Janneke..I hope Tillo has worked out his table problem. A couple words of advice, because I have been thereโฆ.oh, boy, have I been there! Querk pretty much put an end to his show career because he rumbles on the table...every time....he never snaps, but it was just too stressful to me to know that he was going to 'complain' every time I put him on the table.
Anyhow...try not to get nervous about it, because the minute you do, he is going to feel really worried and feel the need to growl. This is so easy to say, and so hard to do! As a pp said, practice, practice, practice somewhere that you feel totally at ease...and then use that practice to help you stay relaxed at a real show.
I found that as I realized my dog was quite nice, and had a chance to win, I would get more nervous, and that would make his behavior worse....if I thought I didn't have a chance to win, I wasn't nervous, and he behaved beautifully....ironic!
I like the idea of spraying DAP on yourself...I also used yoga breathing techniques to stay calm, and sometimes used the rescue rememdy on myself!
Also, remember fall/winter is the hardest time to show basenjis because of the testosterone poisoning Also, was this his first indoor show? That can be alarming to pups as well; you know, sounds different, smells different, everyone is jammed together.
He is lovely dog...I sure hope he can get past this and you two can have a successful show campaign.