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Questions for a future forever mom

Member Introductions
  • Have you tried contacting Karen Jones with MedFly? They are Basenji Rescue in Southern California, www.basenji.com

  • If you enjoy biking, several members of our basenji club use the walkey dog attachment on their bike and take their senjis on 3-5 mile bike rides daily. I used to run 5k a day with my girl when we lived in TX.

  • Yes Tanza, I have contacted Karen via email to try and visit May 15th on a Sunday if they're open & available so I could meet Bs in person. So far no reply, but no hurry. I want a good match~ Lisa, I'm nearly 60 with lousy knees so the lure machine was a prayer answered… though I read where someone had one B that loved chasing lures and the other could care less. That Bs to a tee eh?! Dawn

  • Dawn, Karen does have some lovely rescues..BRAT www.basenjirescue.org also does.
    You can also go to BCOA and see about breeders in your area. Some breeders, through no fault of the dogs or theirs, have had dogs returned to them.
    There are many good ways to aquire a basenji..I hope you are successful.

  • I think i'd try a DAP before the thunder shirt. i think it'd be cheaper. I've used a Springer attachment for my bike. Did pretty good. probably should use it more.

    I have not had to child proof cabinets, but there is an xpen in front of my sliding glass door so that I can open it w/o worrying about the basenjis going through the screen door.

  • what is it? where is it? Thanks! Dawn

  • I do have to keep kitchen cabinets closed with a dog collar around the knobs. Kell got in the pantry not too long ago and ran around the house throwing marshmellows out of the bag he stole and he had eaten a hole in it. Thankfully he left the bag of powdered sugar alone, that would have been a real mess to clean up. he also loves to grab bags of potatoes and run around with those falling out too. I would love a lure coursing machine! Dawn

  • Topper once got a 5# bag of powdered sugar, fortunately only about a cup of it got strewn around, but yes, what a mess. I kept a bungee on one cabinet or years, current basenjis don't get into cabinets.

    If you don't get really young dogs, a nice walk a few tines a day is enough, or a daily trip to a good dog park is great for using energy. And like people, not all need a lot of exercise. I usually get rescues that are between 2 and 3 and not so wild!

    Good luck, basenjis fit in lots of different environments and they will train you so don't fret too much about a 'perfect match'! There are several types of harnesses that attach to seat belts, but many use a crate in the car.

  • Thank you for the encouragement… the match will be perfect however it goes! Yeah, my vehicle could handle up to 2 crates, good tip! Looks like I might want to put knobs on my cabinets (or Velcro?). I've looked to the top of my fridge and wondered if I might find my B up there some day. A cat would do so! Dawn

    PS. Deschroedter, do a search and you will find the machine I found made in San Diego & let me know what you think.

  • I have a thunder shirt that I use on one of my dogs for her travel anxiety. I would never leave a dog Unattended in a shirt or collar as they can get caught and choke. Many basenjis eat holes in any bedding left in their crate. I know someone who recently lost a basenji that injestdd part of her blanket and died of a blockage.

  • wow, good to know! Well what does the B lay on in the crate? Just the floor? I suppose since they're from Africa they sleep mat style like everyone else! Thanks, Dawn
    PS chipping this breed seems like a no brainer if it's not wise to keep a collar on them when at home inside.

  • suki eats her bedding as well (and mine, too - my poor bedspread!). i've had good luck with fleece blankets for her. for some reason, they are not as chewable or are not as interesting to chew since they don't really shred. for suki, the satisfaction is in the shredding, not the eating!

  • @MacPack:

    Topper once got a 5# bag of powdered sugar, fortunately only about a cup of it got strewn around, but yes, what a mess. I kept a bungee on one cabinet or years, current basenjis don't get into cabinets.
    .

    Really? Was Topper loose in the house when you're not home? Digital the brindlewonderkid is loose when I'm not home but the others are locked up. And of course Diggie would never do anything wrong, so I don't put anything up. (except the other dogs, that is)

    So newbie, you bought a real lure machine? wow! you have fenced land for it? otherwise, google "Flirt Pole" - that's a fun toy for the badsenjis, esp if there's a skin on the end of the line. (mine has a coyote tail, for what it's worth) And you can make your own.

    Here's info on the DAP
    http://www.amazon.com/DAP-Appeasing-Pheromone-Electric-Diffuser/dp/B000O5HUEA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1304647845&sr=8-2

    not saying amazon is the cheapest, just easy to find on line. There is also a DAP spray.

    And newbie - I think you should have picked a different handle. I can tell you will not fit "newbie" nor "wannabe" for very long. ;)

  • When Topper got into my pantry, I was home watching TV, duh. And yes, all ours are out whether we are home or gone, we have never had to crate anyone.(only taking dogs older than 2 has advantages) Dog door, fenced yard, couch-potatoes, most mischief when we are home and not paying attention!

  • Welcome and I do hope you find 2 Basenjis soon for your forever home. What's a thundershirt, please?

  • @Patty:

    Welcome and I do hope you find 2 Basenjis soon for your forever home. What's a thundershirt, please?

    I too hope you find a pair of Basenjis to fit your lifestyle. Being older with bad knees is our problem, too. Actually, I have a decade on you, and although it isn't easy, we find ways to be sure our girls, (2 1/2 and 3) get exercise - mainly dog parks and short walks, runs next to the golf cart, etc. I also wonder what a thundershirt is? They say having children when you are older than usual keeps you young - it's the same with having Basenjis - you have to keep thinking young to keep up with them. LOL.;)

  • LOL, this is sad. I was looking for something and removed a child proof device to open the entertainment doors. My daughter said "I am not a toddler any more." I said, "Yeah but the basenjis learned how to open it." Sigh.

    Brat has some basenjis NOW that only can be placed as pairs. I'll alert them to your post. I would LOVE a lure coursing machine but my back fence is only about 25 x 52 or so… SO I just use the lure whip like device to let Cara chase.

  • Thankyou gbroxon. They are very similar to the Ttouch coats, which I have for one of my Basenjis

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    I have to agree that a Basenji as a first dog is going to be "challenging". They are happiest when they are with you, and they can be destructive when they aren't happy. Being alone 10 hours/day would be an undesirable lifestyle for this breed. I outlined an exercise for you. Think about your answers to the questions. It will help you decide if you are ready for a dog. It's okay if you aren't ready "right now". You can get a dog in a few years, or when your schedule is better suited for it. The point is for you to form a conclusion on whether you are ready now, or not. Imagine your typical day with your dog: Waking up to a (daily) 3 mile run with adequate time for toileting. Feeding your dog, providing a bit of one-on-one, and then heading off to work/classes. Return home, walk your dog, play wtih them a bit, and take them to your sports activities with you. Either setting up a safe place outside so your dog can watch, or allowing them to engage with you (depending on the sport). Returning home, toileting, some one-on-one exercise (walk, run, training, play, etc.), hanging out together while you (do homework, play video games, text friends, eat dinner, do laundry, etc.), some one-on-one time, and sleeping. Is this something you can do - every day - no matter what? Is your heart set on a puppy? (Puppies need a different schedule.) Would you would consider adopting an adult dog instead? What is it about a Basenji that made you pick this dog breed? What about the time for a job so you can afford a dog (food, treats, shots, medical care, etc.)? The answers are for you, not for me. Just be honest with yourself. I'm an adult and I waited five (5) years before I brought home my Basenji.
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    Welcome to the forum. Sorry you're having difficulty finding a pup. There is an imbalance between people looking for a Basenji puppy and available puppies. Basenjis don't have large litters, there aren't a ton of breeders, and there is only one heat a year. As a consequence the supply is somewhat limited. Plus, as I'm sure you're aware, breeding takes a lot of time, effort, and money. It's a labor of love more than anything. That said, I'd be quite confident that you'll be able to find a puppy. As I'm sure you know from experience, most conscientious breeders care where their pups land. In your case that's a good thing because there is a chance you'll have your dog compete, which most would find desirable. As for not being sure what a win looks like, judging is subjective. A loser on day one can win breed and class on day two. (Not only with dogs. I was reading today about how SnapChat has "pretty filters" that always turn eyes blue). It's easier of where the competition is performance based.
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