What did I get myself into?

[Alex]

Congratulations and welcome to the forum!

[nobarkus]

Welcome Kanga's Mom! You'll do just fine. I got my first Basenji in 1975. My Mother's friend gave her to me. She's goes "you want a 6 month old Basenji"? I said a Ba what"?? Never even heard of the breed. No internet, no friends that ever heard of one, nothing. I had that dog for 17-1/2 wonderful years! She was my best bud. I did it and so can you. But this time we're here to help. So as you go along let us know how it's going.

[AJs Human]

Lots and lots of exercise. Basenji are active dogs and need positive stimulation. Also, they are problem-solvers, much more so than most other breeds. Many can climb trees (a holdover from the African use of sending them after game birds) and chain-link fences are just another exercise toy. AJ can be up and over a 6-foot chain-link fence in a matter of seconds.

The intelligence level of Basenji has been rated as nearly that of a 10-year-old child, so mental stimulation is a great idea, too. Try one of those toys for toddlers that has stuff rolling around inside a clear shell. She'll spend some time trying to get to the stuff inside. I have noticed with AJ that he picks up on words my dad's golden retriever could never understand. (No offense to G-R owners, because they are very intelligent too, but in different ways.) AJ was trained by his previous owner to notify when he is feeling sick to his stomach. He still does this and I almost always have time to get him outside before the whoops happens. I don't know of any other breed that is able to do this. Also, he taught himself how to open a wing-window that was latched and let himself out of my old truck. I found him sitting on my friends' front porch patiently waiting for me to come out.

Since Basenji are pack dogs, they need socialization or they tend to become timid and snippy. Take your little girl to the fair, street markets, around children, other dogs, etc. If she is already a little timid, do it carefully and she will come out of her shell.

Leashes are kind of a joke to them. They know a cloth leash can be chewed within 30 seconds. My grandmother always used those light chain leashes for hers for this very reason. I have to watch AJ and verbally correct him when his mouth just starts for the leash. I couldn't find any chain leashes and can't run as fast as him anyway, so I bought a Flexi for a 110-lb dog. It gives him room to run, but is strong enough and thick enough to handle his energy. This works on a truck, but if you have a yard, set up a zip-line for her with a cable or light chain lead or, best case, your yard is fenced with wood. She will love to lie around in the sunlight "catchin' rays" whenever she's run out of other stuff to do.

Look at your home from a dog's-eye view and try to avoid setting her up to get in trouble. An example: If I have to put the truck in the shop or go into a truck wash or any other type of garage, I crate AJ. He goes nuts when the truck is inside a building and eats everything he can reach, like the microphone cord for the CB. I know this, so I avoid having to get him in trouble by crating him.

You have to set ground rules and enforce them consistently but not cruelly. Basenji will push the limits just to find out exactly what they can get away with. Regardless of what you will hear from some nay-sayers, they are a very trainable breed. When I'm backing the truck and trailer, AJ likes to come see what's going on and where we are. He gets right into the middle of the passenger-side mirror. I just hook my thumb over my shoulder and tell him "Get out of the mirror." and he jumps in the back without hesitation. It only took me two weeks to train him to do that.

You will have a dog who loves you because she wants to, not because she has to. Since she is a rescue dog, like mine, it will be all that much more rewarding for both of you. That is what will make all this worth it. Cheers.

[agilebasenji]

Sounds like you got yourself into an adventure.

Here's a good place to start:
http://www.clickertraining.com/what_is_clicker_training

And you will want to (quickly) learn about crate training.

[crystalncody]

I recently found this, and I know it applies to Cody, so it may give you some idea.

Basenji Property Laws
1. If I like it, it's mine
2. If it's in my mouth, it's mine
3. If I had it a little while ago, it's mine
4. If I can take it from you, it's mine
5. If it's mine, it must never appear to be yours
6. If it just looks like mine, it's mine
7. If I saw it first, it's mine
8. If it's edible, it's mine
9. If you have something and put it down, it's mine
10. If I chew something up, all the pieces are mine
11. If I get tired of it, it's yours
12. If I want it back, it's mine

But seriously, have a sense of humor.
I am fairly new to basenjis as well (May 2009), but I wouldn't want to imagine life without Cody. He keeps life interesting!
Congrats, good luck, and welcome to the forum!

[KangasMom]

Heh- we know about crate training She actually came with her crate and was good in it both times we had her in it (to run out to the store and for bedtime). Thank GOODNESS she isn't a screamer!

Okay, well, off to read the puppy forum! Thanks for the congrats and hope to see ya'll around!

[tanza]

Do you know anything about her Sire and Dam? Did you happen to get papers for her? I would suggest that you invest in doing the Fanconi DNA test. You can learn about it and other Basenji health concerns at www.basenjihealth.org

[KangasMom]

She's puppymill pup, through-and-through. Her registry is ACA- I'm not even sure what that is. I don't think I have her actual 'papers' per se, I'll have to look back through everything, but I know she isn't AKC. So I'm pretty sure her parentage won't help out anyways!

Thanks for the health link- will check it out

[thunderbird8588]

Congratulations, Basenjis are wonderful Dogs. Great that you have rescued Kanga, with some hard work on your families part i'm sure she will be a pleasure.
This forum will be so very helpful to you, i wish it had been available when i got my Basenji.
Take time to study the threads and maybe copy and paste sections such as training etc, i know i could do with doing this before we get our next one,lol.

[BasenjiByTheBay]

Bless you for rescuing this girl. Can't add much to what everyone has said, except to reinforce: a tired basenji is a good basenji. As long as ours get their long walks or runs they're dolls. (and if they don't they're still dolls, but more like Chuckie LOL)

"my husband has thrown in the towel several times, and always over Otis..until we got Dotty, now he realizes how good Otis really is..lol."
Had to laugh at that, sort of how my husband felt about Fiji then Bongo.

[BasenjiByTheBay]

Oh, and you know we need a photo - she has to be cute, because that's how we all get into this in the beginning!