okay thank you everyone

The bonding is going well… I taught (reminded) him how to sit, shake a paw and lie down. We're in obedience classes currently so he's catching on to "stay" and sits before I give him his meal. Walking is still not the greatest but better. He IS a snuggler! But the thing now is he clearly doesn't like being disturbed while sleeping or sleepy. He fell asleep on my lap and I went to scratch my leg and he growled and went to bite me, mouthed but not a full on bite, I still felt his teeth though. I was completely caught off guard so this seems to be the issue now. Clearly there is a dominance struggle going on right now as his growling is very much increasing, and it's almost been a month having him

We just adopted Maverick from his breeder 4 days ago and I know everything is still new and we're all getting to know eachother. He is crate trained and somewhat food aggresive we were told. Funny enough we haven't had much issue with food (even begging at the table- we think his past owners fed him from the dinner table) But I think he's figured out he isn't getting anything from us so he just sits on the couch. But we've tried crating him while going out a few times this weekend and he cries and cries, pawing at the door. We ignore him and leave although it's sad. We crate him at dinner time with his dinner which he doesn't eat but once he can't see us in the kitchen anymore he cries. SO! I'm assuming he is having some seperation anxiety just because it's a whole new world for him. But I don't want him to think of his crate as punishment.
We won't crate him in the future while we're at work, but for now at the beginning his breeder suggested we do so to help him understand who is in charge. We did leave him the the house for about 4mins while we carried something to the car, and he peed on the floor by the door. I know he didn't actually have to pee because I took him out right before that. So I definitily don't want him alone in the house right now or he will most likely destroy or make a mess on something else.

So basically, some advice on why he's doing this or am I right about it? I think I will pick up a Kong toy for him to hopefully be distracted by while we leave. I'm hoping once he gets used to the routine around here he will be okay with going in his crate, I just really don't like him thinking of it as punishment.. if he is even.

Thanks in advance! (p.s… I have talked to the breeder about this, but was curious about others ideas, too)

@agilebasenji:

You may want to take him to a positive training class. There are many, many fun things available in dogsports right now - agility, rally, nosework, tracking, flyball, free style, etc.

Where and how would I find these classes in Vancouver? We're starting his obedience classes Tuesday but I would love to join something like this he may enjoy more but no idea where to find them. I just googled it and not having much luck

I will try hand feeding tonight

Okay thank you everyone for the helpful responses. Today is literally the third day we have had him so I know it's early. My boyfriend is going out tonight and I'm going to stay in with Maverick and try some training with him myself, and I'll take him for a walk, too.
Can someone explain to me what exactly hand feeding is? He still has to have his dinner so is it literally him eating it from my hand?

I am the dog lover between my significant other and myself and have wanted one for 7years. I've been doing research on this breed for 2years and we finally adopted Maverick from a well known breeder out here. So the unfortunate thing is he's bonded quite quickly with my boyfriend and clearly prefers him over myself. It's very disheartening seeing as I'm the one that has done absolutely everything to make this happen. The breeder told me he bonded quickly with the husband of the last owners but because the wife didn't really care. It will apparently take more effort on my part being alpha..
Anyways, I really don't want to start resenting my bf and I know it's not his fault but it's still very sad for me. Any suggestions on how I can create a bond with him soon? Thanks in advance

This is a very interesting read because we are trying to figure this out also. Crate seems to be the best way to go, but something else that interests us is a ZipLine harness..

http://www.kurgostore.com/products/Kurgo-Auto-Zip%252dLine-%E2%80%94-Leash-Zip%252dline-Combo.html#reviews

There's a big chance it can still be chewed through I guess depending on your Basenji, but we can get it for a really good price and will probably try it out regardless :)

hahah oh my, some of these responses made me laugh. Thankfully we keep our garbage under the sink behind closed doors which I'll just have to wait and see if he can open it or not.
We're actually going to pick him up Easter weekend now, so we will try to organize the place as best as we can and spend that weekend tweaking and hiding the things he wants to play with or chew, haha

thanks everyone ! (and Yes, we're getting him from Simone ) :)

We are (finally) getting our Basenji in just under 2 months, he's 2years old crate and potty trained. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for "Basenji proofing" our place. I know kleenex and toilet paper is a concern so the bathroom doors will always be closed. Are there any other things we should be aware of? Thank you in advance!

yes Thank you! I contacted Simone last week and went there to meet a couple male basenjies… Hoping to pursue with one of them :) Thanks everyone

@nomrbddgs:

I have a lot of thoughts on this, but will keep them to myself except for one. What happened was NOT your fault and you cannot go back and change things. Your father was an angry, angry man who could not deal with his life changes and this in no way reflects on you. As to the vet procedure-he probably did not expect anything to happen the way it did and therefore was not prepared to be able to prepare you as to the process that was going on with Charlie. He may have been as surprised as you at the reaction (which was, more than likely, involuntary on Charlie's part) So, remember, you could not have changed what happened at that point in your life and you should not feel guilty about the choice you made. Obviously, at that time, you made the best decision you could.

Thank you :) For my next dog I will be on top of everything that goes on with him! I want to know it all and make sure the vet understands also

@i<3mybasenji:

Hey Laura. I had a beautiful rottie/lab/boxer cross a few years back when i was around 16 years old. He was my best friend and till this day i am completely angry at myself for what i did. When he was six months old i was trying to do something and he would not give me peace cause he wanted to play so i kicked him out of my room. I guess after that he managed to sneak out of the house and follow someone down to the farm next to my house. The idiot decided it was find to operate heavy machinery with a 6 month puppy around. He got caught in one of the machines and was killed. I still remember to this day my dad coming to my room covered in his blood to tell me the news. I fell to my knees screaming and crying and i cried for years and years. It is so hard to love something and have it ripped from you so easily. I thought the only way to get through the pain was to get another puppy which i did the next day i drove 3 hours and picked up the last puppy of a litter of berneese/rottie/lab puppies. She is about 4 now and the most amazing, loving, gentle, big lap dog i have ever seen. I always found though that there was a wall between me and her because i got her mourning over another dog and i found i could never love her enough because all i wanted was my other puppy back. I still have her but i do not believe i was ready for her when i got her. I finally feel ready now and that is why in less then two weeks i will have a 8 week old basenji puppy. I guess all i am saying is i know what it feels to blame yourself for not giving them what they deserved and i understand the hurt you are going through because that day was the worse day of my life. I am almost 20 now and it still hurts and i have pictures of him up all around my house and always will. Dogs do have a good memory yes but they also tend to live in the moment. Maybe his first few years were hard on him, but the last three years you gave him of peace and happiness probably made up for everything else. I had a three week old kitten i had to put down once because his legs were not developing right.. i still to this day wonder if the vet made the right call putting him to sleep and i was always so angry at him because he did not put him to sleep before he actually put him down therefore the kitten screamed in pain and it broke my heart…. just know we all understand what you are going through and are here for you and are glad you had the courage to share your story with us. It is hard to love an animal because they usually leave this world before we do, but we have to believe that they know how much we love them and leave this world knowing that.

Wow. Yes I have definite sympathy for your puppy and kitten, that's absolutely terrible. Although I'm sure the puppy was for sure living in the moment… but I guess the fact that the last moment you had with him was annoyance doesn't feel good. I guess everyone has some sort of heartbreak with pets but we have to try and remember the good times! I know after that experience my mom has been very unsure about getting another dog. Whereas, the same day we put him down I knew eventually I would have one of my own (almost 7years later I think it's time!) And it's not about how they pass on but the life they lived! Charlie had good times, too... unfortunately theres a lot of dogs out there that have way worse lives. I know I'm not mourning anymore for him and have moved on in a sense, I guess it's just forgiveness now. Anyways thank you for youre reply and have fun with your puppy! I saw some the other day, MAN theyre cute! puppies have puppy smell kinda like baby smell except more urine-y :)

@CongoMama:

I can not really address the parent dynamics. It must have been hell for your father to go from what I assume was a vibrant man to one who can not do the simplest things. While his anger is certainly justified, his behavior is not. Hard to judge not having walked in his shoes, such a shame he did not find a more healthy outlet to deal with it.

Re: Charlie's euthanasia. Euthanasia is basically an overdose of an barbituate/anesthetic. Usually one intravenous injection is sufficient. However if the animal is in good health (relatively speaking - sounds like Charlie was in good physical health, though not good mental health) they might need more than, say an animal who is two steps from deaths door, and just needs a gentle nudge to go through the door. If the vet miscalculates the dose needed to be sufficient, they would need to give another injection; due to a severe drop in blood pressure due to the first injection, intravenous (IV) might not be a viable option for a second attempt - that leaves the vet no other choice but to inject more euthanasia solution directly into the heart, to effectively stop it. This is what it sounds like occurred.

During euthanasia, an animal can vocalize without actually feeling pain, have agonal breathes (which means the animal is gone but the body expels what air it has and gives the impression of still breathing) or quietly and silently pass with no outward signs. It is hard to know what any one animal will do. I am sorry the vet did not feel it was important to communicate with you, and your mother, what to expect and/or what they were doing every step of the way. That person/clinic really dropped the ball and you have paid a price for it.

You, however are to be commended. Despite the very real pain it caused you and your mother to stay by his side, you did so to the very end. But before that, you also did what was in Charlie's best interest, even knowing the heartbreak it would cause you both. I have no doubts Charlie is waiting for you to finally forgive yourself, though I imagine if we asked, he would say you have done nothing to need forgiveness for, and open your heart once again to another dog, where you can once again enjoy the relationship of an animal friend.

Euthanasia is probably the best gift we will ever bestow on our animal friends, while the hardest gift for us to give. If our intent is to end their suffering, be it physical, mental or a combo of the two, I have no doubts each and every member of our animal families will await us at the Rainbow Bridge, to reunite us forever more.

That must of been what happened because I remember VERY clearly him putting the 2nd injection in his chest, and remember him mentioning something about him being a small dog but needing more than the average small dog. Something along those lines. So perhaps that's why it was in the chest..
And it was DEFINITELY a learned lesson that I want to know exactly what's going on with my new dog. Even when their time has come I want to know the exact process so there's no surprises. My mom and I were both angry that he didn't communicate what was going to happen, Ithink he was surprised that we were even staying WITH Charlie because I guess most people dont. That's sad I think.
I think in a way I have forgiven myself and these replies are really really helping. Counselling is in the near future and so is a new dog! Hopefully for summer :)

Again, thank you ALL for your support and kind words… it IS helpful and I really appreciate it :)

I was also thinking that maybe it would be a good idea for my mom and I to write a letter or something to Charlie and that life, and tie it to balloon. Maybe that would help lift this weight off our shoulders, something symbolic..

Thank you everyone,

I've actually been very good about re-directing my thoughts when I could feel those memories coming back. Just the past little while now that I'm seriously considering adopting/rescuing whichever my own dog these memories have been a LOT more frequent. I also dont know by redirecting the thoughts and NOT thinking of them, am I bottling them up?
I think the best thing would yes to get some more counselling. A lot of things are easier said than done. And my mom should also because I know it haunts her just as much.

As for my dad… when I say re-built relationship I guess I mean starting off new. We aren't able to discuss anything in the past and its probably best not to because he was in such a state he probably wouldnt even remember a lot. I know he doesn't remember much of anything in my teen years. And I KNOW he has his own idea of what went on. So I have to let go of those memories myself. And my mom, I've been wanting to tell her how I feel and how I wish she verbally stood up to her husband more.. but it would upset her. She is one of my best friends in the entire world and pretty much raised my brother and I alone. She' a wonderful person and I know she has regrets, I am happy she finally made the decision to kick my dad out and divorce. Both my parents seperately are happy and have learned a lot through these mistakes.

My boyfriend has never had a dog in his life, only cats. But he has known the past 6.5 years we've been together that I've wanted a dog of my own and yes he is supportive :)

My mom and I had to put down my old dog, Charlie in November 2005 and the experience of just that has traumatized us both to this very day. We're both in the same opinion he was somewhat un-lucky in his life which did not help with making this incredibly difficult and sad decision.

I will try to summarize his and our lives quickly so whoever is reading can maybe have a better understandings. I apologize now if it goes on for too long, but warning now if you want to bother reading or not! :)

We had an AWESOME dog my parents rescued at the SPCA (he was a "mutt" not sure what breeds but VERY intelligent, learned to walk on fences to chase cats- was only about 15pounds a small dog too) Unfortunately, Randy developed terrible arthritis and my dad made the decision to put him down without telling anyone. Randy was 17 and I believe he lived a good life with us. The whole family was angry at my father because we never had a chance to say our goodbyes. I was even more upset that he didn't stay with Randy until his last breath.

Anyways, my parents decided to get another dog and went to look at some puppies making the bad decision (my mom says) in taking my brother and I with them. I was 7 and my brother was 9. There was only one curly fluffball left and we took him (****apoo). I don't have TOO many memories at that age, it's more in my teenage years I recall things. My dad was unfortuntely diagnosed with MS and VERY gradually he was unable to drive standard anymore, had to get a new car-automatic, he was unable to cut the grass, unable to walk without a cane, climb or go down stairs, unable to walk without a walker… you get the jist. He was a very angry man, incredibly short tempered. This of course got worse as time went on. He took this out on the family, especially my mother and I, as well as Charlie. He would SCREAM at Charlie to simply stop looking at him. And then the next min he would be asking him if he wanted a bisquit. From about 12years old to when my parents seperated and he moved out (I was 17) I can easily say I hated him. (On a side note, we have re-built a new relationship and he has remarried) He would theaten constantly to have Charlie put down simply because he was annoying him or was a nuisance. My father was incredibly verbally abusive, and sometimes physically with the dog. I remember running into the backyard to see him kicking Charlie, I still don't know why but I'm sure he was having difficulty cutting the grass and took it out on the dog. Charlie would snap back in defence and my dad would try and kick him again but would fall because of his MS and it was a vicious cycle. I will never EVER forget this terrible moment, and when Charlie saw me he came running and actually hid behind my legs. He hid in the bikeshed for 3days after that, never came out.
I was the main supporter of Charlie and would always go talk, sing, or snuggle with him when he was literally "in the dog house". I told him I would be there no matter what, with his last breath of life.

Charlie had a lot of mental/health problems as well. He was the last puppy I guess for a reason. He NEVER liked being picked up or groomed, anything like that. Even as a puppy he would snap at us. He had chronic ear and skin problems his entire life. And it didn't help having a bi-polar member of the pack (my dad). When I was in highschool we moved to a rancher so my dad didn't have to go up and down stairs, the whole family catered to my dad's needs and Charlie as well. My dad claimed to be allergic to him and Charlie was living in the basement for awhile, not allowed to come up. (it was a rancher with a basement.. my brother and I had our bedrooms down tehre) It was CONSTANTLY walking on eggshells in that house, for years. You never knew if my dad would be whistling having a great day, or ready to tear you a new one.. for nothing. When he finally moved out, it was such a relief and we really noticed a difference in Charlie. I know he had a good last 3years of his life.

Unfortunately, he really started losing his marbles... he was 13 (I was 20) when my mom made the decision. We took him to a clinic and I remember waiting in the waiting room and a lady complimented how adorable he was which I thought was interesting because my mom and I were distressed in tears. I think he might of knew what was happening because he was sitting there so calmly looking up at me while I was petting him. Anyways, we went into the room and I honestly thought that the dog get's 1needle and he passes away peacefully. Nope. He gave him 1 needle to yes I guess technically go to sleep. So he was on the table standing with his head in my armpit slowly slumping, eventually lying down. Then the vet came back in to see if he was "relaxed" enough and we thought that was it. My mom and I backed away and were hugging eachother crying when I made the horrible decision to look over to see what was happening and saw him giving ANOTHER needle basically in his chest and Charlie yelped. That was it. Almost 7years later I've never cried as hard as I did that day.

I don't undertand if the vet didn't wait as long as he should have. But for a poor dog that has had a not so great life, his LAST moment is painful?? His last breath has to hurt him?? I did end up writing a letter to the clinic and they replied saying that it was probably an automatic response to yelp and that he didn't feel much. I sure hope so, but we'll never know. My mom and I stayed with his body for a bit after and say some more goodbyes, I still have his collar.

So that's the best I could summarize it. It was very hard for me to even type this as it's hard to see the screen through my tears. And the thought of it wakes me up at night still. I have a lot of guilt because I wish I could have done more for him. I wish I could of screamed at my dad or found a more fitting home for Charlie. I wish I could of stopped the vet from giving him that 2nd needle and wait longer until Charlie was more asleep. I'm still mad at both of my parents for even getting another dog. They had no right taking on that responsibility and not even doing any research prior.
As traumatizing as it was putting him down, I have no regrets being there with him as I promised. I have sought counselling about this also, which helped a little bit because I can look at the good times we had... and the motivation I got to be the absolute best owner for my future dog and giving them the best life possible. Charlie's life has given me the upmost dedication to provide the best for my dog. I've always been a huge animal lover, with dogs especially... so I don't know if I'm just extra sensitive but I'm having a hard time accepting this past and I don't know if I have moved on really..? It's been over 6 years. I wish I could just tell Charlie that I'm sorry, sorry he was born with chronic health issues and one psychotic owner.

I apologize for this LONG story but it feels good to have written it. I need help in this situation, any suggestions anyone has in moving on is appreciated. Thanks for taking the time to read this even... an hour later

So I guess the upside to finding a good breeder and a puppy is you have better guaranteed expectations of the puppy and doing your own training as they grow up. Whereas, with a rescue sometimes their history is unknown and they may have some issues, which hopefully can be sorted out. Retired show dog would probably be the best bet all around! But maybe that limits myself more to dogs available? I still consider a rescue :)

Also, I am looking for a companion… not a show dog, or expected to be a show dog :)

Brad and good ol' Cesar Millan! haha
These are really good tips, thanks everyone. I wonder if there's a owner training program!
One concern I do have is having a dog that doesn't trust me or like to be touched in somewhere specific. The last dog I had… well my family had him not me. I think I was 7 when we got him as a puppy. He ended up having quite a bit of health issues and my dad was diagnosed with MS so looking back, my parents had no right getting a dog which I still carry some anger about actually all these years later even though there was nothing I can do. ANYWAYS! Point being, it was difficult to pick him up to have a bath even, he didn't like that ever... would always growl or nip. Especially if you were a lil cautious. And my dad was very angry with his slowly deteoriating disease and took it out on the family including the dog. That did not help. He could of had a better life (I'll save that for another thread!) I don't want to go rhrough anything like that again, and I'm dedicated to give whichever dog I end up with the best life possible, won't settle for anything else.
I still have time to meet some Basenjis and continue my research about them and from owners to find out more about preparation. I really appreciate everyones feedback :)

I don't know how, I was just saying thats what I've heard before. Hence, why I'm looking for additional information from experienced owners. Thanks for the help!

Yes, I remember on "at the end of my leash" Brad was saying it's not necessary to wash your dogs too often because you don't want to strip them from their natural oils. I was reading someone's book, or blog online with all of their suggestions and that's what they were saying with once a month grooming etc etc, Everyone does it differently I guess to whatever suits them and their basenji.

But this is good! This is the info I want! I heard that grinder for their nails ends up making them worse in the long run?? Either way, personal experience FROM experienced basenji owners is better then whatever I may find on the internet. Thank You