R U Humbled? Yet??!

[Buddys Pal]

Ok, I do not breed Basenjis. I have not been involved with a B rescue group. I have only been an owner (loose term...as they tend to own you and your household...) twice. The first time was purely by accident and a blessing. This second time is teaching me all over again. I responded to 'free to a good home'. I wanted to fill a gap and do a good thing for another Basenji in need.(drove up to Tenn from Fla)

This forum has so many new owners, and we all start out that way....but just when we think we know what is going on, we are thwarted...I read on BRAT that the Basenji is like a monkey and our home is it's jungle. They have a mind of their own. 98% of the basenji's out there get re-homed because they are not like the domesticated dog we know in this century. How many of you out there get a Basenji to add to your family and the dogs you have already get to be clueless about the canine interaction after being in your home????
I am not a scientist either. I am speaking of experience, which may be little compared to most of you on this forum....I just want to rant about the people who say that they do research, and then are so surprised about the B's reaction to crates, lack of exercise, etc, etc.... I 'rescued' one just 3 months ago due to an owner's realization that he was not cut out for the bark less, shed-less, quiet dog they read about because he worked all day and had to keep the poor pup in a crate.... Uzie was quite the dog that seemed to fit in with my older 8 and 10 year olds at first. He is just now coming out of his shell and exhibiting the tearing up, seeking out of tissues, and tearing up of inappropriate items. But mostly he is 'good'. I am luckly to work out of my home and I am continuing my training with him, twice daily. God Bless those who get the Basenji who will not test wills with the human, not baroo in the crate, not pull on the leash, not test wills.................So respond as you will. I had a great B the first time around, an now, I have to really work at it, daily.

[sharronhurlbut]

Bless your heart for opening your home to this basenji in need. I have had basenji's for years, and they teach me something every day.
I am glad your here.

[eeeefarm]

Basenjis are certainly not for everyone, but if you like them they are positively addictive. Doing research doesn't really prepare you for them, as all are different. Having one successfully doesn't mean the next won't make you work at it......I agree. However, Basenjis are not the only dogs that can be difficult, and in part I blame our changing lifestyle. "Back in the day", dogs were seldom left home alone, unsupervised, for long periods of time. Now they are. Many dogs do not cope well with this reality. Lots of problems stem from too much "alone time", IMHO.

I also think we tend to forget the "puppy problems" once our dogs are older and more settled. What drove you to frustration a year or two ago is now a distant memory, as your little angel behaves so much better......except for the occasional lapse in judgement (usually on our part, sometimes on theirs)

I found this link sums up the "quirks" quite well. I am sure most of you have seen it, but I find it's fun to review.

http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/P...7/bquirks.html

[krunzer]

OMG that describes the basenji to a Tee!! My dogs do almost everything there. My husband was laughing so hard he had tears!

[tanza]

And that is the fun about Basenjis... they make us laugh... and make everyday an adventure in "what is going to happen next".... I would not trade it for all the world.... It keeps us young.. (and we are to the elder group of the humans)..... and totally makes our days

[krunzer]

I definately agree. There is not a day that goes by in which I am not laughing at my B's. They can make you so angry (just now Tucker grabbed a book off the table and was proceeding to chew on it) and yet they look at you and you don't realize how you could live without them.

[MacPack]

I think it is hard when you have had an 'easy' one, then get one that is a challenge at the far end of the spectrum! You thought you did know what you were getting into, but like kids in a family, they can be miles apart in personality! Uzie is a doll and will be 'worth it' but at least here you have a place to voice your frustrations! Many are calm and sweet during the 'honeymoon' period, then their true personality comes out once they really feel at home.

[Buddys Pal]

Hey eeeefarm! thanks for the sharing of the Quirks-funny! Just reading these reminded me of why I am hooked to the breed! I love to laugh at him, his bad is really pretty cute, mostly-even my husband really doesn't stay angry, how can one stay angry when the little guy looks up at you as he is doing the 'bad' thing (ripping the stuffing out of the dog bed....) I love being humbled every day!!!!! Yes, I love him and all the quirks! I am glad he feels at home now...PS: you all stay up pretty late!

[eeeefarm]

how can one stay angry when the little guy looks up at you as he is doing the 'bad' thing (ripping the stuffing out of the dog bed....)

I find when a Basenji is caught doing something particularly reprehensible he/she will try to distract you by being particularly charming, perhaps try to lure you into a game, and in some cases will offer you a yodel. I find it very hard to remain stern and not laugh, but any expression of pleasure on my part would obviously reinforce the undesired behaviour.

[Basenjimamma]

Like I always say ...those wrinkles in their faces were given by God so we won't kill them...I remind myself of that about 3 maybe 4 hundred times a day...

But they are so darn addictive..I know I could not live without one from here on out in my life..no way...now..if you really like their quirks....check out their bigger cousin, the Portuguese Podengos...wholly moly, with one of each in my home..our life is never boring or mundane. ...and I ♥ it.