I always ask people whether they like cats. I tell them a Basenji is a lot like a cat in a dog's body. They're smart, know what you want, but prefer to please themselves rather than you. Then I give them my tag line (which I use for Arabian horses as well) 😉
Howdy from West Texas, USA
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Welcome!
Isn't that pretty unusual, for a basenji to be a service dog? How's that training going?
And, yes, pix please!
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I always visualized a basenji 'guide dog for the blind' dragging a poor blind person along behind them! Not your usual service dog, indeed! We look forward to hearing lots about KD.
Anne in Tampa
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Welcome to the forum! Can't wait to see pics of, and hear stories about, your KD
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I got KD from Nancy Wilson. Her kennel is outside of Abilene, TX.
Nancy walked me through the kennel and the puppies followed Nancy to the gate except for KD. KD stayed to check me out though the chain link, smelling my hand and my breath. I know that's a weird way to look for a companion, but selecting the pup the most interested in me seems to work.
KD's training is going well, she is not really interested in food or treats– which is the way all of the classes here are taught. So with mixed feelings, I'm offering treats for every thing positive. But, I think she was doing just fine with praise and petting.
My current service dog is a Manchester Terrier, not a typical choice either. April has given me seizure alerts with 15 to 30 minutes to spare since she was 18 weeks old. She trained very quickly and has been a wonderful companion, reliable and easy maintenance. Her only fault is barking, a lot.
Guide dogs for the blind have it easy, when they get their partner home, they are off duty. Seizure alert or response dogs work 24/7.
I'm hoping KD stays reserved around strangers and enjoys "going". That's the toughest part for SDs is walking everywhere in all weather. So far she has impressed everyone with her "maturity". She is patient, quiet and seems to study everything.
I have lots of reading to do here on the forum, will upload photos soon.
Thanks again for the warm welcome, I'm looking forward to learning more about all of you and your families. -
Sounds like fun…. has KD's sire and dam been DNA tested for Fanconi?
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I understand they were tested and Fanconi free, but I have nothing on paper to show that for sure.
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I am very impressed that you are training your basenji to be a service dog. Keep us updated on this Ihave heard but never met a B that was certified.
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If it's the DNA linkage test that was done on them, the results are made public at the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. You can do a search using the registered names of the sire and dam:
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Welcome to the forum - pictures please when you get a chance. And keep us appraised of how her training goes.
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So much going on, I've missed the forum. KD. and I have been taking classes together. Starting with puppy classes, KD has done well.
Two weeks ago, we were walking home from class and suddenly confronted by a pitbull. I tried to pick up KD to protect her, but she wheeled around to face the charging dog and calmly sat down. I yelled "sit" at the pitbull, and "down" and every thing else I could think of, then I noticed KD's ears were trained backward. There were two pitbulls, one had circled through the field and was coming up behind us, while the first growled and barked at us to keep attention on him. Finally, as both dogs are circling us, the owner came out and yelled repeatedly to get them back in his pickup. He drove off immediately. These were 70 to 80 pound dogs to KD's 24 pounds.
I called my trainer, Ed Nicks, a retired police K9 handler/trainer. He was amazed. KD and I both could have been shredded. The pitbulls were looking for a fight and KD simply sat down and ignored them. My older service dog, in spite of her training would have turned around ready to fight– and we both would have been mauled if not killed. I'm so thankful for KD's behavior, I don't know why she chose to sit quietly, but she stopped the attack. If the owner had not come out, I don't know what would have happened. The dogs might have attacked us anyway, but KD bought us critical time.
Has anyone any ideas on how to deal with attacking dogs?
Sarg. Nicks suggests a cattle prod/walking stick. -
So much going on, I've missed the forum. KD. and I have been taking classes together. Starting with puppy classes, KD has done well.
Two weeks ago, we were walking home from class and suddenly confronted by a pitbull. I tried to pick up KD to protect her, but she wheeled around to face the charging dog and calmly sat down. I yelled "sit" at the pitbull, and "down" and every thing else I could think of, then I noticed KD's ears were trained backward. There were two pitbulls, one had circled through the field and was coming up behind us, while the first growled and barked at us to keep attention on him. Finally, as both dogs are circling us, the owner came out and yelled repeatedly to get them back in his pickup. He drove off immediately. These were 70 to 80 pound dogs to KD's 24 pounds.
I called my trainer, Ed Nicks, a retired police K9 handler/trainer. He was amazed. KD and I both could have been shredded. The pitbulls were looking for a fight and KD simply sat down and ignored them. My older service dog, in spite of her training would have turned around ready to fight– and we both would have been mauled if not killed. I'm so thankful for KD's behavior, I don't know why she chose to sit quietly, but she stopped the attack. If the owner had not come out, I don't know what would have happened. The dogs might have attacked us anyway, but KD bought us critical time.
Has anyone any ideas on how to deal with attacking dogs?
Sarg. Nicks suggests a cattle prod/walking stick.
