right now, and I would prefer to have him stay home if possible. It looks like everything will work out. Also, Both Jean and Kyle spoke Highly of you and your dogs. Thanks again for the advice everyone

@Quercus: Simba - Ch. Reveille Bouteniere (however you spell that!) Ch. Reveille Boutonniere is Kipawa's great great great grandfather, I believe!

Yeah… it sounds like more then it really is, sp is reallly dense and mostly water/fiber. It's about 1/2 a cup cooked I think... I always feed mine because my mom is the same - thinks I'm not giving enough though she admits that Dreamer at least is the right weight. Silly puppy on the other hand is hard to keep weight on, the whole litter is the same and so was his sire. At least he's not like his sister who will only eat ground chicken...

Definitely ask for your deposit - nothing ventured, nothing gained. I'd be doing a lot of talking to trainers to see what success they have had or not had with training a basenji as a therapy dog. They are pretty active, and it might be good to find out from those who know whether they can be trained to be calm and gentle on demand…...

We have two cats and two Basenji?s, but the basenji?s grew up with the oldest cat. They live togehter as a family, but the first meeting between Buana (oldest Basenji) and Spaik (oldest cat) was heavy Spaik was so mad at us he went under the bed and didn't show himselfe, when Buana got to close he hit Buana. Cats usually need time to get used to them, for you I think you need to watch them the first weeks constantly. From their behavior you can see how it's goint between them

@Kipawa: No flack here! I agree! Ive only seen ONE mild tempered Chi. Im not a huge fan of them…sure they're cute but ALWAYS seem to have a snarky attitude. Moms Chi Keelie is a drama queen and she also thinks she runs the house.

Pretty good pictures :)

I spoke to him once and seems like a great and knowledgable guy. He is very reputable and I am sure lots of people here have good things to say about him.

in a way it's dissapointing that with some Dogs all the training in the world goes out of the window in situations where it realy matters. However this is how it is and we do the best we can by our beloved Basenji delinquents ;)

That sounds exactly like benji…his ears stay folded back for awhile when we get home he's so excited. And he is the smartest dog I've ever been around also. He knows what alot of different words mean just by picking up on our conversations and he does quite a few tricks when he wants to as well. And he has to be with us constantly too. The breeder had named him Wyatt so you might remember his pics and I posted some also.

@Whoalookitsme: Does anyone have any videos of these lovely tricks :) I done one not long ago but I didn't like it and deleted it. But I do plan in making a new one in the following weeks :D ill share when I do

@jdido09: I am looking into getting a Basenji and am really excited. I am a college student and am interested in getting a dog to train as a service dog (Canine Good Citizen). I want to get my dog involved in the Pet friend program at the local Children's Hospital, I know more people with therapy dogs of all breeds that came from rescue than from breeder… maybe because many of the people I know doing therapy are also involved in rescue, but please consider that a GOOD rescue keeps a dog a couple of months before placing. A GOOD rescue can help you evaluate and find a dog with the temperament. That said, sorry... I don't think a dog, particularly a Basenji, is probably a good choice for you right now. Why rush? Finish college, find out for SURE if you are maybe going to grad school or maybe ending up with some super job that demands many hours work or travel. I know you are excited... but think of being fair to the dog. How about fostering basenjis for a while. A win/win. You get to truly know the breed AND it gives you time to finish school and determine what your "grownup" life style is going to be. Rescues are full of dogs from people who were young and in college and THOUGHT they knew because it is hard to imagine the changes coming your way soon.

all 3 of our Basenjis do this funny sit. My theory is because Basenjis originated in countries where the ground is hot they have evolved to sit like this to protect their delicate rear ends :D . Now that they live in different climates i believe they do it to avoid, heat, cold, mud. I also think there is something in the fight/flight theory. Lisa your description of Xander made me laugh. Malaika hovers about an inch from the ground when doing her down stays in class, in cold weather she is allowed to do it on a rug, however she still likes to hover if we don't insist she goes down completely.

Mine are not hyper. Active and hyper not the same thing to me.