Aghhh, puppy teeth! Terrible little needles! So many good suggestions here. I would add, that you can have pup drag a short, lightweight leash in the house when supervised, so when your guy begins to bite, you can stand up, grab the leash, and give a sharp (not crazy harsh) tug or snap and in a growly voice, say, NOOOOOOO and then move towards him to make HIM move out of your space with his needle-toothed excitement. His mom would have not moved out of his way, she would give him "what for" in the form of a growl, and would stop him in his tracks. If teething is an issue, definitely try frozen kongs, or the washcloth. I am a behavior trainer and mom to 5 B's over 25 years, and MANY fosters.. I have no problem with tug of war, but YOU must end the game. Personally, I would use the leash to make junior stop biting you FIRST..he must calm down for 15-20 seconds.. . and then plop that washcloth or other frozen toy into his mouth, and let him tug away, as a reward for calming down and acknowledging your correction. After all, he is doing the behavior due to puppy energy, so nothing wrong with letting him release it, as long as he does it correctly, i.e. with you in charge as the "pup parent." Good luck!

He’s lovely! The talking does suggest Husky as does the tail. Aloof could be Shiba Inu, Chow Chow, (along with a curled tail, I mean)
Doubtful there is any B. in there, but who knows! Wisdom Panel has a good DNA kit to try also.

@tanza

I was not speaking of Fanconi, only speaking of the fact that unfortunately, many purebred dogs are just not as healthy as a “backyard bred” dog. I do not condone what Sheila Maxwell did breeding dogs at such a late stage, and not really breeding potentially good quality dogs, however, as you see in my comment above, I’ve got a dog from her that is 15 1/2 years old and reasonably healthy and doing great. I just worry about the breeding g programs, there’s only so much you can do within the stock if you’re breeding for looks, (among other things) and that is what they have to do.

@fabmaster911

I just happened to back up on this post from 10 years ago, and my response in 2017.

It’s amazing, because although I understand people‘s concerns about Sheila Maxwell, I believe my Tootsie was born when her mother was about nine or 10, and no I don’t agree with that. My only point was that my other three Basenji‘s all died younger one at 3 (!) at 10 and one at 13, (a respectable age, but developed health issues at age 11)
Sheila Maxwell‘s Oklahoma backyard bred Basenji, Tootsie, is still alive and well at 15 1/2! She’s had kidney disease for two years (!) but other than that has had no health issues, so my only point is that some of these purebred dogs of all breeds, come with many more issues than a mixed breed, or a not so well bred purebred. Tootsie most likely will not see 16 years of age, but she has been an incredibly healthy (albeit not good looking ) dog. We’ve had the same luck with German Shepherd’s, the ones that came from extremely reputable breeders, still died younger and with more health issues than our rescued 2 1/2 year-old straight backed German Shepherd, and I do believe that unfortunately, most of the breeders have to breed for certain traits, which sometimes are severe detriments to the health of the dog.

Aghhh, puppy teeth! Terrible little needles! So many good suggestions here. I would add, that you can have pup drag a short, lightweight leash in the house when supervised, so when your guy begins to bite, you can stand up, grab the leash, and give a sharp (not crazy harsh) tug or snap and in a growly voice, say, NOOOOOOO and then move towards him to make HIM move out of your space with his needle-toothed excitement. His mom would have not moved out of his way, she would give him "what for" in the form of a growl, and would stop him in his tracks. If teething is an issue, definitely try frozen kongs, or the washcloth. I am a behavior trainer and mom to 5 B's over 25 years, and MANY fosters.. I have no problem with tug of war, but YOU must end the game. Personally, I would use the leash to make junior stop biting you FIRST..he must calm down for 15-20 seconds.. . and then plop that washcloth or other frozen toy into his mouth, and let him tug away, as a reward for calming down and acknowledging your correction. After all, he is doing the behavior due to puppy energy, so nothing wrong with letting him release it, as long as he does it correctly, i.e. with you in charge as the "pup parent." Good luck!

He’s lovely! The talking does suggest Husky as does the tail. Aloof could be Shiba Inu, Chow Chow, (along with a curled tail, I mean)
Doubtful there is any B. in there, but who knows! Wisdom Panel has a good DNA kit to try also.

@tanza
However, again - you get what you pay for. If someone is looking for a pet basenji, there isn't as much cause to do the testing beyond making surethe mom is ok to have pups. I DO AGREE that 12 is insane to breed a dog and have her deliver pups. This woman is obviously treating her dogs as farm animals, and that is not good. Still odd to me that my one dog (rescued from the first owner) is my longest lived B to date, and has NEVER had a health issue.

@dcmclcm4
I want to let everyone know that I also don't agree with "bad breeding" practices. And, I prefer rescue, which is how i have obtained all of my babies. Interestingly enough, however, my Tootsie, from Sheila Maxwell in Keota, OK, (I got her through B rescue, as I was a volunteer at the time) Is 12 this month, and has NEVER had one health issue in her whole life. She is not a "looker" for sure, but my well bred Basenjis died at age 3, of Cancer, and 10, of a brain tumor, and at 12, of Cancer. Tootsie is as strong and nutty (and with an extremely even, sassy but sweet ) personality. Her previous owners paid $400 for her and she was shipped out to Mass from OK. Strange!

I was interested to see this post. I have currently 2 B. gals, Tootsie and Peanut. Tootsie by day is a yodeling lunatic, but sleeps like a rock. Peanut, on the other hand is mostly silent, except for an occasional growl when needed, and has been that way for the 4 years we've had her. About 3 or 4 times in the past year, though, we will wake up to the most mournful, creepy howl I've ever heard.. Pea 'sleep howling' I guess you'd call it! It truly sounds a bit "other worldly" and it always makes me hope she isn't having a really bad doggie dream!

Hi all,

I found this site by mistake-was checking something out about a breeder in OK where one of my gals came from, ended up in rescue, and now is with me!

I've got a petsitting business and two lovely tri B. girls, Tootsie and Peanut, who keep me on my toes…..