At last I've managed to get George's picture on here

@zorroskeeper Hi, I give my Basenji chopped carrot. Apart from the fact that he will eat anything, he' getting a bit tubby any carrots work really well with no affect on his weight

Wow Basenji owners with their finger on the pulse Brilliant. My Basenji was a rescue from Spain. We got him at 10 mths and he was house trained from the start. I read everything i could on the breed ( and still do to remind me) and these are the main points that stick in my mind.

1. Be two steps ahead of your Basenji at all times.
2. Their attitude is 'What's in it for me'.
3. When they run off, NEVER chase you'll just be joining in the game. They will come back when they are ready.
4. NEVER, NEVER shout at them, you'l just wind them up.
5. They are very loyal and want to be close whenever they can,
6. Don't let them off the lead.
   My George is all of these things and more. His hunting instinct is for food. He can sniff out a black sack, dropped food or something revolting but tasty at about 40 yards and when he does if he's off lead, he's gone. Now he knows the best spots where he usually finds food regardless of traffic, hedges, garden etc. If he doesn't find anything then I can get him back by shaking the box of carrots I always carry. He really keeps me on my toes. He's not too good on the lead unless he has his Halti harness, the he walks along side me nicely but if he's just with a lead on his collar he pulls very hard. He can slip his collar and harness if he chooses so I have to be aware in advance of anything he may want to chase after. When I want to let him run free I have to have a good look round and if he looks towards something he doesn't come off lead.
   When he was young he would chase with other dogs and play with my other dog but now he's 7 yrs and my other dog has gone to doggy heaven. George no longer plays but sniffs out food all the time and eats anything, it's a nightmare. At home he ignores my cats and sleeps all day cuddled up to me on the sofa. He sleeps next to me on the bed at night and sometimes I wake up with George next to me and my 2 cats also snuggled up. I'm now disabled and have limited energy but with all this I wouldn't have it any other way. He's a thief, an escape artist, food fanatic, loving, cuddly, talkative boy and I love him.

Hi, Be under now illusion Basenji's are the smartest in the room and if you can be at least 1/2 a step ahead of them you will be in with a small chance. Your previous experience with your Great Pyrenees will be a good start but rather than having a 50lb lumbering toddler, you with have an impish speed freak and you will have little chance of catching them. They also can jump onto the worktop from stand still so make sure you don't leave any food out. On the best side, she will be the cuddliest, loving snuggle and loyal little girl you could wish for.
Try chopped carrots for treats and train with praise and cuddles. Never chase after her if she runs off as he will think you are playing the game but walk the other way. You may get a lot of negative comments about this but it works for me. I've only highlighted some of the problems I've had with my George and it's taken me 6-7 years working this out and he still gets one over on me now and again. Hopefully your won't have half of these problems and I wish you all the happy days I've had with George.

Awwww what a wicked Mum. Your guilt levels must be through the roof. I bet you didn't tell her what you where up to before you left the car.
I always tell George that I won't be long, or I'll be back soon or even wait there I'll be back. I often forget something and leave George in the car and nip back indoors. His eyes never leave the spot where I disappeared.

Think of him as an adolescent child and believe me they are the worst. He's trying to push you to your limits and he seems to have succeeded. Their mindset at the best is "What's in it for me". My George is 7 now but I still have to be one or two steps ahead of him and he can still out wit me. You say he has severe separation issues.Do you talk to him and tell him that you have to go out for a while and you won't be long? I do, in fact I talk to him a lot. When you return make loads of fuss and give him a treat. They are a trying breed at best and I hope this bad behavior passes when he gets a bit older. Don't give up and Good luck

George does that too with all four legs in the air very cute

@_neekko_ You need to research and read and research and read again and again. Basenji's are so special you cannot compare them with any other breed. You need to be at least half a smart as they are and two steps ahead and understanding this will help you. My George is 7 now and He's been in the family since he was 10 months old. I was lucky to have another dog, labrador, lurcher who taught George manners and socialising and as Hector was a gentle dog this helped. but even now recall can be difficult as George is such a foody I have to bribe him to come back but if he's found food...no way. Picnics are a nightmare as he will see & smell one from the moment we get to the park & before he gets out of the car. With this in mind I have to scan the park first before I let him off the lead, if I let him off. Hector passed last September and George has become closer to me and life is easier but I still keep learning all I can. You may find your Basenji hard work to start with but believe me eventually you'll have the most wonderful, loving, amusing, crazy dog ever. Good luck

What a sweetheart.

Getting your vet to do a skin scrape is a good idea, however Basenji's have very sensitive skin and can easily get allergies. My vet gave George an anti-histamine when his feet swelled up and went went red, something he picked up in the grass. I don't give him flea treatment now, I comb him with a flea comb and quickly dip the comb, fur and all, in boiling water. I wipe the comb on kitchen towel and repeat until Ive covered all of him. George really enjoys this and helps keep his coat clean. I do the same for my cats. I do this every other day during the summer or if they are scratching a lot. Not so much in winter. If you use this method it is important to use a good flea spray in your home if you have wooden flooring or carpet as the fleas get between the boards and cracks. I'm busy doing this daily at the moment. Nightmare.

 She's lovely and very Basenji. Does she have a curly tail? You're right about the amount of time and attention you'll ave to pay her. Basenji's are playful, naughty, intelligent, willfull, funny, loony and want a lot of attention. You need to be one step ahead all the time but all the effort you put into her will be more rewarding that you can imagine. They are very loyal and can live with cats a they see the as their pack but be on your guard with cats outside. In some cases it can take a long time and you have to be patient but well worth it. I've had several dogs over the years and George is my first B and I'm smitten, I'll never have another breed especially a I've done so much research. Good Luck and happy times.

Awwww what a wicked Mum. Your guilt levels must be through the roof. I bet you didn't tell her what you where up to before you left the car.
I always tell George that I won't be long, or I'll be back soon or even wait there I'll be back. I often forget something and leave George in the car and nip back indoors. His eyes never leave the spot where I disappeared.

George does the same, 3 poops getting softer. He goes out 3 times a day (no garden) and may do little hard ones in the afternoon. He's fed half dry food, half high meat content food.

She may not baroo whatever that is but the are all different. George barks sometimes but isn't suppose to. i would think she is still stressed from her previous experience. Basenji's are social animals and need interaction from their owners and other dogs. It must have been very traumatic. Give her as much time as she needs and love and cuddles, if she will let you and I'm sure she will soon be howling, grumbling and squeaking her little heart out. Well done for rescuing her.

@_neekko_ You need to research and read and research and read again and again. Basenji's are so special you cannot compare them with any other breed. You need to be at least half a smart as they are and two steps ahead and understanding this will help you. My George is 7 now and He's been in the family since he was 10 months old. I was lucky to have another dog, labrador, lurcher who taught George manners and socialising and as Hector was a gentle dog this helped. but even now recall can be difficult as George is such a foody I have to bribe him to come back but if he's found food...no way. Picnics are a nightmare as he will see & smell one from the moment we get to the park & before he gets out of the car. With this in mind I have to scan the park first before I let him off the lead, if I let him off. Hector passed last September and George has become closer to me and life is easier but I still keep learning all I can. You may find your Basenji hard work to start with but believe me eventually you'll have the most wonderful, loving, amusing, crazy dog ever. Good luck

What a sweetheart.

At last I've managed to get George's picture on here

George does that too with all four legs in the air very cute

@debradownsouth I'v tried this but the image is too big. Ill have to try something else