Skip to content

We're Basenji-sitting!

Basenji Talk
  • Hello! I just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Ursula and I live in Tripoli, Libya (for work, originally I'm from the US and still call Houston, TX home). When we moved here 6 months ago, we brought all of our animals with us - 2 labrador retrievers, and three cats.

    The reason I joined this board is that we're dog-sitting a friend/colleague's Basenji, Louie, for a bit over three weeks (while she's traveling for business and the vacation). I think Louie is about 3 years old, his owner has only had him for a couple of months, and adopted him as an adult. He's an "only child" and I know she "spoils" him and loves him very much.

    He's painfully shy but seems very sweet. He's met our dogs and cats already and is fine with them - not playful, but all the body language is that he's very comfortable (ears up, head high, tail curled up on his back, bouncy trot). But his Mom warned us that he's very, very timid in new situations. His first night with us was last night, and he seemed fine. Better than we expected, actually.

    I am not familiar with the breed at all, so I know I'll have questions. Any pointers or advice you can offer right off the bat?

    Thanks in advance.

  • Get ready for sneaky activities :D

  • I suspect he should be feeling very comfortable in a few days and will start playing (if he's the playing type) with your other dogs. Unless he's not use to being around other dogs. I would just keep your eye on him to make sure he doesn't get into any trouble.

  • But watch for the minute that he becomes "comfortable"… ggg... that is when they push the envelope.....

Suggested Topics

  • Basenji in 'Trekkies' documentary movie

    Basenji Talk
    5
    0 Votes
    5 Posts
    5k Views
    agilebasenjiA
    Oh! It's a baby b! Ugh. Wish you'd told me that before I looked. I've got a bad case of puppy fever.
  • Basenji's and Cats?

    Basenji Talk
    9
    0 Votes
    9 Posts
    6k Views
    BuanaB
    We have two cats and two Basenji?s, but the basenji?s grew up with the oldest cat. They live togehter as a family, but the first meeting between Buana (oldest Basenji) and Spaik (oldest cat) was heavy Spaik was so mad at us he went under the bed and didn't show himselfe, when Buana got to close he hit Buana. Cats usually need time to get used to them, for you I think you need to watch them the first weeks constantly. From their behavior you can see how it's goint between them
  • Maybe he's not a Basenji…!

    Basenji Talk
    8
    0 Votes
    8 Posts
    4k Views
    P
    My Basenjis catch and kill wasps and have never got stung in doing so - their snap and release is too quick for them to get stung. However one did get stung on his foot when he trod on a dying bee. Often Basenjis get frightened of a particular thing when they sense their owner's fear. Are you afraid of wasps, Shelley?
  • 'It's a race-dog!'

    Basenji Talk
    10
    0 Votes
    10 Posts
    6k Views
    JannekeJ
    @Schouiffy: Hehe. I know… Well I don't live very close to Bern at all - but YES!! Thank you for owning the Italians last night. :) !! Orange is such a nice colour. =) Orange is a great colour ;)
  • Having the Flu with Basenji's

    Basenji Talk
    19
    0 Votes
    19 Posts
    7k Views
    ChaseandZahrasmomC
    I don't have the flu but I am home from work today because I am going to get a shot in my foot to kill a nerve. I am nervous beyond words and Chase and Zahra have been cuddled up with me all morning which really has helped to keep me calm. I wonder if the podiatrist would mind them coming into the office with me for the shot? :D
  • Basenji Traits Your Basenji Doesn't Have…

    Basenji Talk
    32
    0 Votes
    32 Posts
    29k Views
    M
    My Rue is pretty perfect. She is mixed with something (I don't know what) so she doesn't look like a real B… and she isn't interested in anything in our house (chewing wise), doesn't bolt out the door, and licks like CRAZY! She also doesn't really like to play with other dogs at the dog park, she just smells them, occasionally chases them, then comes back and lays down by me (EXERCISE DANG IT!). The only normal B behaviors that I see in her are the little noises that she makes (she makes a lot of them for different reasons) and her BAROOOOOOO (which is fitting because we named her Rue before we even knew she was a Basenji) and it seems like she is stubborn about sitting. It's like she is saying, "yeah I know you want me to sit, but first I'm gonna spin around in a circle. Then maybe I'll sit if I feel like it." Haha! She is a character!