We're Basenji-sitting!

Basenji Talk

  • Hello! I just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Ursula and I live in Tripoli, Libya (for work, originally I'm from the US and still call Houston, TX home). When we moved here 6 months ago, we brought all of our animals with us - 2 labrador retrievers, and three cats.

    The reason I joined this board is that we're dog-sitting a friend/colleague's Basenji, Louie, for a bit over three weeks (while she's traveling for business and the vacation). I think Louie is about 3 years old, his owner has only had him for a couple of months, and adopted him as an adult. He's an "only child" and I know she "spoils" him and loves him very much.

    He's painfully shy but seems very sweet. He's met our dogs and cats already and is fine with them - not playful, but all the body language is that he's very comfortable (ears up, head high, tail curled up on his back, bouncy trot). But his Mom warned us that he's very, very timid in new situations. His first night with us was last night, and he seemed fine. Better than we expected, actually.

    I am not familiar with the breed at all, so I know I'll have questions. Any pointers or advice you can offer right off the bat?

    Thanks in advance.


  • Get ready for sneaky activities :D


  • I suspect he should be feeling very comfortable in a few days and will start playing (if he's the playing type) with your other dogs. Unless he's not use to being around other dogs. I would just keep your eye on him to make sure he doesn't get into any trouble.


  • But watch for the minute that he becomes "comfortable"… ggg... that is when they push the envelope.....

Suggested Topics

  • To sit or not to sit?

    Basenji Talk
    16
    0 Votes
    16 Posts
    3k Views
    BarklessdogB
    Our dog refuses to sit on our tile floor. He has to sit on the rug (floor too cold for his tushy) [image: cheese.jpg]
  • Who's Basenjis' actually howl/yodel?

    Basenji Talk
    35
    0 Votes
    35 Posts
    13k Views
    RockysWomanR
    Rocky yodels… like these dogs do: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iTlEwTOzm0 Especially when we come home. Complete with the "lightswitch" tail flick and happy feet dance!
  • Basenji's and Puppies

    Basenji Talk
    7
    0 Votes
    7 Posts
    3k Views
    lvossL
    @spitfirekrl1: He doesn't seem to mind much he pretty much ignores it except when she pins him and he ends up on his back. Then he'll start snapping at her face which doesn't seem to steer her away from her objective (we have no idea what that is at this point). When she pins him she wants submission. She wants him to not struggle and nip and he should calm before she lets him go. Momma dogs do this to their puppies, it is part of puppy education. They do it most to the puppies that are the most pushy usually. In our last litter, Zeke always expected to get his way and he was the one who was pinned by both mom and Rio the most. He learned that by submitting he was allowed to go back to play. When he crossed the line, by playing too rough or invading the adults personal space he was pinned. He learned the limits to play and how to behave appropriately with adults from this. The other pups would get the same treatment but less because they didn't push those boundaries as much.
  • Washing Basenji's

    Basenji Talk
    10
    0 Votes
    10 Posts
    3k Views
    ArtiA
    I wash my dogs teeth every day. On beginning was hard…they do not like this-however I can this make. Care about teeth is very important-I use paste-STOMAGEL and Petosan.
  • I don't own a basenji, but I'm looking for info…

    Basenji Talk
    17
    0 Votes
    17 Posts
    6k Views
    L
    Oh WOW, you guys are sooooo helpful. Thanks DDS for the link, that was especially helpful. I'm just intrigued with this breed for some reason, and I'm not sure why. Reading what all of you have to say is better that the typical things that you read on the computer. They all just repeat the same thing over and over where as all of you can give me personal experiances. I know all puppies are a lot of hard work, but compared to other dog (which I see some of you have had other breeds) are they actually a lot tougher? All pups like to chew and get into trouble but are they especially hard to train. Lets say with housebreaking and such? Oh and for all of you that have cats too, do they stay out of the kitty box or are the prone to make there way there, if you catch what I'm saying. I read they they are very clean and often times will clean themselves like a cat does. Really? And they are aloof like cats? Soooo much info and I would rather hear all of this from you than get false info. HELP!!
  • Hahha all about the basenji's

    Basenji Talk
    5
    0 Votes
    5 Posts
    2k Views
    LucythebasenjiL
    @Basenji_Boy: Great job on the photo work…....I just love that hooded sweatshirt.:D lol the hoodie is my masterpiece many people have seen it on the web akread and many think its a real hood but if u look closely u can see my cheek just to the right of lucy's nose thanx for the comment