I think Basenjis are JUST LIKE two year children.
They act up when they are tired or feeling in need of attention,
if I don't want something played with I put it away,
and I would never leave one running free and unsupervised in my home!
Yup, can't be said more clearly 
Yes, I have flown Rio in a sherpa as an adult. She is 16.5 inches at the withers. Adults need to be comfortable laying down in the sherpa because they won't have room to stand. I have only used it for short flights, Sacramento to Los Angeles and back. When I was researching how to fly with her in the cabin, I got great advice from another basenji breeder who has flown her adult basenjis to Eukanuba in sherpa bags.
I want to point out that I tried to do this a few years ago with Bella. She was perfect in the Sherpa, but she was WAY over the twenty pound weight limit. And, yes, they had me put the bag on the scale (dog+bag 20# limit). They also pointed out that she couldn't stand up, and turn around, as is their requirement. So, it can be kind of hit and miss with an adult dog…always have a back up plan. She ended up riding under the plane in her crate that I was bringing along anyhow. But I was a nervous WRECK!! She was fine
Things might be a little easier to deal with now that you can check in online...if the only place that anyone will check out the dog is security, they won't care how big your dog is (within reason!)...but the airline folks have to follow the rules if they see a violation.
This was on Northwest.
I *think the growling etc during the rummaging behavior *might be play. It is hard to know without seeing it. But I have had pug clients that did that behavior lunging, growling at their people's feet, trying to get them to play… as startling as it sounds! Often a human being on the floor is a clear invitation in the dog's mind to crazy play time.
And the trying to eat faster after spilled food *could be a precurser to resource guarding...but maybe not. A lot of dogs innocently do this....
I like what you are doing by having him sit and get treats while DH is rummaging...perfect traiing plan. Work on exchanging objects with him for treats, if you are concerned that there may be some resource guarding.
A behaviorist would be a great idea...just make sure you get someone who respects independant thinking dogs...and uses mainly positive reinforcement training techniques. Good luck He sure is cute!
And, I just want to point out that people here are not judging this woman personally, none of us know her. But we are judging her actions…and there is nothing unfair about that. All of us will be judged by our actions fair or not.
A very good friend of ours who was the MOST responsible breeder ever was also in a car accident. She decided to stop breeding because she could no longer do it the way she felt it should be done. THAT is a responsible breeder, IMO.
I don't want to be a downer here…but I think you should think about this for a while. I get the feeling that a Basenji might not be the right dog for you...and I think you should definitely meet several individuals and talk to many responsible breeders before you decide. They are not 'normal' dogs...and they can be very frustrating and naughty. A Basenji isn't the kind of the dog that you get because their charcteristics fit the specifics that you or your spouse want/need. You have to really find that you love all quirks of the breed...or at least love the breed enough that you can get past the quirks... Good luck, and let us know how it goes...
That is weird….really no different than auctioning off a puppy for a fundraiser...
Toledo, OH - LOST RESCUE DOG - A small basenji tan & white around 5-6 months was brought from Jackson county on transport, got loose has rescue's name & phone number on coated tag. Was in parking lot of Comedy Club off Heathedowns by Putt Putt. Please call if you find his or SEE him, he is suppose to be outgoing but maybe scared too. You can call Shelly 614-578-1250 or Jody at 419-276-3569.
I think they understand the practicality of right and wrong as in 'I just did something that the leader doesn't like'…or 'I just did something that the leader does like'. I think they don't think about it much when we aren't there...but if we were able to give them a quiz and say 'are you allowed to take things out of the garbage?' they would be able to answer correctly. But I don't think they have any context for right and wrong outside of what they have been taught; and they cannot generalize, they cannot say 'well, it is not okay to chew up the stuffed toy over there...so it must not be okay to eat these underwear over here' And when in doubt, they always revert to 'dog law'...so, if it smells edible, and they aren't sure if they are allowed, they will proceed as a dog would.
And then there are some dogs that just don't care. Just like there are some people that just don't care. No amount of correction, rewarding, bribing, whatever will override 'dog law' for them.
You had me worried there for a minute!
Yes, one of ours DEFINITELY peed to send a message on more than one occasion. Ivy got in trouble for something (so long ago, I don't remember what) and she ran directly into our room jumped on the bed, and peed on my pillow….
It sounds to me like she isn't feeling good, so everything else is just pissing her off (no pun intended). She may have a UTI.
Oh, I just saw that you said you are pretty sure she *doesn't have a UTI. You might want to have her checked just be sure. One of ours will be crabby (and she normally never is) when she has a UTI.
That was interesting! Any idea when the research was done?
Personally, I have never seen a situation where positive reinforcement methods have put a human at risk. As with any other training method…if done incorrectly, one could fail to correct the problem they are trying to change...but there is no point in arguing the details of our methodologies.
I think one reason that we see more cases of people dealing with problem dogs, is that when I was kid, and probaby you too. If your dog bit a kid you did either one of three things: you told the kid "don't bother the dog anymore", or you took the vet or the shelter where it was euthanized, or you took it behind the barn and shot it. People didn't want to understand why their dog bit, and they didn't really care, and they didn't think they could change the dog. Now people view the dog as a family member that you don't give up on, and many set up unrealistic expectations for the dog. People with problem dogs have to become instant experts, and they have people tell them they don't have a good relationship with their dog, and that they screwed up with the dog as a puppy because they were too lenient,or too harsh. When all they really want is a technique to improve their dog's behavior.
I am rambling....
Nice piece