Each one is unique and comes with their own challenges and rewards. Though Nicky is a busy dog and has always been so, he is also truly devoted to me and is right there next to me when I am under the weather. Rally is in trouble much less only occassionally TPing the house but she is also much more demanding about getting attention, NOW! She hops in your lap and nudges the other dogs off or the lap top or the textbook or whatever you are doing other than giving her your undivided attention. Rio is a sweetheart, willing to have attention on your schedule as long as you are willing to allow her a space next to you but she hates to see the other dogs get in trouble and does her best to distract you when they are being naughty. Sophie is sort of between Rally and Nicky, more busy than her mom but not as busy an Nicky but also more demanding of attention. She is also an utter blast as an agility partner because she loves to work with you.
Otis has gotten better since we got him at 4 months..now he is almost 1 yrs old (in 20 days)..I expect it to not get better then this…a few stolen things off the counter, pens chewed up, kids toys stolen out of their rooms, pantry door opener..trash digger if he sees his way in and the like.....until he gets closer to two..if ever!!
But that is what you get when you get a B in your life...you never know..like a box of chocolate..and you better like the cherry cordials..because that might be the chocolate your B ends up being...eeekkk!!
If you really think it is bad..get a podengo... like a basenji but in grande size.....
…a few stolen things off the counter
A few incidents or a few things? We all know Otis and his adventures of counter surfing. 
Thank you guys for all the good advice, I guess it's all about patience and love 
I'll agree that they get calmer as they get older. Abbey will be 6 Christmas Day. She doesn't need the crate when I'm gone. She's never bothered the toilet paper. Never poked her nose in the fridge when the door's open. Doesn't snack on shoes anymore. But I can't come home and drop my purse and coat on the chair or leave a book on the coffee table when I go to the other room. Just found fresh toothmarks on the legs of new dining chairs. Major losses this year have been my cell phone, 3 remotes, 2 doormats (doormats have 10 minute lifespan in our house), one alarm clock, a package of frozen shrimp, a bed pillow, one electric toothbrush, a jade plant, and the edge of the bedroom carpet going into the bathroom. No they never grow up. Never say never with a basenji because they're just waiting for you to let your guard down to prove you wrong. I've got to go now it's too quiet in the other room…..
Basenjis are known for their love of chewing things – toys, shoes, rungs of chairs, ink pens, CD cases -- If you have one that really loves to chew, you're most likely facing the next 12 - 17 yrs of keeping your things picked up!
PIA, perhaps, but a GREAT motivation for maintaining a tidy home! LOLJust curious if you had researched the breed before you got one? Most sites/owners/breeders would have mentioned that most Basenjis take more dedication in training than many, many breeds. Patience, perseverance, patience, dedication, humor, patience......
My brother got the dog but he had to move to Vermont and can not take the dog with him right now, so my mother and I are taking care of Rocky. It's been a challenge but worth it, we love him!
I think it's depend on dog's personality. Our Geasy will be 9 in January and he devastated our flat (especially he scratched on the wall) until he was 2 yrs old. Since that time he is absolutely calm. Some dogs grow up from this behavior and some not…
few incidents or a few things? We all know Otis and his adventures of counter surfing.
I use the word few very loosely..it has been abundant..let's put it like that..
Although you're dog-sitting for your brother (temporary or permanent?) you still might want to do an obedience class and do follow up practice at home; that will help train the dog and give you some direction while taking care of him. Or check to see if there are any racing or coursing groups near where you live, or agility or rally classes. Something to give the dog physical and mental exercise. Get some interactive type toys (the kind you can hide kibble in) to keep him busy when you can't be with him. Besenjis are very inquisitive and like a lot of stimulation and if they aren't satisfied they start to chew on stuff.
Now no one get upset for this "Do men ever grow up?" If you can answer this with age you now know when your baby will grow up. LOL. Have fun and good luck
Rita Jean
@Rita:
Now no one get upset for this "Do men ever grow up?" If you can answer this with age you now know when your baby will grow up. LOL. Have fun and good luck
Rita Jean
"Boy" Basenjis never grow up… period...:D
Topper is 14, he will grab things off my desk or pull things out of the pantry when he wants attention or a biscuit. Nicky is 12 and no leather item or toilet tissue is safe around her. Ed at 10 never bothers anything that isn't his.
Long walks, a dog park if you have one, remember: a tired dog is a good dog.
And training, working together, will help too.
Our first basenji was "One year old male basenji, free to good home" and he was a challenge. I saw many similar ads over the years, all "1 year old" basenjis. Hang on another year and you have a great dog.
Hmmmm . . . Interesting question.
Here's a quote that I think on often. It's a good news/bad news thing, but I think it's mostly true.
You have the dog you trained.
Originally Posted by tanza
"Boy" Basenjis never grow up… period...Say it ain't so!!!!!!!
eekk..That figures..
Getting into the trash is what Nicky did today. Yesterday he pulled papers off my desk and ripped them to shreds. He has also "tested" all the new bully pads for Rio's whelping pen for chew resistance as I was unpacking them. He does chew less than he did as a youngster but he still gets into plenty of trouble. For him household stress is a trigger for bad behavior so the rash shredded paper, counter surfing, etc is all in anticipation of the new puppy's arrival.
Yesterday, eleven year old Querk got into my training bag, and ate half a bag of training treats, and shredded half a dozen tissues. Although Querk didn't do these things out of stress..he did them out of opportunity 
The only thing that I have noticed declines dramatically with age is play nipping. Everything else continues at the same rate, unless you take active steps to either keep the dog from doing the behavior, or train a different behavior.
Hmmmm . . . Interesting question.
Here's a quote that I think on often. It's a good news/bad news thing, but I think it's mostly true.
You have the dog you trained.
Well…yes....BUT...don't you think there is also a large component (especially for B owners) of how you set the dog up? A lot of Bs just can't be trusted unsupervised, and that isn't something you can train...you just manage them by keeping them safe when you aren't there. And you get a covered garbage can, and you put your purse up, etc...
But, yes, for the most part, I totally agree with that sentiment...sadly Sometimes you get lucky, and you do everything wrong, and the dog still turns out okay
AJ's favorite target is my CB microphone cord when he's left loose in the truck while it's in a shop of some kind…or when I go to someone's house. I have replaced the microphone four times. Now he goes in his crate when I have work done on the truck and he has to stay in it. He's good at truck stops, pickups, deliveries and terminals. I think the idea of his truck going inside a "cave" freaks him out. And when I'm inside a house he feels like he's missing out on something.
As for "growing out of it" I can't speak to that. At a year old, it's not teething chewing any more. I would suggest get him lots of chewy toys and (if you can trust him with them) bones. Try to divert his attention when he's going after something he shouldn't, as Mr. Nobarkus suggested. Repitition and patience are the key with Basenji. If he absolutely cannot be trusted while you aren't home, put him in a crate. Contrary to some belief, it is not cruel to crate a dog to keep it safe and out of trouble.
I totally agree with AJsHuman..
It is not cruel to confine your dog to a crate while not at home, it is safe and secure, for him and for teh potential hazards around teh house.
I do believe if you feel guilty about crating the dog, he will sense that and make it even harder to crate..whining and crying etc.
Otis does not like his crate..he cries and bites the bars in an attempt to get out..but I am very matter a fact about it and in he goes..as a matter of fact..the only times Otis makes any sounds like howling or yodeling is if he is in his crate..and I love hearing it..
