@basenjicurious
It’s great that you’re doing your homework on the basenji. I think the reason you read all these “horror stories” is because they are not your typical dog. They are a beautiful and highly intelligent breed with a very strong prey drive. My Kembe is my first basenji but I was familiar with the breed because my brothers were basenji owners. I got her when she was 1years old - she was returned to the breeder by the previous owners. Kembe has never been destructive, she has free reign of our house, and I can leave her at home alone. It’s extremely important to exercise them regularly - especially exercise and stimulate their minds, and establish a routine (I can set my watch to my dog). They are definitely trainable - it scares me to see how smart she is and also well behaved. Basenjis are extremely lovable and hilariously funny. If I have a treat that my dog especially likes - she will do her whole “repertoire of tricks” without me even asking her. She dances to let me know it’s time to eat and will sit right next to me and hit me with her paw when she wants to go for her walk.
I think our basenji chose us - when we went to the breeders home to look at her - She jumped up next to my husband on the couch and curled up! I was sold on her! I really hope you find a basenji that right for you!
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Basenji or horse?
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Yoga dog?
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My dog does exactly that. We make fun of her cause she always does it when we come home. We tell her "Bow to your parents". And I always thought she acted more like a horse when she plays. She rears up and paws and so many other crazy things. She is like the best dog ever.
Always puts a smile on my face no matter what. -
anyone else have a dog who does "yoga"? Rocke will do "downward dog" and "plank" right after waking up.
Squiggy does all the time when ever he wakes up. he goes from the downward dog to a cobra. very funny.
He also makes huge "yawn" noises afterwards. -
I think our dog is more mule than horse. If she does not want to go somewhere on a walk she plants her butt and will not move!!
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Yep, Sahara does all of the above. She does the B-500 when we say, "I am going to get you"! She takes off, and runs in the den up on the couch, around the recliner, around the dining room table, around the coffee table in the living room, up on the living room couch and back going through my legs and then out the doggie door, and right back in. She is sooooo funny and wears me out b/c I am chasing her. I like to play this with her when she has not had enough exercise. When she is done with the run she is totally give out, and goes to sleep. She also tries to find places to hide her treats (only when she is not hungry), my couch, recliner and carries it around in her mouth while whinning if she is trying to find the perfect place. She has whined so much before that I take it and hide it for her showing her where it is, she is usually happy when I find a spot. She also stretches out after sleeping making weird noises and such. I agree that these dogs are unique and that's why we love them so much, even though they take lots of patience.
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With basenji's you have to be very strong, but treat them so delicately.
It's so easy to cush their spirit.
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With basenji's you have to be very strong, but treat them so delicately.
It's so easy to cush their spirit.
My free spirit was crushed almost as soon as I brought Duke home. (he was the CUTEST puppy / tasmanian devil! :eek: ) If I have bruised his spirit, he comes back with immediate face licking. :p :p He is a good boy now!
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When our tri was about a year old he pulled on his walks like a maniac- Yes we went thru leash training which he was a model dog, but when you went on straight walks he would start his crap again, so then I would do the training on the walk, again acts perfect (starting, stopping, turning, at randon-correcting when he goes ahead or turning around going the other way). So acts perfec tly on the training manuevers, but on walk mode he goes back to pulling. He knows training mode & he figured out regular walk mode.
Anyway we got sick of it and bought on of those collors with the spikes inside of it (a obediance class recomended trying it).
I put on the collar, he took off, I gave the leash a quick correction and he was startled and stopped dead in his tracks. He turned around shocked and looked up to me in the eye with a really hurt and pitiful look like "why are you doing this to me?"
I felt terrible I felt like I beat him or something. I took him home and put his regular cloth choke collar on.
We now have an agreement worked out between us. I allow him to stop & sniff, without yanking his leash and he does not pull on the leash on me (loose leash).
It's funny because when he has to go poop he pulls on the leash to the side because he has to go. So what he does is, he pulls me over, stops and looks up at me like saying "I have to go poop!" and I walk him back & forth till he goes.
My wife's sister took the dogs for a walk and had the tri. He kept stopping looking up at her all puzzled.
He's the only dog I ever met that actually looks up at people "in the eye" like he's trying to talk to you.
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I put on the collar, he took off, I gave the leash a quick correction and he was startled and stopped dead in his tracks. He turned around shocked and looked up to me in the eye with a really hurt and pitiful look like "why are you doing this to me?"
I felt terrible I felt like I beat him or something. I took him home and put his regular cloth choke collar on.
We now have an agreement worked out between us. I allow him to stop & sniff, without yanking his leash and he does not pull on the leash on me (loose leash).
Very smart little tri. It is so great when with training, you know you've established a way to communicate with each other. I too have had to cause discomfort using his head collar. Sure, he hates it and I feel bad, but I have to use it. (Maybe I should try the spike collar - once
)Duke also gives me eye contact when he wants something. If I don't look at him, he will paw/claw at me until I look at his sweet undeniable dark eyes. :rolleyes:
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I think that alone makes me bonded to my dog, it's like a person is inside trying to tell me things. Those soulful, sorry and loving expression, peering, making eye contact.
