Really try and get ahold of BRAT. It is a great organization and they really take the time to fit the rescues with the right home.
It doesnt always mean that you are a poor owner when you have to turn your dog to rescue. Sometimes it means you are kind and smart enough to know what is in the best interest of them.
Good Luck
I totally agree with Christy'. To call a breed rescue group is THE most responsible thiing to do. I am sympathetic with your dilemma RUSTYROO. Please let us know your progress. It is a very difficult position to be for the best interest of you, child and your beloved fur baby.
Thank you so much for saying that. Because that is exactly how I feel. I love him with all my heart and it is tearing me apart. I have cried for 3 days now. I feel like I am abandoning him when he needs me the most. I will try to contact them and again thank you!!!!!
Hello,
My options at this point are to give him to a good home, put him to sleep or keep him in the garage. The 2nd options are just not fair to him so I am asking for help to find him a good home. He is a great companion with a lot of love to give but he is very jealous of others. He wants to be the center of attention.
Shiela,
I've been thinking about these options. There may be another possible option to think about - Would you consider working with a Behaviorist? I have not needed one for my two, but there have been discussions in this forum where an animal Behaviorist would benefit owners with Basenji/dog behavior problems. I know there is the old question "Can you teach an old dog new tricks?" I wouldn't doubt RUSTYROO can still do it. If you're interested, someone (Andrea) may know how you can find a good trainer in your area.
Qualified behaviorists can be found here:
Depending on the situation, this kind of dog can come around …they take a LOT of work, and committment and management. A lot of behaviorist will refuse to work with a dog who has bitten kids who live in the home, because of the liability issues. There are a lot of variables involved. Often the most responsible thing is rehoming of the dog.
That being said, Ivy has bitten (snapped) at Ethan twice over the three years they have lived together. We work on it, we manage it, we know that having Ivy here is a risk, and we know it is our responsiblity to teach Ethan how to behave so as not to get bitten. And we know it is also our responibility if he does get bitten. The alternative for her is euthanasia, because I will not rehome a dog that has bitten in the manner she has (she has bitten adults as well). So we work, and we work, and we super carefully manage her.
I worked at Petsmart for 4 years as a trainer. Teaching dogs how to obey and behave. In Rusty's case it is pure jealousy. My daughter Aliesha doesn't have to touch Rusty and he will go after her. If he is in the room and my daughter walks in, his hair automatically stands up and he growles. Aliesha keeps her distance from him, at this point I don't think she really likes him too well. He was our one and only for so long that he resents her for being there. My husband and I have concidered putting a/c into our garage and adding a doggie door. We already have 2 couch's out there for him to lay on. (Just so it still feels like home) Although if we do this, we are going to get Aliesha a dog of her own. She deserves to have an animal that she can love and bond with. Not having any brothers or sisters to play with, it is important for her mental development. I don't know how Rusty will take that either. My husband and I both take turns spending time with Rusty. We have tried to hold Rusty and let Aliesha give him treats, and a small pat on the head. But as soon as the food is gone, he wants nothing to do with her. I've tried everything taught to me when I trained at Petsmart and nothing works.
This is NOT a jealousy issue-dogs do not have jealous 'feelings'. They are dogs, not humans. This is a behaviour and dominance issue. #1 if any of my dogs growled b/c someone who lives in the house came into the room they would be removed from the room-right quick! Your dog has decided your daughter is beneath him on the scale of who belongs where. You have accomodated him by giving him his own room, his own furniture, and now you're considering a/c?? Sorry, I really do not agree with you on this. Coming from 15 years of behaviourism in canine alone, all I see is dominance issues and not 'jealousy'.
I worked at Petsmart for 4 years as a trainer. Teaching dogs how to obey and behave. In Rusty's case it is pure jealousy. My daughter Aliesha doesn't have to touch Rusty and he will go after her. If he is in the room and my daughter walks in, his hair automatically stands up and he growles. Aliesha keeps her distance from him, at this point I don't think she really likes him too well. He was our one and only for so long that he resents her for being there. My husband and I have concidered putting a/c into our garage and adding a doggie door. We already have 2 couch's out there for him to lay on. (Just so it still feels like home) Although if we do this, we are going to get Aliesha a dog of her own. She deserves to have an animal that she can love and bond with. Not having any brothers or sisters to play with, it is important for her mental development. I don't know how Rusty will take that either. My husband and I both take turns spending time with Rusty. We have tried to hold Rusty and let Aliesha give him treats, and a small pat on the head. But as soon as the food is gone, he wants nothing to do with her. I've tried everything taught to me when I trained at Petsmart and nothing works.
A. Trainers (even great trainers) are not necessarily behaviorists
B. I think rehoming this dog is the best option. I think you are right, he wants nothing to do with your daughter. It isn't fair to her, or him to force them to try to live together
C. I can't remember how old your daughter is, I thought three? (like my son). IMO, no three year old needs a dog for friendship. Wait until she is old enough to take on some responsiblity, and has some empathy for animals…five or six is a more appropriate age for getting a dog for a child. If YOU want to get a dog, that is another story...but don't do it because you think the child NEEDS a dog.
nomrbddgs,
Everyone is entitled to their own oppinion. Not to sound rude but this is MY situation and I will handle it how I see fit. Dogs are VERY MUCH like humans and have FEELINGS. If you believe any different I'm sorry. I DO remove Rusty from the room when he growles at my daughter. I would be stupid to stand there and say " go ahead and do it again." Dogs are domesticated animals and we have the means to treat them right. I would give my dog nothing less then the best I have to offer him. What just because he is a dog and does not like my daughter , should I leash him or put him in a dog house outside? That is obsurd. Thank you for your input but please do not respond to me again. I am looking for a good home for my dog. That is my #1 priority. I am not looking for advise on his behavior. You do not live in my house and have not been through what I have been through. Again thank your for your input but I am going through enough right now, I can do without the rude response and talking down to.
A. Trainers (even great trainers) are not necessarily behaviorists
B. I think rehoming this dog is the best option. I think you are right, he wants nothing to do with your daughter. It isn't fair to her, or him to force them to try to live together
C. I can't remember how old your daughter is, I thought three? (like my son). IMO, no three year old needs a dog for friendship. Wait until she is old enough to take on some responsiblity, and has some empathy for animals…five or six is a more appropriate age for getting a dog for a child. If YOU want to get a dog, that is another story...but don't do it because you think the child NEEDS a dog.
Thank you for your input. You seem very nice and knowledgeable. Yes it is I who wants a dog. Especially once Rusty is gone, I will be so lost without him. I have to give him 12-14 pills a day for his Fanconi, not to mention all of the water he consumes. At the same time my daughter LOVES animals. Her grandma has 2 dogs and she loves them so much, and they love her.
I did not mean to be rude, but I HAVE been through your situation. You don't know what other's have been through either so don't yell at me.
Thank you for your input. You seem very nice and knowledgeable. Yes it is I who wants a dog. Especially once Rusty is gone, I will be so lost without him. I have to give him 12-14 pills a day for his Fanconi, not to mention all of the water he consumes. At the same time my daughter LOVES animals. Her grandma has 2 dogs and she loves them so much, and they love her.
Thanks, I try to be nice, and try to be knowledgable 
I have to tell you though, that it makes people like those of us on this list crazy when people want to give up a dog (especially an old dog) because he has become too much work. Either because of health or behavior problems.
Good luck. I hope BRAT can help you. I will say a prayer that your dog finds his forever home, and lives several more happy years.
Thanks, Andrea. I know I tend to go overboard, because of these situations. But I do know how Rustyroo feels, I've been there. I love all my dogs like they're babies and it does tear you up when you need to give them up-regardless of the reason. Rustyroo has taken care of her dogs extremely well and gone above and beyond the call most others would ignore.
Thanks, Andrea. I know I tend to go overboard, because of these situations. But I do know how Rustyroo feels, I've been there. I love all my dogs like they're babies and it does tear you up when you need to give them up-regardless of the reason. Rustyroo has taken care of her dogs extremely well and gone above and beyond the call most others would ignore.
Been there too….haven't been able to give anybody up yet Ask me if we have too many dogs
Thank you so much for saying that. Because that is exactly how I feel. I love him with all my heart and it is tearing me apart. I have cried for 3 days now. I feel like I am abandoning him when he needs me the most. I will try to contact them and again thank you!!!!!
It is not easy, I am sure. Just know that whoever BRAT finds will be a good fit.
When I went to BRAT it was because I wanted a basenji, not just any dog a basenji. I also went to them because I wanted a rescue dog, I could afford a cute little puppy, but I wanted one that I could change his life for the better. I wanted to make a difference.
Mine actually came from a not so great home where he was neglected, isolated and possibly hit (?). I had the rare chance of going on the pick up, he didnt go to foster first, straight to me. I still remember what my "adoption agent" said before we went in to get him: As bad as the home is and as horrible as we think the treatment was, just remember that right now she is doing the kindest thing for the dog (something like that anyway). I am so grateful to the origional owner for placing him with BRAT.
Not exactally the same situation, but most people will realize that you are doing this out of love for you dog.
Dont be ashamed, this is an act of kindness.
I am going to give you some advice - once you do place your boy - don't get another dog right away. It will be too soon there will be too many compairisons etc. Give yourselves some time to grieve and I do have to respond to your child needing a dog for bonding and developing relationships. As someone who deals with dogs and children at a variety of developmental stages - that is not true - matter of fact the usual pattern is that family gets dog and about the time that the 'puppy' is 8 - kid is too busy with Ballet, soccer, Hockey, piano lessons etc. and the dog is turned over to rescue. (The last 3 dogs I took in were this same story)
If you are going to get another dog - consider a 5 year old and by the time your child is busy doing other things- the dog will be gone - harsh but practical.
I would just love to take this boy. I do not have any children, I do have another B and a Rat Terrier. But I also have alot of patience, and a really big heart. My Rat is 11 years old, almost blind, arthritic, and just plain old. I will keep him to his dying days, whatever it takes, because thats what we do. Our pets don't pick us ,we pick them. I know I shouldn't say this, but I feel like people should be more responsible when choosing a pet. If my B bites anyone, they will just have to bite him back. LOL Basenji rescue is a great idea, but I'm sure there is a way to balance this family. I just hate the idea that someone has to give up their pet of 10 years, so sad. I guess I'm too optimistic, but how did it get to this point? Was he always a biter? I'm kidding about the biting back, please, don't scold me. Not to mention the fact that he needs special care, he will be so lost without his family. I'm so sad for this boy!
IMHO…defensive biting is no reason to give up a pet. Unprovoked offensive biting is a different story. My dog has bitten 2x both out of fear & really because it was MY fault not hers. I put her in a situation she couldn't handle & I should have known better given her history.
It's been my experience that a dog that bites out of fear will continue to bite if it feels it needs to defend himself. If the dog is put in a situation where it doesn't feel afraid or defensive it won't bite. It's as simple as that.
I'll get off my soapbox now 
I hate to preach but I've been volunteering at a shelter & I see WAY too many..."oh he's an aggressive dog" situations when in reality the dog is FAR from aggressive..it's just afraid.
Imo, the difference between a nip and a bite is if the skin is broken and they draw blood.
Puppies and some uneducated adult dogs nip…its not something anyone wants, but imo it can be corrected.
A bite, a totally diffent issue and something that should be eval. on a case by case event.
