Hello from Wyoming… wtf yeah, I didn't studder... but I do sometimes.

[eeeefarm]

You do have to be careful introducing a new dog to cats, but in my experience they do differentiate between "their" cats and strange cats. My dogs always thought strangers were fair game to chase, but knew I didn't approve of any aggression towards ours. My Border Collie would allow the barn cats to eat out of his dish, but he would put any trespassing cats off the property, pronto! The Basenjis tolerated our cats, but since they were outdoor cats they didn't have a lot of interaction with them. Mostly they would ignore the cats if they wandered past the dog run, but again, a strange cat would evoke a pretty strong reaction!

[dmey]

Welcome and congratulations.. Senji looks awesome.. Nice dark rim eyes , nose and lips…

I think as long as you provide the cats with plenty of safe places to climb and possible dog free nighttime... Like if the dog sleeps in your room they can have the rest of th house.. They are asleep most of the day anyway!! You should be fine... He will chase but cats can defend and I would worry more about damage to senji by the cats!!!

[eeeefarm]

@dmey:

He will chase but cats can defend and I would worry more about damage to senji by the cats!!!

That was my theory when we first moved to the farm with two Basenjis. Farm "came with" a barn cat that was used to two large dogs. "Minnie" was sitting up on a window ledge when the girls spotted her. Lady, the older Basenji who had very much of a "live & let live" attitude, wasn't bothered about the cat, but Tamu wanted very much to go after it. I was younger then, and foolish, so I thought, "let her find out that cats can defend themselves" and let go of the leash. I expected a mad rush to the wall just below the window, and then perhaps some jumping which the cat would likely counter with a swat. Both the cat and I underestimated the Basenji. Tamu ran to the wall, all right, but didn't stop. In one smooth leap she grabbed the cat's tail and yanked. A blur of fur, and the cat went up a nearby tree, unhurt but nerves rattled somewhat. Tamu was also unscathed, and I had learned my lesson! (they went on to tolerate each other, although there was little love lost on either side.)

Moral of the story: Expect the unexpected!

[Buana]

Welcome to the forum!

We also have cats & Basenji's and the basenjis seem to accept right away the cats are a part of the family.
Our oldest cat Spaiky is a very large cat that isn't a normal one, his father is a wild cat and Spaiky has his character.
I'm the only one human that has his complete trust, he didn't like the little red and white playfull thing at first and went under the bed, but after a few hours he came to check our Buana.
The young cat, he came last year, is a Bengal cat.
A bengal character is very much like a Basenji and he is totally in love with the boys.
He can do whatever he wants, whenever he wants. Sleep on top of them, bite them in the neck to ask for a play etc.

I can only say, please be carefull with the introduction. Keep them in your eyes but don't tell them what to do.
Don't force it and just "let them be" if there isn't a fight you can just give them some time.

[natnatsupercat]

How are things going for you in the adoption process? I'm excited for you! We also have a cat (she came before the Basenji), and we were slow in introducing them. We had Fancy on her leash when she met Kitty for the first time. They sniffed each other and didn't seem too interested. Over time though Fancy, Albert (our other dog) and Kitty have become great friends. She follows us on our walks and sometimes naps with the dogs. It will just take a little time for Senji to learn that your cat is a friend and not a toy. : )

[JakeHoffman]

The humane society wants a meet and greet with Moose the Dachshund and to test to see if Sengi is cat aggressive. He saw Spirit, a blind and deaf kitty, in the lobby the other day and was quite curious, and I know he'll be a bit over zealous when meeting my kitties, but they're used to being the little things in a large world, when I first got them I was also the owner of one ridiculous party house, so they dealt with my friends and random folks all the time, and really just love the attention.

[Voodoo]

Is it that hard over there to adopt a dog? Over here, you walk in, point at a dog, have a 5min chat and walk out with the dog. End of story.

[JakeHoffman]

Seems to be, they have a 3-5 day application processing wait period. It's been a pain but i'm hoping they call me tomorrow, I'm just going to bring Moose up there tomorrow.

[Patty]

They are obviously very careful about placing which although from the adopters point of view is frustrating in my opinion is good. Some of our rescue societies in the UK are very strict and some in my opinion, too easy.

[JakeHoffman]

GREAT NEWS!!!

The meet and greet went more than awesome, Senji seemed uninterested in the cat once she puffed up once and then she even calmed down around him, this was done in a tiny room at the humane society, so in our home it should be even better.

Senji and Moose bonded instantly, Moose was already trying to get him to play!

The Humane Society was blown away at how awesome it went! I was too!

My old vet lost my records, or the doctor took them home for some reason. I have to wait over the weekend for them to find them and go get Senji once they have my cat's records.

SO, I'm a bit bummed I don't get him this weekend but Senji is definitely on his way to his forever home and you could see how excited he was when we were all hanging out as a family.

I'm more than excited and more than thankful for the support I've received from the community.

Keep an eye out, I love taking pictures of my animals and sharing info I learn.

I might buy a clicker, but I have a quick gentle snap I'm pretty good at when the kitties get into trouble, so I'm gonna try that.

[Moth]

Congratulations…

I am looking forward to hearing all about Senji as he adjusts to his new home

[JakeHoffman]

SENJI IS HOME!

That's all for now, I will be taking pictures and video a bunch in the first few days I do assume.

[Patty]

Wonderful news!

[Voodoo]

Nice!!!
Looking forward to the pics and video's!!

[curlytails]

Big smiles! Can't wait to hear how your new fur family gets along.

[Moth]

@JakeHoffman:

SENJI IS HOME!

That's all for now, I will be taking pictures and video a bunch in the first few days I do assume.

Hooray

Congratulations!!!

[agilebasenji]

oh goodie! cant wait to hear more

[JakeHoffman]

We've got Senji home and things get better by the hour.

Here's a couple more photos

Here's a classy sleeping position…

He's been great with people, less great with dogs a bit bigger than him, he think's hes some sort of bully and pretty unpredictably gets ferocious… Whats your thought on curbing this behavior?

He's possessive of rawhides and pretty snap aggressive with other dogs, I've been trying to get a hold of him quickly and get his attention from the aggressive activity. Any Basenji specific ideas?

[krunzer]

He looks totally content! Congrats on him finding a new home.

[Moth]

He looks like he is making himself at home

I can not remember is he living with another dog or just the kitties?

I would only give high value items like chews when the dogs are separated and can eat in peace. We feed in the crates here…it just makes it easier to avoid potential trouble that way. So I would not allow rawhides to be available if there are other dogs around

You can try to do some training and desensitization to see if you can get him to be less dog reactive...bear in mind though that some dogs are just not good with other dogs. Basenjis seem to like some dogs and take instant dislike to others... Don't make him meet other dogs if he is showing signs of getting snarky. He may do better with females by the way