B pup in shelter - Regina, Saskatchewan, CANADA

[sharronhurlbut]

The good news is that you can watch if your boy turns our affected. But even if its the worst thing and I am hoping it isn't there is a great group you can join and way to suppliment the dog so he can live a long life.

[BEK]

I've spent alot of time going through the differenet forum discussions on here….and I have to say I am getting quite worried. I did do research prior to signing the adoption papers but I didn't come across the stories and issues that I've read on here. It seems like the majority of Basenji's are "bad" as in they will likely ruin my house and anything that's in it if they are given the chance and I won't be able to trust him alone in the house or car ever, unless he is in a crate....is this true for the majority of Basenjis? Or am I just focussing too much on the negative stories? I thought I did enough research and I knew he'd be alot of work but figured once he's trained he'd be okay to trust in the house, I really don't want to have to crate him at all times and not be able to take him in the car without a crate. Now I'm getting worried that I may have made the wrong decision after spending hours online reading the bad stories. Since I haven't brought him home yet it's not too late to back out of the adoption, I'd rather do that then get him and realize that I can't handle him if he turns out to be destructive, because I know it would be very hard to have to give him up after bringing him home. But then there's also the chance he'd be perfectly good and I missed out on a great dog. Any advice?

[sharronhurlbut]

I do dog rescue. I tell folks they will read a lot of stories, some will apply to their basenji, some will not. WHAT we don't want to hear, is that, "you didn't tell us that"!
As b's are unique as folks are, we tend to show all things that can happen.
THAT way, YOU pick up your special books, or the kids toys, and when they get chewed, because they were down, you don't call us yelling.
All b's can do all of the things you read. BUT you will find your b does some of these things. The good news is with a bit of work on your part, you can make sure it doesn't happen to you.
Hope that makes some sense to you.
Oh, typed by a person who had to have 2 sets of lap belts replaced in a new car, because I was stupid.

[Schouiffy]

It's great you are doing your homework!
I think it's a bit simple to say Basenjis are dogs with many "bad stories". Most of the time Basenjis are great dogs with loads of love to give and a genuine enthusiasm for life. Many destructive behaviors are out of sheer boredom and a lack of mental stimulation - and can easily be remedied with long walks and interesting chews. With proper human concern - destruction of one's things is not unavoidable. Crate training on further research is not something you need to feel guilty about - many dogs on this forum are crate trained and perfectly happy. Some would argue it's far safer for a dog (any dog) to be in a crate whist the humans are away than loose in the house. If you read more into the dog "psychology" of crate training it's easier to see why dogs enjoy a "den" environment when we are not at home with them (there are lots of links to literature if you search "crate training" in the search box of the forums). Furthermore, some dogs as they grow up crate trained and then are fine in the home alone outside of it when they are older - every dog is different. And that's key to remember, all dogs are different, and your puppy will be unique. I sincerely respect your thoughtfulness on the subject as too many people rush into buying these dogs and don't take the right amount reflection time to see the impact they will have on their lives. I think by taking this pause you are doing the most just thing you can for this puppy. He may turn out to be a little whirl wind of terror, but the people on the forum are always here to help you through that. In the end I find, even with the small destructions (I got lucky, my 2nd Basenji is not a chewer) these dogs fill you up with so much, you can let the smaller things slide. Do what's best for you, and in such a way you will do what's best for the dog. Good luck

[giza1]

@BEK:

I've spent alot of time going through the differenet forum discussions on here….and I have to say I am getting quite worried.... But then there's also the chance he'd be perfectly good and I missed out on a great dog. Any advice?

What Ben is right now is a completely blank slate who has the potential to become a wonderful companion or be ruined by mishandling, the choice is yours. A Basenji can learn to live within the boundaries set for him, as long as those boundaries do not involve trying to turn him into a breed he was never intended to be… he will never be Lassie.

Everyone has a different idea of what constitutes a good dog, and has a differing tolerance level for certain behaviours. Ask yourself what behaviours and characteristics are, or are not, important to you in a dog. A Basenji can definitely be a good dog for someone who appreciates the personality of a Basenji.

Anybody who is committed to raising a good Basenji can do it. You have a good support group here, if any breed needs a support group the Basenji is it!
-Joanne

[lvoss]

Any dog can be a "bad" dog. Every dog requires training to learn what is acceptable. Crating and limiting access to areas so the dog can't practice bad behavior is part of training. Usually, if you are consistent about early training and preventing the puppy from learning bad habits, you will have laid the foundation for having a great adult dog.

As for crating in the car, it is absolutely neccessary that you restrain your dog in the car for its safety. If you are not going to crate in the car then you better be using a pet car safety harness. Everyone should watch this crash test and see what happens to the unrestrained dog dummy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ts4sMQA4zqA&feature=related

[Patty M]

Basenjis are wonderful, loving, caring dogs…. but they are ALSO crafty, combined with enough cleverness that they WILL outsmart you! I stumbled into this breed 7 years ago when I brought my Lucy home. Sadly, she died in April, but not without making such a warm imprint on our hearts.

Someone said that the pup is a "blank slate", and that is not altogether true. They will let you THINK that they listen; but the caveat is .... "if they want to". My new little Lola is learning the rules of our house, and does listen- she sits down and lays for treats; but yesterday, she managed to get outside. We went on a 45 minute escapade, where she chased every squirrel she saw, and finally, she befriended another pup. I tried the "running away from her" trick, and the "TREATS" command, but with no luck. (I only got her back because she went in the pup's house and we closed the door. :)). Using strict commands of "NO!" and whacking Lola on her behind would have done nothing positive at that point; it would just put fear in her little soul. So, I loved her and hugged her, and put her back on the leash, and she politely walked home- not one little yank.

Right now, Lola is cuddling up next to me, licking her paws like a kitty, and if she could purr, she would. We are working on getting her to respond better to "TREATS!", but that takes time, discipline, and patience.

There are unique traits for basenjis, but for me, those are the qualities that endear them to my heart. Your little boy will love you, and cuddle with you, and I wouldn't worry about the nightmare stories right now. I've never had any of my furniture eaten, but Lola is curious enough to see what's in the bathroom trashcan. (Lesson to me: don't put anything too nasty in that trashcan, or if I do, make sure that door is closed!).

In a worst case scenario, if you adopt this little Tike and then realize you made a mistake, well, there are many of us that will open our homes to him.

**The emotional rewards are so much greater than the bagful of "What Ifs".
**
Good luck!

[Patty]

I totally agree with the previous posts. I know that there are 'bad' things that every dog may do and if we believed everything we probably wouldn't have pets at all!!

Yes Basenjis can be naughty, they can be destructive, they can have other major problems (usually caused by incorrect upbringing and not by breeding) but then they may not. I'm sure if you read forum posts carefully you'll see just how delightful and addictive basenjis can be.

I've shared my life with Basenjis, both adopted and my own and wouldn't have any other dog in preference. Any 'badness' there might be is made up for by other very sweet and intriguing attributes.

[Kipawa]

@lvoss:

Everyone should watch this crash test and see what happens to the unrestrained dog dummy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ts4sMQA4zqA&feature=related

I can't seem to access this video.

[Kipawa]

Seems to be working now. Oh how sad this would be to have it happen. Everyone, please secure your dogs in your vehicles.

[agilebasenji]

BEK-
I think it just depends on you and your individual dog. Not much help I know. I have a basenji who I do leave out in my house (or other places, like his breeder's home) and he does just fine always has, even at a year old. But I do believe that is maybe an exception. My 12 year old intact male will mark in the house if left out alone, but he's not really distructive. I have not tried my 3 year old. She's hungry all the time, so who knows what she'd find.

My dogs are in crates in the car. This is a big factor in my descision:
http://www.newworldbasenjis.net/kennelaire.htm
I wear a seatbelt; dogs are in crates. That's just life at my house.

Owning a basenji, or any dog for that matter, is a life change. If you must take your dog on off lead hikes, a basenji isn't a good choice, but a lab may be just the breed for you. If you don't mind the leash, but hate lots of shedding, a basenji would be a better choice than a lab. <shrug>It's all a matter of what you can deal with and your priorities.

And you're not really restricted to crates. Jet the tri-ing, my intact 12 year old, spends his day in an X-pen when we're not home and does fine. However, my crated dogs love their crates and race into them when it's meal time. BUT if crates really bother you, I'd suggest not getting a puppy of any breed, but go through rescue and adopt a dog that is able to be not in a crate when you're gone.

Sorry that's not more definate.</shrug>

[tanza]

Best advise ever… you wear a seat belt, so should your pet... period... I perfer crates to doggy seat belts... my choice... and add to that you need to not leave them in a car with no climate control... not even for a short time... it either can can too cold or too hot... and well, leaving them loose when moving is an accident waiting to happen.

[BEK]

Thanks for all the input. It's not so much that I think crating is a bad thing it's just that I don't want to have to do it forever. I totally understand that it's a good idea for training or for situations were a crate would be best such as travelling, and I would plan on using a crate in the beginning. However, I'd prefer to have a dog I can leave in my house alone, or at least in the kitchen without coming back to a disaster. Also, I'd prefer to be able to trust the dog in my car without my seats being chewed up. I understand the importance of car saftey but sometimes situations arise were you need to leave your dog in the car for a bit, obviously only if the temperature is safe, and I wouldn't want to have to load up a crate every single time I go somewhere with my dog, if anything I'd prefer to use a doggy seatbelt. If I didn't just purchase a brand new car and new furniture in my house I'm sure I wouldn't be as concerned. The only way to know if he'll destroy something is to leave him alone and see what happens while I'm gone, that's what I'm afraid of, it could go either way. I'm totally aware that many breeds of puppies will chew and will get into some trouble, but usually with training they grow out of it and wouldn't even think of chewing on anything other than their toys, at least that's my experience with the dogs I've known. With the basenji I'm getting the impression that they may or may not grow out of it, it's just in their nature, and even if they are perfectly trained not to, if they feel like chewing on a couch one day then they'll just do it.

Another thing that's concerning me is that my prior research was that B's shed "very little" and have very little dander and are a good choice for allergy sufferers…which is one of the reasons I was excited at first about the B, because I have dog allergies. I've looked at some of the threads which talk about undercoats and "blowing coat", which is making me think they shed more than I initially thought. What are your experiences with shedding? Do they typically only shed just a little?

[lighthouseparkB]

BEK,

Good questions. Our first 2 B's as pups were crated when we were not at home, but when they got out of the puppy chewing stage and mellowed a little we gradually let them have more run of the house and they were fine from about 2 years/onwards. Our new guy seems okay so far too but is crated when we are all out and will gradually get more "privileges" as he proves himself. That being said, the house is pretty much baby and basenji proofed (as much as possible).

On allergies, I am allergic for most dogs but am fine around Basenjis. Many people we know in the same situation have come over and not reacted either. The time we have gone on vacation and come back, I do usually get stuffed up for about a day. These guys do shed, especially spring time when the winter coat comes out, but other than the hair you will probably not react.

[giza1]

@Patty:

Someone said that the pup is a "blank slate", and that is not altogether true.

By blank slate I meant that Ben is a pup and shouldn't have any deeply ingrained bad habits yet that you'd have to undo. You're basically starting fresh and Ben can become the kind of dog you want him to be keeping in mind that he is a Basenji and you're not going to be able to undo what evolution has put there (ie prey drive). A dog is what you make it.
-Joanne

[Knipper]

I am allergic and I do react to Blaze, especially when he sheds. I control it with a knock-off of the defurminator (I got it at a trade show for $20). It grabs a lot of the fuzz, and I usually do it every second day during shedding, and once a month the rest of the year. His tail tip sheds the most…
Definately crate train. I didn't, we thought we'd spoil him and let him have the hot tub room (fully ventilated with a hard top covering the tub). $17,000 worth of venetian blinds and one dead fly later... we got a crate.
ps. they are very prey driven...
Basenjis are not bad, just very smart and willing to show you the error of your ways. They are also extreme cuddlers, and you feel incredibly special when they choose you for warmth and love.
Enjoy him, he'll make you laugh and show you what true unconditional love is.

[lvoss]

@BEK:

I'm totally aware that many breeds of puppies will chew and will get into some trouble, but usually with training they grow out of it and wouldn't even think of chewing on anything other than their toys, at least that's my experience with the dogs I've known.

I just want to say this is a fallacy. I volunteer at my local shelter and have worked with many dogs of many breeds and mixes and a huge range of ages and it all depends on the dog and the training. Some with very little effort are great, trustworthy and non-destructive. Others require lots of training and management but can also become great dogs. Breed may contribute to certain behaviors but so does temperament and personality.

[BEK]

After much thought and some tears, we have made the very difficult decision to back out of the adoption of Benn. Though we love the little guy, after all the research I’ve put in I just don’t think we can give him the time and attention he will need and deserve.

I really want him to go to a good family who will have the time to spend with him and exercise him. So if anyone on here is interested or know of someone, please spread the word. He’s a super cute and friendly brindle/white guy, birth date is February 1, 2010, he was previously in a pet store which closed down and was then surrendered to the humane society in Regina, Sask. He’s a purebred but we weren’t given any papers. The HS says he’s healthy, no fanconi testing has been done. He’s very lonely at the HS in a kennel all my himself, they wouldn’t even let us take him outside to play, so he’s pretty much cooped up in a kennel indoors most of the time - he gets very excited and happy every time we visit him to play. So he needs a loving family to take him asap so he can get out of there.

The HS will not under any circumstances let him leave until he’s been neutered, he has an appointment for June 8 (not sure if they’ll keep that, or wait and re-book once someone else adopts him). So if you are a breeder wanting him to breed, then don’t bother calling. I don’t think he’ll last long at the HS, but I really want him to go to a good home who understands the needs of this type of dog. Purebred puppies are rare at the HS, and unfortunately it’s likely that someone will just see a cute puppy and adopt him based on his “cuteness” without researching the breed, and the HS wasn’t all that helpful in educating us. The HS doesn’t allow you to put a puppy on "hold" over the phone, so anyone interested would have to be nearby, so if you know of anyone have them visit the Regina Human Society website, Benn should probably be re-posted there soon.

Thanks everyone for the information and advice. This was a very difficult decision. If we had a fenced in yard and didn’t both work full-time and go to school part-time, we would have took him in a heartbeat. Unfortunately we made a too-quick decision with our hearts when we adopted him, but I think we are making the right decision, as it would be much harder to take Benn home and then realize that we couldn’t handle it.

[Patty M]

BEK, I'm glad you took the time to let us know, so that if there's someone on here who can give Benn a home, they can do it quickly. I know this must have been a hard decision for you and your family, but you are doing what's best for your family, and that's important.

[curlytails]

BEK, kudos to you for doing your research and making the decision to back out, as difficult as that can be. There's no shame in admitting a mismatch rather than forcing yourself to plunge into something you'll regret later. I hope whomever snatches up this cute little guy is as conscientious.