We love our Basenjis and it took several years to find the two youngsters we have now after our first died. But they do shed and are very eager to sit and be close to their human companions. One has a courser coat with dander the other a finer coat without and they both have the same diet.
@nodles91
OMG - I feel so sorry for you. My basenji is 13 years old - she have never peed or pooped in my house - even as a puppy. I was very vigilant about taking her outside often when she was young. She would then paw @ me when she needed to go outside. She would wake me up @ 1 and 2 am to take her out to do her business - I had my husband put in a doggie dog about 10 years ago and it has been a blessing. She still likes to do most her her business on her walks but has a poop/pee station she utilizes when she needs to.
Basenjis are very clean and like to be clean - hopefully you'll have success with his bathroom training.
@debradownsouth that was so completely dramatic. Calm down.
I never said my dog viciously attacks my children. He nips when he wants to play, often too hard. And he snaps when he gets frustrated over wanting their food. I said there have been bruises and minor punctures over the last year and a half. I didn't say it's a daily occurrence now, most were caused by rough play. And my children certainly aren't gushing blood and being rushed to the hospital. I'm not neglecting my children, and I'm not going to kill their dog either!
No, it isn't an ideal situation but i am doing absolutely everything to correct it (not standing idly by as you seem to suggest, are you having a bad day?), and while progress has been slow, it's still progress. The biting has not yet been entirely resolved, but it's a significant improvement from where we were last year.
I'm not sure what lead you to attack my behaviorist when i said no more than the fact that i have one. I didn't imply what his techniques were or how he works with the dog. Apparently you are psychic and were able to determine that he's clueless based on no information other than the fact that he exists lol.
I have on multiple occasions gone back to basics and kept him crated or on lead at all times, but he doesn't mind going in the crate, and he doesn't mind going right at my feet on the carpet. Once i interrupt him and run him outside its like he never had to go and he holds it again. Eventually with consistency i am able to get him to the point that he has very few to no accidents inside and he then earns more freedom inside. And then it rains and I'll have to start all over again....
And being a member of every basenji group there is, when seeking advice i have had others chime in that they have similar problems. Thats why i said it is not uncommon, i certainly didnt say it was the "norm".
Sure, i can put him in the crate during meals. And sometimes i have to when he's especially determined, but that's not fixing the problem the problem is still there, festering. You don't modify behavior by caging it. Behavior modification is a long process that takes dedication. That's what a BEHAVIORIST does.
I have read that basenjis are great in apartment situations because they choose to hold their pee longer than others. In my case that is very true. I don't live in an apartment and have had yards but both of mine would rather make me walk them instead of going in the yard. It was not until we bought a house with a half acre that they would even consider going in the yard and I had to make/train them to do so. I guess they don't like to dirty their living space 
fine with me.
Mine have only gone in the house in severe emergency and I felt my female I raised from a baby was very easy to train. I did not train our male (my boyfriend did) but he is just as good at never going in the house, even being alone for 7-8 hours. The breeder had already had our female box trained before I got her at 8 weeks so it was an easy transition. Start with the box always being near them when they play and sleep, You need to watch them and see the signs, you need to place them in the box sometimes.Then after they gain more control of their duties, move it to the door, when they go by the door and have not started to pee/poo yet, take them out. Then after they are used to that, remove the box and watch carefully for when they go by the door. Mine started to scratch the door, the male however used to stand at our feet or stare at us... He will now also go to the door. The one emergency was I away from home for most the day with a friend to walk her in the middle of the day and she got diarrhea. When I got home I could see she chewed at all the door handles, ripped down some window blinds, and tore all the jackets off the door hooks trying to get out. I felt so bad for her, she tried so hard 
I have not heard of other breeds with this behavior.
Rain and wet ground is an issue with basenjis, I will agree to that 100% - I had to force them onto the grass and tell them to go pee, go pee, go pee, go pee; in their more mature days, its not as hard. They will hold it in for hours and hours and stay in bed all day if you let them when its raining!
My two cents about biting, my boyfriend's male can get really rough and I don't like to excite him too much in fear of feeling the pain. My boyfriend and his two kids had always roughed house with him like that so I blame them for raising him that way... I always warn kids, don't mess with him and DONT RUN AWAY, he will get you. My female is very mellow and I have not had any issues like that with her, I trained her that way I would play with her and let her use her mouth but I would TALK to her and let her know when it was too hard.
And YES, never chase after them. I call their names so they look at me and run the opposite direction or pretend to bend down and be interested in something on the ground, works like a charm. You get them to play YOUR game.
Positive reinforcement and deterring bad behavior is the only way, Worked like a charm for me. Say, "no, that is my shoe, here play with your toy or chew your bone." Hand them the bone/toy.
My biggest warning for hopeful basenji owners is consider they are hunters and like to chase. typically, you cannot have them run free in any situation. They are not car/road smart and might run too far away chasing an animal. I used to have a nice, safe beach I would let my female run on 3-4 times a week and I trained her to come on command with the use of homemade chicken jerky, but typically, I think most basenjis will only come back to you when they are ready based on what I have read. I think I had spent so much time training my girl, she was sort of an exception . They are not like labs where you can have them free and they will safely follow you around.
@tanza
Shedding. Easy for care of a Basenji, just run a hacksaw blade over its skin area that is shredding. Hold the blade vertical as you draw it from head to tail.
[removed email address]
@nodles91 said in Hopeful Basenji Owner!:
@debradownsouth that was so completely dramatic. Calm down.
I never said my dog viciously attacks my children. He nips when he wants to play, often too hard. And he snaps when he gets frustrated over wanting their food. ....
.....not standing idly by as you seem to suggest, are you having a bad day?), ...The biting has not yet been entirely resolved, but it's a significant improvement from where we were last year.
.....I'm not sure what lead you to attack my behaviorist when i said no more than the fact that i have one. I didn't imply what his techniques were or how he works with the dog. Apparently you are psychic and were able to determine that he's clueless based on no information other than the fact that he exists lol. ....
...... with consistency i am able to get him to the point that he has very few to no accidents inside and he then earns more freedom inside. And then it rains and I'll have to start all over again....
.....Sure, i can put him in the crate during meals. And sometimes i have to when he's especially determined, but that's not fixing the problem the problem is still there, festering. You don't modify behavior by caging it. ...
#########
First. ...regarding your children..I don't need to comment further...your own posts demonstrate I wasn't bring dramatic.
>>>Biting! All puppies bite. Basenjis are worse. You can't yelp or say ow to teach bite inhibition because that exites them and they bite harder. The last year and a half has come with many bruises and minor punctures. He no longer bites me, but he still has a go at the kids from time to time because they are not as good at controlling their reaction....
Even though my kids have been bloodied and bruised by this dog...
The begging is more than just that, he will bite my kids trying to steal their food from them.....
2nd..your behaviorist
""I have a behaviorist i work with and i have been very focused on training from day one and it's still a struggle.....<<<<
Your failure to train even basic commands makes being a psychic unnecessary. The fact that you write that you get him trained but then it rains and you have to start all over tells me your behaviorist has failed words to grasp the need to keep up training for much longer, through rainy weather. Or you aren't being upfront. Sort of like in one post you write "So he refuses to potty outside and there has been pee and poop everywhere! ", but in the next you state you keep him right by you.
So maybe your behaviorist is great and you aren't following through..but most behaviorists would be really concerned about being connected with a dog like that who has drawn blood more than once. Whatever, it's obvious that there is very little progress when you have biting children, not housebroken, gets on furniture and has to be dragged off, won't stay when told...so a new person may help.
I have seen the damage done by even 30 pound dogs. So no, not drama.
@debradownsouth You're a gem, Debra. I've also said my dog knows basic commands, and knows them well. I've stated that we practice them daily. He's excellent when we are working with treats in the house, he stays, he sits, he lays, he rolls over, he goes to his crate on command, he spins, etc. But if he is given a command while he'd rather be doing something else, he chooses to ignore.
Yes i said "pee and poop everywhere!" while describing my personal experience with my basenji over the last YEAR AND A HALF because potty training has been a struggle. It was meant to be a colorful (humorous) description, not a literal description of what my house looks like at this very moment lol. You cannot be that dense. You're just looking for a fight.
A behaviorist has no qualms with a PUPPY that has broken skin. It is literally their job to assist with behavior problems, you don't hire a behaviorist for a well mannered dog. You do know there is a difference between a trainer (the one that would probably slap a muzzle on a dog, toss them in a crate, and recommend euthanasia for anything beyond general obedience training like you are doing) and a certified behaviorist right?
Thanks, but I'll keep taking my advice from trained professionals, not crazy women on the internet that think they have all the answers based on a brief written description of experiences over an extended period of time. Which no professional, or even person with basic knowledge would ever do because that is not enough to go on. I didn't post here asking the all knowing Debra to enlighten me with her vast experience that tops all others! I shared a brief description of personal experiences, experiences that may not be the norm, But that others certainly have had with these dogs so they are important to keep in mind.
Crying child abuse, and recommending a dog you've never met be killed is DRAMATIC and uncalled for.
Keep it up... And i might sick my viscous killer dog on you!
@gigi said in Hopeful Basenji Owner!:
@DebraDownSouth All I can say is WOW! Another cranky day? You seem to be a self-proclaimed expert on everything. I read back on old posts throughout this site – it looks like you have many of those cranky days...you might wanna get some meds from a conventional doctor for that.
There’s a thin line between being passionate about one’s belief’s and trying to intimidate or dominate (bully) others. You have a very disrespectful and antagonistic way of responding to people looking for help, which makes most people not pay much attention to what you have to say...which is mostly you're posting links anyway. Now, you'll tell your latest victim some lame excuse why you were rude and move on to your next prey. * Oh btw, this was said in fun!<<<<<<
Last first..you haven't learned much reading if you think I have ever pretended I was joking when I wrote a serious post. Hard to believe you read many of my posts and would even make such a comment. I am aware tone can be hard to read, so I noted my intent. When I am not joking , I'm pretty sure no one mistakes it for kidding.
Second, CrazySenji is a respected responsible Basenji person. I thought it abit fun to spar over silliness since she has rarely posted anything I seriously disagreed with that I can recall. I am pretty sure she's not going to feel like a victim over any comment on any board.
Third, your personally abusive post makes you just a wee bit of a hypocrite. It's okay..
I may be snarky, but I you may want to watch your own behaviors. Telling someone they needs meds is a low insult to those who do require medications. Sort of like using " retard" as an insult, it says more about the person saying it than the person being insulted.
As for quotes/links...I don't ask people to accept things because I believe them. I give links to research and experts etc. I very often back up what I say rather than..as you accused me of, pretend to be an expert. l am sorry you have issues with my providing links. Isn't it fortunate that no one has to read them?
For the rest, hopefully the form will restore the ignore button so you can never have to read my posts again. Because you nailed two things.
First, having worked with rescue almost 40 years, I actually am very informed about some things...responsible breeding, training, the suffering of the poorly bred dogs sold to anyone who has the money, often bred with health/genetic disorders. I also can spot the people who talk a caring game but will throw it to the wind for expedience. I can also watch nice people try to gently walk on eggshells and know when they get shut down, nice isn't going to work.
And you are right, I don't respect irresponsible breeders, and I don't respect people who know better and still take the fast route, or people who allow a dog to bite children. I don t respect irresponsible owners who don't take care of their dogs. That isn't likely to change. I don't, as you did, get into insults and low personal comments. But I see no reason to candy coat some thing.
So no I'm not having a cranky day. It's been quite productive day. More so, I suppose, if I had skipped the forum.
Debra
@nodles91 said in Hopeful Basenji Owner!:
But if he is given a command while he'd rather be doing something else, he chooses to ignore. <<<<<
Heads up. That isn't trained.
Yes i said "pee and poop everywhere!" while describing my personal experience ....You cannot be that dense. You're just looking for a fight. <<
Dodging it unsuccessfully. You said pee poo every where, then said kept next to you. No fight, just pointing out you own wordd.
.. You do know there is a difference between a trainer (the one that would probably slap a muzzle on a dog, toss them in a crate, and recommend euthanasia for anything beyond general obedience training like you are doing) and a certified behaviorist right? <<
Wow, you might want to get out more and actually observe trainers. Many do behaviorism, and do it regularly.
Behaviorist, trainer, veterinarian..any and all would advise you on safety precautions. And while I don't care enough to look up stats, given that behaviorists get some of the worst dogs, their recommendations to euthanize is probably high.
Thing is, I can document my actual experiences, back up what i say and give you experts to call. You aren't interested in that stuff...you came to post your experiences and are mad that the responses didn't get agreement.
@debradownsouth You weren't interested in offering any of that stuff. You gave unsolicited "advice" If you can call it that. Followed by saying my children are abused and my 1 1/2 year old dog should be killed.
You weren't being helpful. You set out to push buttons.
I certainly wasn't looking for anyone to agree with me by sharing my personal experience to someone that had questions. There's nothing to agree or disagree with, its a personal experience. Saying my children are abused and my dog should die is crossing a line that should not need to be pointed out to you. It's basic human compassion. My kids love their dog, and I'm doing everything in my power to make this dog the best he can be. You can make any judgements you want based on bits and pieces You learn in just a few short posts about someone, but they're likely going to be wrong. And here's a tip for the future, You don't need to share them out loud.
I love how you offer your "expertise" on training yet your solution was to throw him in a crate so he doesn't come near the table or kill him... Heads up, that's not trained
You claim to be in rescue, but so am i and not a single person i know in the rescue community would ever think death is the answer. That's why we rescue. Training, diligence, patience, and time are the answer. And when every resource has been exhausted you look for a home that's a better fit for the dog, or worst case you get them into a sanctuary for dogs with bite histories that cannot be adopted out. We're not there yet. And that's my decision, you don't get to have an opinion on it.
I have 10 year old boys. They hurt themselves much worse than this dog has ever hurt them. And they don't want to give him up. We've fostered so they've gotten to know a lot of other dogs in their lives, and they are more bonded to this dog than they've ever been with any other. Our other resident dogs don't even compare.
As Gigi stated, there is quite an obvious pattern of you trolling the forum with the intent of stirring the pot. If you think you are helpful, you are sorely mistaken. Though i highly doubt that is the case, i think you just enjoy the drama.
@nodles91 I am so so sorry. I didn't interpret your posts at all like what you've had to try and explain here, I don't think anyone did. What I got from your post was a person, who loves her dog, needing a place to vent. A place where she thought she would be safe to share and be understood because her dog was a handful. I am so so sorry you had to be more stressed out. I am not a member here for long and I've only posted a couple of other topics. I believe my dog is half Basenji and she is a real handful too, she's super high energy, nippy, and very head-strong. She's just 1 year old and seems to be getting better, but I've never had a dog like this and I've had many different breed dogs. I'm sure if you keep working with a behaviorist you'll get it figured out. Don't lose hope. I wanted to provide you a peaceful response before bedtime
@gigi Aww thanks, Gigi! I hope so too! Have a good night!
@gigi said in Hopeful Basenji Owner!:
@debradownsouth Well, it seemed that you like blunt honesty, so that's what you got. . . I’m not investing any more of my valuable time on this, I made my point – and I believe you got it.
No dear, I got a personal abuse tirade having nothing to do with dogs or basenjis, just you demonstrating that you are hypocritical and carry far more nastiness than I do. ...but with far less honesty about it. Blunt is fine, just don't delude yourself into thinking making a personal tirade is about being blunt, lol. It's about being nasty and trying to justify it as anything more. I am glad you're done with me. Time wasted having nothing to do with dogs.
You can keep posting, but as I said at your last rant, your words about bloodied and bruised children is all I need to post.
As for the rest. .. read slowly so you grasp it.
There is training and there is applying protection for your children. One doesn't exclude the other. You might want to ask your behaviorist if that really is confusing to you and you're not just ranting trying to take attention off you bloodied and bruised children. A child's safety takes priority over anything. Since you keep touting that you have a behaviorist and work training daily..albeit with little success, I make no apologies for only giving safety information. It absolutely seems to be utterly lacking.
As for saying to put down your dog, silly of you to leave out the part about if you really cannot stop the biting.
I really envy the bubble you live in thinking rescues don't deal with the reality of euthanasia. Many private rescues have the luxury of only taking on adoptable pets, or ones they have foster homes willing to keep forever if necessary. Many so called no kill shelters do the same. For most rescues, even if they don't personally put animals down, they reject dogs that they know will be euthanized. In my real world, people in rescue are experienced and responsible enough to know every dog cannot be saved.
Save your rants. I will never feel any regret for caring about the safety of dogs...or being appalled at your own repeated nonchalance about it.
Lol thought you were done?
Not worth responding to you spewing same stuff over and over. But so you don't look uninformed next time you accuse someone of slander..since his legal issues, her totally twisted lies about a respected researcher, etc are all provable in public domain...you may want to review the definition of slander.
Yawn.
It's become obvious you are beyond obsessed, going thread to thread with personal attacks. Your initial "nice" facade was just a very angry person waiting for justification to spend all her time raving instead of contributing. Glad to be of assistance as you prove that you believe you personal attacks are okay...but my concerns about basenjis and safety (you do remember this is a basenji board, right? Not a personal crusade to tell someone you hate their posts over and over ad nauseam?) are out of line.
But I'll be the adult. You can go on til you get it out of you system or tire of repetitive raving.
