Thinking about getting a Basenji, need help!!
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The only person I've met personally on that list is Laurie Owen. She has very nice dogs and does all the proper health testing.
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Don't know if Tammen bred this year, but she could give you legitimate referrals. Stay away from harmony and Nocturnal
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Have you contacts the BCOA breeder referral? They would help match you up with legitimate people who have available dogs
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Laurie Owen still has available pups, contact her soon or you may not have any under 15 weeks left as most are born Nov and Dec
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Don't know if Tammen bred this year, but she could give you legitimate referrals. Stay away from harmony and Nocturnal
Agreed…. and the prices that Harmony asks for pups is way out of line compared to responsible breeders
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Sorry if I sound like the negative one, but you want the dog right now, you've chosen the breed based on looks, you're going away to college… this is a recipe for disaster.
I hate to dwell in cliches, but would you have a child right now? The commitment is very similar. Knowing what I know now about dog ownership (and about college!), I'm incredibly grateful I didn't have a dog to take care of when I was a student.
Basenjis - in my admittedly limited experience - like to get closely attached to one person. If that person is you, your dog will be depressed when you go away. If that person is your mum, or whoever you leave the dog with, the question is, does that person truly want a dog? and do you mind that your dog will be more closely bonded to someone else than you?
My girl is generally considered pretty well trained; she does tricks, agility, and has even done some film work. I 'worked' with her 1 to 3 hours a day from the day we brought her home for an entire year (and of course still train together daily since). Not 3 hours in one sitting, obviously, but little by little throughout the day, teaching her to come to me and ignore distractions, playing learning games, clicker training, exercising outdoors, socialising her, attending classes, and being consistent in her training and rewards. I chose to adopt her at a time I knew I'd be working from home. Despite all this, I still have to be careful where I let her off leash, she still whines a LOT when she wants something she's not getting, and she'll still start trashing the house if we're not out on our walk by noon every single day. Basenjis are said to be like cats, but don't let it fool you: they can be fantastically high maintenance. Having her also limited the amount of travelling I could do (although admittedly, I don't like travelling without her anyway) and at times has had an impact on my social life.
I understand your impatience, but I beg you to reconsider - or at the very least, to be very, very careful making this decision. It's easy to get sucked into the excitement of the arrival of a new puppy or dog, but the impact of this decision will last 15 years.
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Like Anubis said, I can attest that (I'm in my mid twenties)..that Oakley has had a tremendous effect on my traveling. He is three and I haven't been anywhere. On top of just having a dog I have a dog that is such a liability if out of my control. He is too unpredictable in a kennel surrounded by other dogs being dog aggressive and he could take that out on a worker, I worry his bad separation anxiety could ruin a kennel..he could escape or be in the hands of an inexperienced worker. I can't have my friend and dog walker who is a boarder board him because she has dogs (which he gets along with but could never cohabitate with given his guarding and possession)..and he is so difficult I couldn't even trust friends or family with him whether it be because he requires a special diet, would door dash or be so overwhelmed with his anxiety over my leaving that he could possibly bite someone. I just never know when he's outside of my presence what he could do and I know what he is capable of and so for me..the liability isn't worth it. It also really does limit social life..my
Best friend has three dogs but Oakley can't go to her house so when I'm not working I want to be with him..I have super guilt going out, I wouldn't be able to stay out all night or sleep at a dates house…even dating I have to be with someone who understand my job as his caregiver and be ok with such a huge responsibility..I knew I'd be giving stuff up when I got my boy but I never realized how restricted I would feel at times. Owning a dog really is a commitment and requires a selflessness; even if your lifestyle might suit it now..think about the future. You are at a time in your life where you are going through so many transitions..school,living arrangements, meeting people, meeting a partner...you should have the freedom to sleep out on a whim, go on a vacations with a partner..Like I said, I don't regret Oakley and I love him...but having him has made my life much harder in certain aspects and there are times I wish I had the freedom to make decisions only based upon myself.
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I would add to the above that I got my first Basenji when I was young and in transition socially. I discovered I was in over my head, and I was fortunate to find her a loving home with three children (Val adored children), where she lived out her life happily. I kept in touch with them, and I never regretted my decision to give her up. Being an absentee owner is less than ideal, and Basenjis take a lot of time if you are going to do them justice. Believe me, I know what it's like to be young and impulsive. Been there, done that!!
I told Val's story on this forum a few years back: http://www.basenjiforums.com/showthread.php?11775-quot-You-can-t-do-that-with-a-Basenji!-quot&highlight=
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Sorry if I sound like the negative one, but you want the dog right now, you've chosen the breed based on looks, you're going away to college… this is a recipe for disaster.
I hate to dwell in cliches, but would you have a child right now? The commitment is very similar. Knowing what I know now about dog ownership (and about college!), I'm incredibly grateful I didn't have a dog to take care of when I was a student.
Basenjis - in my admittedly limited experience - like to get closely attached to one person. If that person is you, your dog will be depressed when you go away. If that person is your mum, or whoever you leave the dog with, the question is, does that person truly want a dog? and do you mind that your dog will be more closely bonded to someone else than you?
My girl is generally considered pretty well trained; she does tricks, agility, and has even done some film work. I 'worked' with her 1 to 3 hours a day from the day we brought her home for an entire year (and of course still train together daily since). Not 3 hours in one sitting, obviously, but little by little throughout the day, teaching her to come to me and ignore distractions, playing learning games, clicker training, exercising outdoors, socialising her, attending classes, and being consistent in her training and rewards. I chose to adopt her at a time I knew I'd be working from home. Despite all this, I still have to be careful where I let her off leash, she still whines a LOT when she wants something she's not getting, and she'll still start trashing the house if we're not out on our walk by noon every single day. Basenjis are said to be like cats, but don't let it fool you: they can be fantastically high maintenance. Having her also limited the amount of travelling I could do (although admittedly, I don't like travelling without her anyway) and at times has had an impact on my social life.
I understand your impatience, but I beg you to reconsider - or at the very least, to be very, very careful making this decision. It's easy to get sucked into the excitement of the arrival of a new puppy or dog, but the impact of this decision will last 15 years.
I concur, concur!!! please have respect for the breed's needs and long life span!!!!!
