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Help with newly adopted basenji!

Behavioral Issues
  • Patty MP

    Hi everyone,

    When the Animal Control took the dog, they said that he would be quarantined for 10 days before any decision was made. My sister just found out that they euthanized him the next morning. She is extremely upset, as she was working with local basenji rescue
    people to find options for this poor dog.

    I really appreciate the support from the basenji family. The outcome was certainly not what we expected. :(

    "I learned long ago, never to wrestle with a pig. You get dirty, and besides, the pig likes it."

    ~George Bernard Shaw

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  • lukrisL

    What a sad story for all concerned.

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  • N

    I am so sorry to hear this.
    I talked to your sister, and she sounded really motivated to help this little guy. She must be devastated. Give her my condolences.

    -Nicole

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  • P

    My sincere condolences to your sister - what a sad outcome!

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  • agilebasenjiA

    I was afraid this might happen. Perhaps if it is any consolation for your sister, we can be grateful this dog was not placed in a home with young kids. And I think it was better to euthanize him sooner rather than waiting 10 days then euthanizing him. Your sister made an honest effort to help and do the right thing. This is so not her fault, please let her know nobody blames her.

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  • C

    Hi Everyone :) I'm the sister referred to in the posts. My name is Cathy and I'm new to the Basenji world. I rescued a 4 yr old Male at the end of May and he is the most wonderful addition to my family. He came to me with no history but is so very loving and gentle. As you know my 2nd attempt to rescue didn't go so well.

    My hand is healing just fine, but my heart aches. This poor little dog did nothing wrong. It was all human error that caused his death and I'm so sad. Sad that my uneducated behavior had a part in his being destroyed. Mad that the organization didn't give me a better explanation of what behaviors he had been exhibiting.

    If I could only go back and make changes…..but its too late for him :(

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  • agilebasenjiA

    Welcome Cathy! I'm Kim (with 3 basenjis, a hubby and a malinois) and so glad you made it to our forum, but sorry about the circumstances. I'm glad your #2 has not soured you on the breed. They are quirky little creatures. I know your heart (and hand) hurts and I hope you can find peace soon.

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  • QuercusQ

    Welcome Cathy! I am so sorry you had to go through this. Please know that this was no fault of yours…sadly this dog was probably quite dangerous because of his lack of bite inhibition. Hugs to you...and again, welcome...

    Andrea Walters

    Quercus Basenjis

    NW Ohio

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  • curlytailsC

    I'm so sorry this story had to end like this.
    But thank you for checking in with us. I hope you will be able to have more, less tragic Basenji adventures with us for some time to come.

    M.C. w/ Bowdu (shiba inu) and Bowpi (basenji)

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  • MacPackM

    Cathy, you just had a most horrible all-around 'rescue' experiences. I am so glad your hand is healing, but please don't blame yourself at all. Who thinks of all these things when you are adopting a cute dog from the shelter? I have had many basenjis who were "touchy" about their tails, but never such a reaction. I'm sure there are lots of things you would do differently if you could hit the 'undo' button, but nothing that you did was 'wrong' in any way. Try and look ahead and use your sad experience to educate (as you have done to us). As someone said, thank goodness it wasn't your face, or some small child…kids can't keep their hands off a basenji's tail. Like any accident,it all happened so fast (literally, at 60 mph) but it is past and try and put it behind you. Things work out for a reason, even if it makes no sense at the time.
    Hugs.

    Anne in Tampa

    Chipley, Missy & Lucky

    Topper, Nicky & Eddie in the clouds

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  • P

    As always Macpack comes up with the right words. I totally agree with her - you did your very best Cathy, and that's what we all try to do.

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  • Patty MP

    Thanks, everyone, for welcoming my sister, Cathy. Anne, we've met once here in Tampa, but you feel like a kindred spirit, for your words of wisdom and love truly hit home. Thank you!

    "I learned long ago, never to wrestle with a pig. You get dirty, and besides, the pig likes it."

    ~George Bernard Shaw

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  • BasenjiByTheBayB

    What a sad outcome for that pup, but good to hear that you'll continue to love basenjis and basenji rescue. It's so hard to stop at one. :p Bet you'll be adding to your B family at some point, all the wiser.

    Catt…with no ordinary dogs!

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  • R

    New to the basenji world, need HELP!

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    C
    @DebraDownSouth: Andrea, great post. I have taught many dogs bite inhibition at a much older age, though… only thing you wrote I don't heartily agree with. Yes, I understand that it is possible but I'd like to know more about it. Generally it's accepted that teaching remedial ABI is difficult to do at best, at least amongst the trainers I know, talk to and read. Dunbar says he's done it but I tried to pin him down at a seminar and he was evasive. I was hoping to get specifics, training program and how to test it or pointed at one. He said to buy his DVDs. I did. Best I could find was teaching a better ritualized bite and jaw prudence and done my best to scour books and websites as well (and speaking with colleagues, natch). What I found didn't really satisfy me. I mean, when I think of teaching ABI, I am thinking of teaching it so that it holds up even under duress since that's when it's most important. For instance a colleague was recently contacted about a Level 5 biter. If it's possible to teach reliable ABI in adult dogs THAT dog should be a candidate for sure. I'd love to assist someone teaching it to a dog like that, or in training a dog that has poor ABI with other dogs. How could you train and test that safely or humanely? What is the liability there? Pretty serious, I would think. I do remember my first basenji experience though. I have trained and worked with dogs my entire adult life. So imagine my surprise when squeaking caused her to bite MORE, lol. Change of tactics. Life offers us so many opportunities to learn new things. :) Ah yes, I've had one of those. I changed to a calm "too bad" and then removing myself. Worked MUCH better. Depends on the dog. EDIT: I just looked at the site you linked and what she is talking about is what I refer to as 'jaw prudence'. When I use ABI, I'm referring to how hard the dog bites when it bites, not if it puts its mouth on you. For instance, your Rottie I would say had great ABI but iffy jaw prudence. OTOH, there are dogs with great jaw prudence but the one time they use their mouths they do it will full jaw force. I'd much prefer the former.
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