Buddy looks great, it's nice to see what he looks like.
but when jogging, I'll do a soft pop to pull him up, or back when teaching him to Heel (which he has pretty much mastered, so I don't think there will be an issue there–I always praise him and reach down and pet him when he does heal, even if I tugged him in a bit.
Jon
I take feral dogs who have never been on a leash and teach them to loose leash and heel without ever and I do mean EVER popping the leash, soft pop or not.
The technique is so simple it will make you feel faint.
Put the dog on a leash, the second (really nanosec) there is tension on the leash, STOP. Sometimes I stop and if the pull continues, I back up or reverse or change directions. In no time you have a dog who pays attention to leash tension and try to anticipate where you are going. My 8 yr old child who was tiny worked my 120 pound Rottweiler at obedience thanks to loose leash training.
I highly recommend you check out Mary's site on lessons. 
You don't have to use a clicker
http://www.clickerlessons.com/
It sounds as though Buddy has a Lab temperament rather than a Basenjis and that would account for his being so laid back indoors. Re chewing his back feet - are you sure that he's not got a pain or injury? As you say you can check with the vet.
He is a very handsome boy.
A comment on the silent growl, I don't know if it's just in specific breeds but some dogs actually "smile". I've been trying to find a photo online but haven't had any luck yet. I've mainly seen it in Pitbulls and Dobermans, tho I'm sure some others may have the weird muscles that move their lips up that way (and who knows with a mix whats in there). Pretty much tho it's mouth will look like it's pulling its lips back in a bad way but he's just trying to show you how happy he is 
It's really cute but on some of the pits in our shelter it can scare people.
Put the dog on a leash, the second (really nanosec) there is tension on the leash, STOP. Sometimes I stop and if the pull continues, I back up or reverse or change directions. In no time you have a dog who pays attention to leash tension and try to anticipate where you are going. My 8 yr old child who was tiny worked my 120 pound Rottweiler at obedience thanks to loose leash training.
I've been doing this by accident–I had no idea there was a technique that could be applied. I don't feel good at all with even soft pops (for the very reasons somebody talked about in an earlier response--why would he want to come to me, or be in a leash at all, if he has a negative association with it. He's already pretty dog-on good with it, I just think I'm going to be very patient and willing to let him take the time he needs to figure it out--I think even the soft pops have been slowing things down. I'm going to stick with just stopping and changing directions 100% now. Feels better for me too.
I've heard about 'clickers' but am not sure at all what it is--going to check it out when I've replied to to folks great responses.
Thanks again!
Warmly
Jon
I let him chew on dental bones and he loves to roll on his back and gnaw on them that way - occasionally he will get that "smile" that you describe as looking like a "snarl". Chris sometimes even encourages him to do it because he thinks it's cute…I think it'll just scare people so I try not to encourage it, lol.
We did a LOT of "no teeth" training with him as a pup, so we can take anything away from him without much fear of getting nipped or bitten. Since you weren't there to train Buddy, I'd ask someone who would know more about what to do if he's possibly resource guarding and doesn't want his chew toy or treat taken away.
He really shows no aggression at all with food, or having toys/raw hides taken from him, or given to him by hand. He's really great about that; that being said, I'm not gonna play with fire and make a habit of taking things from his mouth or from in front of him until I have a trainer work with him to assess his vibe.
Thanks!
Warmly
Jon
It sounds as though Buddy has a Lab temperament rather than a Basenjis and that would account for his being so laid back indoors. Re chewing his back feet - are you sure that he's not got a pain or injury? As you say you can check with the vet.
He is a very handsome boy.
Vet didn't see anything, but I'm gonna try the washing his paws and between his toes to see if it helps–if that doesn't help, vet said it could be an adjustment thing. He doesn't show any evidence of injury visibly, and no limp or anything.
Thanks!
Warmly
Jon
I think somebody on this forum has a profile pix of their Basenji smiling. It can be a little intimidating to see a Pit bear their teeth, even when you know they're smiling!
Warmly
Jon
Her is a pic of my Dalmation, Amy that i had in the 80's. She was a lovely Dog and smiled a lot, to the point of making herself sneeze 
I used to see people quickly draw their hands away from her when she smiled and they looked at me as if i was stupid when i told them she was smiling
Her is a pic of my Dalmation, Amy that i had in the 80's. She was a lovely Dog and smiled a lot, to the point of making herself sneeze
I used to see people quickly draw their hands away from her when she smiled and they looked at me as if i was stupid when i told them she was smiling
AWWW! I love it! That's a happy grinnin doggie!
Warmly
Jon
Belgians Shep's are also a breed that love to grin/smile a lot…
My friend has them, and there is nothing nicer than sitting down at her place and have these big, black, grinning things, (with the manditory wiggly bum too), coming over for a cuddle :D... Love it...
This is the BEST freakin' dog ever! Turns out that his great behavior was not a honeymoon–he grooms my cat, loves new people and other dogs. He is a 'sharing dog.' I don't see many who do this, but I have met a few who do the same thing: he will take his toys, and walk up to other dogs and offer it to them for tug of war. . . if he gets it, he'll run to be chased for a minute, then turn around and offer it up again. . . if they get it, he's like, "cool, i'll chase you" and if they get mouthy, he just trots away and says hi to me or another dog.
He still smiles with his entire face. He's learning all sorts of tricks--turns out he's extremely smart. Now if I can get him to figure out what to do with a frisbee . . . I swear, I've shown him over and over, treated him, etc. and he still just lets the frisbee bonk him in the head. . . oh well, fetch with toys and his Kong Wubba is fun.
Thanks again for all the help. I'll drop in some and keep y'all posted.:D
Jon
Sounds like you have a wonderful rescue on your hands, wanna trade? Just kidding!:p I think you're doing everything right and it sounds like he's adjusting well. I think the growling is probably just nothing but you never know, he could have a little bit of resource guarding possibly… can you touch him while he eats or has a toy without him growling?
It's good to have abn update and well done for keeping him an ifeal dog.
