@JazzysMom:

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 :)

@lvoss:

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...