I once bought a really expensive dog bed, brought it home and my boy pulled all the stuffing out of it and climbed inside the hole. I was laughing so hard. I've got a picture somewhere, just not digitized. He had great fun throwing and catching all the stuffing.

I apologize in advance for how long this is, but it is a true story.

I had a a BRAT rescued boy who lied deliberately. He was a nervous, extremely picky eater and to get him to eat dinner (usually a high quality dry with half a can of moist mixed in) we would bribe him with ice cream.

Every day went like this: We'd put down his food, and he'd refuse it. We'd point at it and say 'Dinner!' and he'd shake his entire front half 'No!' - We'd say 'First dinner, Then TREAT' - you know how they understand phrases, this boy really got 'first X then Y' - so he'd reluctantly turn and enter the kitchen.

From the next room, we'd hear kibble moving around in the bowl and he'd come bouncing back in. We'd say 'Show me' and he'd turn around and run into the kitchen with us following him. The bowl would be mostly empty and we'd tell him how wonderful he was and reward him with a tablespoonful of vanilla ice cream.
You know how ritualistic basenjis are, this went on for a while. Then one day, when I was cleaning the kitchen floor, I moved the heavy wooden kitchen Island away from the bar it backed up to. Behind it were piles of rotting dog kibble.

I kid you not - Florian had scooped the detested dog food out of his bowl, and hid it. Then deliberately come get us to reward him. I have to admit, I was and still am really proud of him for out-smarting me.

@agilebasenji:

Zest! will fetch, but it is a carefully cultivated, rewarded behavior. And it does come in handy with her agility training.

No basenji I ever had would fetch. They would chase anything thrown, but bring it back, no way - they'd look at me like they were saying "You threw it, you go get it."

My girl would play kick ball, and I had one boy who loved trains and remote control cars.

@lisastewart
Unfortunately, Gettysburg won't work, b/c I'm giving a talk at a conference in NYC that weekend.

"How far are you willing to travel? "
I'm happy to drive, stay overnight and drive back. I also have frequent flyer miles I can use - and fortunately, puppies are small enough to go as carry-ons

@Tanza,

Thanks! All 3 of these are within a days drive. I'll contact them.

I'm looking to get a male (hopefully brindle or b/w, but color is less important than temperament and health) this breeding season. I just had to put down my rescued little girl - 14 1/2 years (geriatric liver failure) and house and heart are way too empty. I'm an experienced basenji person - I got my first basenji puppy as a graduation present 23 years ago and have rescued 2 adults as well. They are the only breed of dogs I will ever have.
My details, I have a fenced 3/4 acre yard in East Windsor, NJ - a fully basenji decorated house (shredded tp everywhere , garbage cans way out of reach…:)) and am very physically active - (I can do the basenji 500, along with the pup). He'll have a fantastic, loving, stimulating, spoiled life.

I especially need a puppy that will be good with people and dogs as I plan to take him to work with me. He will be crate trained, though he'll sleep with me (if he lets me have any room in the bed), because I'll be traveling with him.

I found your site on basenji.org and just joined.
If you are planning a litter this year and have room on your waiting list please contact me.

best,

-sandy clark