Adopting a puppy mill rescue

[Coloradical]

Jaco is really settling in. He's really locking in to potty training and how to treat Juniper if he doesn't want to get owned all the time. I also have started taking him on longer walks (1 mile+) and that wears him out like it does for Juniper and then they play less. We don't mind them playing but it is a little distracting since we feel obligated to watch every second, fearing it might get out of hand (it hasn't yet, fingers crossed).

That's interesting about the chiropractor, never knew canines had that medical expertise available to them haha. We're taking him to the vet next week, we'll ask them what they think about his posture and go from there. I still notice it but it seems to be occurring less. I also need to pay more attention to confirm if he is consistent on which side he favors.

So I kind of have a dilemma. I did a lot of research into Jaco's breeder…and I know him and his pups have been discussed on this very forum before. In an instance I found online but not on this site, I've read Basenji owners did some research into him and posted that stuff on a forum (didn't say this forum) to warn others but then he got on the forum and threatened legal action (libel?). Then the forum admin(s) deleted the entire thread out of fear. I would like to start another thread here and basically post everything up front so people researching on the forum for getting a puppy won't go to him! And I would only state the facts, not my opinion. There is currently an investigation into him in Kansas where he is operating his mill...he would get no where with legal action against anyone or any website making public his information that the authorities themselves are catching on to. But I know this entire topic, since the threat of legal action can give knee-jerk responses, is controversial to post. This guy has been running a puppy mill operation for years and the evidence of Jaco's existence traced back to him suggests that he is actively breeding Basenjis (Jaco was born Dec. 30th 2013 and I'm sure he didn't appear out of thin air).
What should I do?

Read this, especially the comments section that's still going as of about a week ago even though it started in 4 YEARS AGO:
http://cravendesires.blogspot.com/2010/03/accused-iowa-puppy-miller-is-convicted.html

That's ^ who our Jaco came from. That's the guy who neutered him at 12 weeks old. You should see the "paperwork" we got from the rescuer who got it from the first owners who got it from that convicted criminal…it's a photo copy of a blank sheet of paper with 3 vaccine stickers on it, that's it. What a joke of a breeder! He even did Jaco's first shots at 4 weeks old, WTH! No vet records, for all we know a dirty butter knife is what neutered Jaco. I absolutely can't believe he's as healthy and well-behaved as he is, what a little miracle of life for overcoming those circumstances. But it sickens me to cuddle with Jaco knowing his breeder who also touched him is such an evil person who is still free to continue doing his crimes for profit on the backs of defenseless animals including the breed we here all love!

I searched if this forum and found this, so I know some people on here have read about this guy before:
http://www.basenjiforums.com/archive/index.php/t-9376.html
His kennel has a new name now because he's trying to dodge multiple investigations into him. He's also being sued in civil court across state lines.

[DebraDownSouth]

What a delightful happy puppy! Loved the video. I do hope the one-eyed dog also got a home.

I think allowing the female to set limits will help reign him in, and the more play the more tired and the more well behaved.

Food though, that can be an issue. I feed in crates because it is easier to NEVER have a fight over food than have one. It helps me make sure who gets what food, or if one needs supplements/med, no danger of sharing or not getting full dose. But I also want dogs to understand early on that their food is THEIR food and another dog's food is not theirs. Fighting over food is a normal behavior and one you want to prevent happening. While I work with mine from puppyhood on letting people handle, take, exchange food.. I do not expect dogs to be nice to other dogs.

[Coloradical]

We knew to curb food fighting issues from the get go so we set up a gate in a hallway, effectively separating our home in two. We keep Jaco's food and water on one side and Juniper's on the other. And while Jaco eats all his food immediately every feeding, Juniper has always been picky (her breeder even noted it when she was a young pup) so while we use to free feed her we can't do that now because Jaco will eat her adult food leftovers. So as soon as we brought him home and saw how food motivated he is, we've been picking up her bowl after she's stopped eating (though she never finishes) and then open the gate. The first thing Jaco does is run to where June's food bowl would be, he acts so famished. And now Juniper is eating more food for the few minutes her bowl is put it down, not surprisingly!

Thankfully they don't fight over the toys we have that we put treats in even though it's food. And the first time Jaco caught us off guard by going after June's food before she was done/before we had picked up her bowl Juniper didn't get aggressive with him, she just shared. She's still half pup in her heart and has never really gotten violently aggressive with any dog even though she has had to defend herself at the dog park more than once. In fact Jaco's rescuer gave us some of the Fromm kibble she was feeding him so we could ease his transition to Orijen puppy kibble…and when Juniper smelled the new-to-her food in his bowl the first time we fed him, she went and shared with him from his bowl. Juniper is very saintly...but we know that in a few months when Jaco is larger, stronger, and potentially testing her dominance she might feel threatened then and get food protective. So we're keeping their food separate even now in anticipation of that.

[tanza]

Would be better to just feed them in crates… and water should never be an issue...... If Juniper doesn't finish her food, then she loses it for that feeding.. it is a way to build GOOD eating habits...

[Coloradical]

First pictures of Jaco:
http://www.basenjiforums.com/showthread.php?16057-Jaco-little-brother-to-Juniper

[2baroos]

Colorado Basenji Rescue. We are her 5th home. We got her when she was 5 and she is now 13. No major health issues-just UTI's and vision problems and weird mannerisms. I think she has some mental issues but is the most loving Basenji I have ever known. She doesnt know how to play and and craves attention. She shys away from hands even now and it took her almost 2 years before she showed her personality and felt good about herself. She was dead behind her eyes and her tail was thin and hung down.
If you are willing to take the time and have the money-you may end up with a fantastic dog. We are lucky and got pet insurance. Good Luck!

[tanza]

This is a puppy that they adopted…. not an adult that had been used in breeding.... While they will have issues... the fact that he is only a few months old and that have a well adjusted bitch in the home.. will make it all the more easier for them... "still recommend" that you feed in crates...

Kudos for you for taking a puppymill breeding bitch.... and that she has done so well.

[giza1]

@2baroos:

Colorado Basenji Rescue. We are her 5th home. We got her when she was 5 and she is now 13.

Oh, what was the name of the girl you got?
I got a Basenji from Peg quite a few years ago.
-Joanne

[lisastewart]

I have to feed 2 of my 6 in crates because after they finish thier food, they then go and share with everyone else and put on weight.

[Chealsie508]

There would be no sharing in my house; it would turn nasty very quickly!

[agilebasenji]

Zest! would be happy to share your food, but it's not really a 2 way street.

[Chealsie508]

Amen to that!!

[eeeefarm]

When I had my two Basenji girls, and my Border Collie, I often fed them all at the same time in summer when they were out enjoying the dog run, but I stuck around until they were done (not long!!) because the younger one would try to "help" the older one finish her dinner, and both would be happy to enjoy anything the Border Collie left, but not if I was present to glare at them! (the Border Collie would even defer to the cat if she decided to help herself to his meal.)