Thanks Susan,

I'll try that as well. Nige already chewed through a bit of his. When we walk passed this darned male Shepard mix that is always left outside, unattended, off leash, in the yard that backs up to open space trail, Nigel spins around and catches his leash or his easy walk in his mouth. It takes a second for me to calm him down and have him sit and shake for a treat or to just keep walking while I stare the dog down and tell him to go home.Hopefully that makes a better fit.

Take care,

Greg

Hey Shaye's Mom,

I have a sm/m easy walk for Nigel and it works wonders. With his martingale he pulls like the dogs of hell are at his heals. I have yet to get the thing sized properly, but it is still better than anything else I've tried. I've noticed little lumps that I assume are from chaffing in his front "arm" pits. There is a large one on the left (I usually walk him on my right side so this makes sense…) and a very small one on his right. I get the thing to where it looks to be appropriately sized, but when we walk, he is CONSTANTLY sniffing and dips his head down. This makes lots of slack on the chest strap and brings the belly strap and top strap really far forward. I think that is what is causing the the chaffing. Any advice? Thanks a lot.

Greg

Uhh…CUTE. Enjoy the new pup. Seems like a sweetheart.

Greg

Sounds good! I'll check w/the vet, it soundslike putting super glue in cracks on feet and hands. I'll also look into something to keep him warm. I used to guide down in s Utah. I love that area. Everything east of Capital Reef onto the eastern slopes of Boulder Mt. Kicked around in the San Rafael Swell and down s Cedar Mesa during my off time. Beautiful area. Thanks agan.

Greg

We did a 4mile walk when I got back from work at 7am, then a nap on the couch, then a 6.5mile bike ride followed by, you guessed it, a nap on the couch, then a hike for just over 4miles. We both had some food then slept for a few hours before I went to work at 10:30pm. Nigel went happily into his crate. I assume he snoozed the night away.
We took it easy today. Just a 3 or 4 mile walk along the St Vrain river. Snow is on the ground, we'll see how Nigel likes that when he gets up! Thanks again all. I will oblige and slow the pace for the little fella. He seems to love the activity and certainly doesn't lag behind.

Take care,

Greg

Finally got it! Thanks AJ's human! The quality is probably pretty poor. It's from my cell phone and I think they had to be pretty small to get below 97.7kb. I'll upload some more later. Thanks everyone.

On a side note, I don't think Nigel is used to the amount of exercise he is now getting. I've noticed his little paws are getting raw. Two pads had little spots of blood after about 15miles of hiking/walking. Any tips/treatments or should we just take it real easy and walk on soft surfaces? Thanks a lot.

Greg

Hi all. Sorry for my ineptitude. I have some photos that I took of Nigel, but they are way to large. I have ifran viewer on my computer, but can't seem to make the file size shrink from 900ish kb to 90 or less. Tips? Thanks. Nigel is great!!!

Greg

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=52706&id=536055811#/profile.php?ref=profile&id=715723861

Not sure if this will work, but I've posted three videos of Nigel on the site above. He is a fantastic lil' guy. I can ride my bike with him. He did great his first night by himself. No accidents, he marked the couch when he first got here, but nothing since. He goes for three walks and a bike ride/run per day. We usually nap two or three times.
His stools are loosening a bit. I feed him about 1 3/4 cups of California Natural Lamb and Rice per day and he gets Wellness venison treats when he's a good boy (which is very often…) Maybe this will work itself out. He's still in "tranistion" mode, although he seems pretty darned happy.
He tried to jump in the shower with me twice today. So much for not liking water and he brings back every toy that gets thrown and drops it in front of me. He's definitly a lil' velcro dog right now.
Two of his toes are a little raw from the pavement I assume. They don't seem to bother him, but they are less calloused and more pink/red than the others. Any tips or fixes? Thanks all. I could not be happier. Nigel is a perfect addition. Colorado Basenji Rescue (Peggy Schifflet) has been a wonderful help/matchmaker.

Take care,

Nigel N' Greg

Sorry, no pics, just video. I'll take some of the little bugger when he gets here on Monday. Brace yourself until then. He's quite handsome if I do say so.

Zdrastvuytli!

Ochin kraceevlie sobaki! Sorry! No Russian or Cyrillic translator for me. That's the best I can do with an English keyboard! Welcome!

Greg

I've been trying to post a video I took of Nigel last Thursday. Having some trouble with that. Any recommendations? I got the mechanical inclination while my brother got the computer savy genes. My father, strangely has both and Mom does whatever she decides she wants to. It's a Flip video and I have no trouble emailing it. Just can't seem to figure out how to post here. Thanks a lot. I've never "wished away" a weekend before, but I'm terribly excited for Monday when Nigel gets dropped off!

Greg

I work nights, so Nigel will be fending for himself (in his crate, at least until he gets acclimated…) from 11pm until 7am. I'm gonna run home on "lunch" at 3am to let him out to do his business.
I'm an avid mountain biker and hiker so exercise will not be in short supply. My tactic is definitly to tire the lil' devil out. Hopefully he can sleep throught the night that way. I hope to be able to give him at least partial roam of the house when I'm gone, but not not at first. I live in a 3br 2ba place by myself. There are rooms that are just tile or just hardwoods, so that ought be good for him.
My side yard is fenced, but he will never be out there off leash, it's only a 4 ft chainlink. I'm very wary of him running out doors and climbing/jumping over things. Like I said, I've been reading for that last five years in preparation for adopting either a basenji or a shiba inu.
I contemplated a raw diet. He's on that CA Natural right now so I figured I'd keep it up for a bit before I switch him. There's enough changes for the poor guy right now. He is very handsome.
Glad to here about the BCOA in Greeley. Nice that it's in the backyard. Saturday I have plans, but Sunday is a slight possiblility to make it to C Springs. I have to be back at work at 11pm, but that's plenty of time.
Happy to meet you all. Maybe I can post the video I have of Nigel. I'm not terribly computer/format savy.

Take care,

Greg

I probably did too much research, as I'm still a little scared to take on the responsibility! There is a lot of info out there on why not to get a basenji. The three that I have met over the years were enough to convince me otherwise.
I am 90% sure he got a dna test and that he is clear/negative, not sure on nomenclature here. I will certainly confirm on Monday. I'm gonna take some private training classes in about a week from a "localish" breeder type lady, just to get used to one another. He's neutered and microchipped. I got him some California Natural Lamb and Rice food to transition to. I guess he has a sensitive stomache. I'm not sure what kind of treats to get him. What do you use? I know he likes peanut butter.
I'm REALLY excited. He will be my first basenji/dog/animal that I have been responsible for. I've dog sat some shibas, and other rescue type dogs, but this is my first foray into "ownership." Can't wait.

Greg

Hello,

Thanks everyone for sharing some very helpful info. I've been trolling around fortips and tricks for a few months during the adoption process. I've been contemplating a basenji for about 5 years. Finally settled enough to make it fair to the pooch (I hope…)
I've been working with Peggy at Colorado Basenji Rescue (I think they're a BRAT affiliate...) to find Nigel. He is a pretty amazing guy. I'm adopting him on Monday after my home visit, two seperate visits to him, and another play date at my house. He's 5, red and white, and his tail curls over three times and looks like a cinnamon bun. No pics as of yet, but I do have a Flip video of the little devil. I live in Longmont, CO. It's in the front range between Boulder and Fort Collins. I'd love to meet other owners/owned in the area.

Take it easy,

Greg