CattleJack wants Basenji sibling

[Dillinger]

@zande I speak enough Basenji to get by if I were stuck in a Basenji park meetup group. I understand it perfectly so no issues there but speaking it presents some difficulties because of my vocal cords. It sounds a bit astringent to the native speaker. Somewhat Germanic.
Incidentally, in case you weren't aware, in dog language the word "schedule" is pronounced phonetically. However in the Basenji dialect, it's pronounced "shed-jool", perhaps a bit more familiar to you!? 😀

[Zande]

@dillinger that's good. I can understand more than I speak of some languages including Basenji. But having been married to an American for 40 years, I do know how to schedule a meeting !

[elbrant]

@zande said in CattleJack wants Basenji sibling:

You don't have even a smattering of Basenji ? It would be very helpful, you know.

:rolling_on_the_floor_laughing:

[senjisilly]

Since you live in Oakland you might want to join the local Basenji meet up group to experience in person a whole lot of Basenji behaviors and antics. It is a Facebook group, Basenji's Northern California - https://www.facebook.com/groups/43675281942/

[Dillinger]

@senjisilly thanks! Just submitted a request to join. I also noticed there will be a meet up at Point Isabel at the end of the month - gonna try to make that.

[Dillinger]

Does this look like a purebred Basenji?

https://www.petfinder.com/dog/benji-55030604/ca/oakland/bella-vita-rescue-ca2646/

[JENGOSMonkey]

@dillinger Can't see the tail, but the color, head shape and ears look correct. What I can see of the body shape also looks correct.

[Dillinger]

@jengosmonkey hey, thank you! I saw however, after I posted, that they have a lot of bad reviews so I think I'll be on the safe side and look elsewhere.

[senjisilly]

@dillinger
Benji is not a purebred. Here is a link to his Instagram photo. His ears are oversized and his tail is straight. https://www.instagram.com/p/Ca5-WZHrefZ/

BTW I spoke with the rescue that has him several months ago. The pulled him from their adoption list while a foster family worked on some of his behaviors. As I recall, this boy can leap over tall buildings with a single bound. Very high energy, but he is young.

[Dillinger]

@senjisilly ahh, thank you!

[senjisilly]

@dillinger said in CattleJack wants Basenji sibling:

Does this look like a purebred Basenji?

https://www.petfinder.com/dog/benji-55030604/ca/oakland/bella-vita-rescue-ca2646/

I found the original Basenji Forum discussion. Go down to my Forums "name" and you will find links I posted about Skye, AKA Benji.
https://basenjiforums.com/topic/16188/basenji-in-kern-county-california?_=1647899787379

[elbrant]

@senjisilly said in CattleJack wants Basenji sibling:

Benji is not a purebred.

@senjisilly ... the dog detective! :smiling_face_with_smiling_eyes:

[senjisilly]

@elbrant

@senjisilly ... the dog detective! :smiling_face_with_smiling_eyes:

Yep, that's me, like Basil of Baker street. All I need is to convince Valentino to be my trusty sidekick, Dr. David Q. Dawson. (My very favorite Disney animated film, Basil the Great Mouse Detective.)

[Dillinger]

Interesting - Benji actually reminds me of my Dill with his behavior issues. Hope he finds a good home. Dill is also mischievous - he chews on everything he can find and refuses to give it up, he won't sit still without biting and being a spaz. He's also scared of everything - whenever I move anything, like furniture or something large or heavy in his view or vicinity, he starts shaking and barking. He gets carsick and throws up on drives to dog parks and while there he's scared of all the dogs except maybe of tiny puppies, and when they get close, wanting to play, he tucks his tail, bears his teeth as a warning and if they don't comply he starts air snapping at them. So I've had to tone down the trips so as not to flood him with bad experiences. But, I love the kid so I'm going to keep working on it. I think a companion would be great for him, and I'm thinking a Basenji because I love the breed but maybe I'm in over my head, not sure. Still trying to convince the wife, she's not having it at this point because of the issues we're having with Dill but I'm going to persevere! 😀 What do you guys think, am I being a bit too ambitious with the second dog idea at this point?

[JENGOSMonkey]

@dillinger So Dill IS a Basenji? I'm getting that he is.

[Dillinger]

@jengosmonkey Nope, he's not.
Here's his embark profile:

embk.me/dillinger11

[JENGOSMonkey]

@dillinger So he's still a really cool looking dog! I like that you can hold him, his expressions and that he seems ok with kids. And I like that you are a Dogophile.

That he's not a Basenji is no reason for you to leave. PLEASE STAY! We can get you to a Basenji. Also appreciate your honesty about a few issues with him. All seem Basenjiesque. In my opinion... a Basenji... especially a puppy "might" exacerbate the problem. Don't give up yet! I haven't. More folks will jump in here soon...

The good news is you have some behavior issues which, if you can overcome, they'll give you invaluable insight into how to interact with a Basenji. My concern is that if you haven't gotten there yet... ya might be doubling down on a losing hand. Honestly... it's about you right now. Your commitment, training skills and consistency. Your ability to affect changes in behavior with training. If you can do this with Dill... I'd bet you can do it with a Basenji. He needs more work. I hesitate to give too much advice cause...there're more qualified trainers here than I. I know basics.

At the very least you'd need to meet with a breeder, with Dill, and see how things went with the pack or the dog they might be thinking of.

Work with Dill more. Ask more questions. Describe behavioral issues in more detail. Let's work on that first.

My wife didn't want a second dog/Basenji either. We ended up with two and then six puppies, with my Breeder's prior approval and guidance, for a short time! I had EIGHT FRIGGIN' Basenjis at my house! Ain't no one takin' that from me! I had eight Basenjis. :oncoming_fist: :squinting_face_with_tongue: :thumbs_up:

[Zande]

That head shot would have fooled anyone into thinking he was purebred. Until I read his weight ! 27 lbs is much too big for even an over-weight Basenji !

Hope he find a lovely home though !

[Dillinger]

@jengosmonkey thanks, I'm definitely not going to give him up. He is my first pet so I'm also learning as I go, but things are actually getting better, little by little, as he's already about 8 or 9 months old, and starting to adjust. Going to continue working with him and he'll be fine. Just a slightly rocky beginning for us.

[elbrant]

@dillinger said in CattleJack wants Basenji sibling:

Dill is also mischievous - he chews on everything he can find

Doodle did this when she first came home with us. She promptly removed the corners from every one of my "designer pillows", clearly the corners were an issue.... Then she would fall asleep, dreaming about her mom, she would start sucking on part of my quilt and chew a hole in it. While sleeping! The solution was a rather long walk, every day. She still gets her (2-5 mile) walk and I just live with redesigned pillows. ;)

@dillinger said in CattleJack wants Basenji sibling:

He's also scared of everything

This is going to be a transition. The more Dill experiences, the more comfortable he will be. When something startles him, let him know that it's not a big deal. If you are going to move a piece of furniture, consider warning him... A lot of people think it's silly to talk to dogs, however, they aren't taking into account that your voice can be calming and soothing in times of stress. So, telling your dog that "It's ok, that noise is just from a truck." and acting like it's no big deal will go a long way towards your dog feeling safe in their new environment.

Doodle went through a similar adjustment period. She is still suspicious of plastic bags blowing in the wind, but I can tell that she's trying to figure out how something that isn't alive is moving.... She's making an effort to understand!! She's the coolest dog I've ever shared my life with!! <3 her!