I've been doing rescue and breeding (not Basenjis, and not for 20 yrs now)... and I have to say that among responsible trainers, rescues, breeders and professional veterinary behaviorists, you won't find any who will say under 8 weeks is okay for any breed... and for many, 10 to 12 weeks is recommended. It is in fact illegal to take puppies under 8 weeks from some states and it should be in all of them. Call a few dozen rescues and ask them how many animals they deal with that have issues started from being placed too young. It is good you are working on things, just hopefully the physical responses won't continue. No breed needs to be swatted or even mildly hurt for training. Basenjis even less so than many. It hurts your relationship with the puppy, and you are punishing a baby for being a baby... there is no "rebellious thing"... just normal behavior you have to patiently train away from.
BCONC Lure coursing, JC tests, Puppy Match
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May 31, 2008 is the Basenji Club of Northern California's annual Puppy Match, along with a Basenji only Lure Trial, All Breed JC tests, General Club Membership meeting at Robertson Park in Livermore, California.
June 1, 2008 is the Basenji Club of Northern California's All Breed AKC JC Test and Lure Trial at the same location.
Come and join us, especailly on Saturday for a fun Basenji day… fun practices will be held...
Information can be found at http://www.norcalbasenjis.org/EVENTS.html