Hello Basenji Owners,
I'm a bit behind most of you folks with the reading/research and preparedness of owning a Basenji. I've had Duke since he was about 10-12 weeks old. We got him March 11, 2006. My husband's friend found (2) pups in a bag in the middle of a new homes sales office parking lot. I imagine the ones abandoning the pups hoped they could be offered to new home buyers??? I took one of the cuties home, got it healthy and today he's got to be 6 months old. I found out this week . . . I have a full-blooded Basenji. For (4) months he was thought to be a mutt. I have never heard of the breed. Turns out Duke isn't a "crazy dog", he's a "Basenji!!"
Well we think he's cute, fun and we love him like "crazy". So here I am . . . seeking counsel and support for my dog-son Duke. The more I read about our Basenji, the more I realize I've got a job ahead of me. It's amazing how life suddenly turns us left when we want to go right. I have high hopes that we (I) do Duke right as a Basenji owner.
I'm looking forward to hearing from you all in this fourm - Thanks!!
Oh, my! did you ever find out where these dogs came from?
Who would do that to any dog???
Check out the Basenji Owners manual for help with these pups.
Wow, what wonderful folks you are to help.
Ditto what Sharron said! What a fortunate guy Duke was to have found your family. Kudos to you!
Thank you Sharon - I'll look up the Basenji Owners Manual. Never found out who was responsible for the cruel act of the pups abandonment. The other pup was given to another family - of which I advised my husband's friend to try and communicate the pups breed. I hope they are as patient with the puppy as we've been. I'm glad Duke's razor sharp teeth are gone. He still likes to mouth my hand and arm. He forgets we disapprove of it every day. But he's still a puppy . . . with a strong jaw! Basenji Owner's Manual is on the list.
Thanks for the kudos. My (8) yr old son is our motivation to get a puppy. They have each other for lots of fun play. They have a great bond. No regrets . . .
My friend Jean Skaggs says to stop mouthing behaviors, ANY time the dog touches human skin with his mouth, the human should scream and turn away.
That is what puppies do to each other when the play is too rough.
If you need more advice, I would be happy to share her e-mail address.
She is really quite wonderful and if your smart enough to listen to her not all folks are, laugh she can help you train your pup to be the dog you wish to own.
The above was typed with a smile.
Actually…screaming when a puppy mouths too hard is only good to a certain age. When they get older, they will start to challenge you for dominance and if you scream when he nips you...he will think he is dominant to you. Just remember that when he hits 5-6mo old.
We also "yelped" when Jazzy nipped too hard, and it worked great.
She's a year and a half old now, and It's not necessary anymore for us, but I know when she gets too rough with our old dog and the dog yelps, Jazzy still startles and backs off.
{Actually, she still bites me when we wrestle….. but is pretty careful not to bite hard}
She is really quite wonderful and if your smart enough to listen to her not all folks are, laugh she can help you train your pup to be the dog you wish to own.
The above was typed with a smile.
Since you are new to basenjis, take Sharron's offer to email Jean. She is great with dogs, and have turned a number of un-adoptable basenjis into wonderful pets.
See you in 2 weeks Sharron! 
Kathy
Thanks Kathy for the support re the good work Jean does.
See you soon.
Winners ring I assume.
Hugs
Yes, I'd like to email Jean Skaggs. If she doen't mind sharing her knowledge, please send me her address. Anything I can do to train Duke to be a gentle, polite Basenji. Thank you all who've responded to my query. I enjoy reading some of the other threads here in the forum as I've related some of the Basenji quirks to Dukes. They are an intersting and comical breed to watch. Duke's observations and reactions to some things . . . too funny. Not like any other dog I've ever had.
Jean Skaggs (Send me a private message for email address)
She is very much a dog person and will not suffer fools, after trying to deal with them for a bit of time.
Her heart, love and help is always for the best interest of the dogs.
So, if you find her a bit blunt and certain of her opinion, it is something you should heed.
She has had years of living with basenjis as well as attending specality classes on dog behaviors and dealing with the damaged dog.
So, she is a pro.
I love her. I would trust her with any advice she gives to you.
Also, if you have not gone to the book section of this list, do go and order the EBC Owners Manual.
ITs a great workbook, well written, and again with ton's of basenji knowledge behind it.
Do let us know what you need to help your basenji become the dog it can be.
The above was not written "re the fools part" to you, but to anyone who wished to deal with Jean.
She is very much a strong basenji person with the knowledge to back it up.
Thanks Sharron for this address. I did inquire about Duke's mouthing behavior to Ms. Skaggs. She was so nice and gave me her specific training advice. We just came back from a (2) week camping trip. It was a good time for us to focus on Duke's training. He's a smart boy! Jean's advice on mouthing is to stop whatever you're doing, look away - for (30) seconds or so. Resume attention/play and repeat this each time his behavior is unwanted. I think he's got it! I can tell Duke wants to put his teeth on me but doesn't. I can see his hesitation. When I gently touch his paws (desensitizing) he will gently try and guide my hand off with his teeth. It's cute. So it seems to also help him become aware not to hurt me. Teaching my son not to tease Duke is another battle. They're two peas in a pod - training wise. Duke reacts to my son's teasing with nipping. Just last night, my son felt a consequence of his teasing Duke in play. I hope he learns his lesson soon too.
I'm so glad this forum exists! Thank you!
Jean Skaggs
She is very much a dog person and will not suffer fools, after trying to deal with them for a bit of time.
Her heart, love and help is always for the best interest of the dogs.
So, if you find her a bit blunt and certain of her opinion, it is something you should heed.
She has had years of living with basenjis as well as attending specality classes on dog behaviors and dealing with the damaged dog.
So, she is a pro.
I love her. I would trust her with any advice she gives to you.
Also, if you have not gone to the book section of this list, do go and order the EBC Owners Manual.
ITs a great workbook, well written, and again with ton's of basenji knowledge behind it.
Do let us know what you need to help your basenji become the dog it can be.
The above was not written "re the fools part" to you, but to anyone who wished to deal with Jean.
She is very much a strong basenji person with the knowledge to back it up.
Jean is really wonderful!
I just love her.
Some folks find her a bit "abrupt" but her advice is just right on.
Glad this is helping.
So easy once you know the key…isn't it!
Take care and let me know how it goes.
Just to let you know I am happy we have changed our ID to "Duke" because when I first joined this Forum, Duke was a "crazy puppy dog" to me and I didn't understand him as a "Basenji". But now I do and think "Crazy" sounds too harsh. Some say, "life imitates art" so I don't want that word to perpetuate itself with Duke. Plus, "Duke" is much easier - 4 letters, no underscore.
Have a fantastic day!
Hi Jill,
You mentioned before that we probably live near each other. I just learned here where you acquired Duke! Wow! Was the other pup a black and white?
I was initially attracted to the red and white which Joey is, but have seen some beautiful b/w. I doubt we would ever get another dog but it's fun to think what it might be like to have 2 Bs. Perhaps some day we could meet in a park to walk the dogs. Joey is 11 months and not neutered yet. He is tolerant of all dogs and aloof. We met his sister, Tory, who was taken at 8 wks and she is nasty! She snarled,"barked", etc at her brother and he just looked at her like she was crazy! We all laughed! Tory's mom is a friend of mine and how I found Joey. Send me a private email if you are interested. I'm sure I could learn a lot from you.
Hi Jill,
You mentioned before that we probably live near each other. I just learned here where you aquired Duke! Wow! Was the other pup a black and white?
I was initially attracted to the red and white which Joey is, but have seen some beautiful b/w. I doubt we would ever get another dog but it's fun to think what is might be like to have 2 Bs. Perhaps some day we could meet in a park to walk the dogs. Joey is 11 months and not neutered yet. He is tolerant of all dogs and aloof. We met his sister, Tory, who was taken at 8 wks and she is nasty! She snarled,"barked", etc at her brother and he just looked at her like she was crazy! We all laughed! Tory's mom is a friend of mine and how I found Joey. Send me a private email if you are interested. I'm sure I could learn a lot from you.
