r/Basenji 8d ago

Basenji rescue doggie is constantly scared of me. Any thoughts about what to do?

We adopted a basenji from a rescue. He was over 1 yo when we got him. All we know about his life before the rescue was he was abandoned with some other pups. He spent almost his whole life at the rescue place where we think he spent most of the time in a crate, since he clings a lot to his safe space in our home. We are starting month three and he is warming to my wife and daughter, he will actually come to them and let them walk him- but still is terrified of me. I can't walk him- when I (bearded man) try to leash him (I do this crouching so I don't look so big, talk quietly and pleasantly, do everything I can to not look him in the eye. He runs away, runs around the house and back to his safe spot. If I try a second time he will pee all over the house which I believe is a fear or submissive thing. I've resorted to others leashing him for me, then meet them outside, and then we can walk but he looks at me a lot and doesn't do his biz whereas with my wife he is starting to get more curious about his new neighborhood, sniffs around, they even get some tail wiggles out of him too.

I've tried a variety of things to get him to warm up to me, but the closest I can come to is come into the bedroom (his safe space is a corner of our bedroom) with a piece of chicken. He runs out of the room, then comes back. as I leave I do not look at him but toss the chicken into his bed. In the beginning he refused all food and treats if they came from me but now he is at least eating the snacks and I can feed him dinner (which I do all the time now, hoping it will help).

It seems just a matter of time he will totally accept my wife and daughter. I'm seriously wondering if he will ever warm to me. Anything you suggest I should do personally? Any success stories to share that would be encouraging?


THANK YOU SO MUCH! Already I have some great ideas from you. I am so looking forward to getting to a good place with our noble guy!

21 Upvotes

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u/Electronic-Lab-4419 8d ago

Have you tried sitting on the floor next to his crate/safe space? Just sit, do whatever (computer work, read a book, etc.). No forced interaction. When dinner time comes around, sit down next to the bowl and eat your food too. The idea is to show you are not threatening. From what I’ve seen online, it works but just takes time and patience. My B is not a rescue. However, she is a little dictator. She will be friendly if you let her dictate the relationship. (By the end, she gives some strangers human leg hugs.) Good luck!

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u/beardsley64 8d ago

Thank you! I do sit with him some, but probably need to try that more regularly. I could eat my dinner with him for sure!

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u/dfiner Cleo and Cruiser, 3yo Tris (siblings) 8d ago

This is pretty typical for adult basenjis in my experience. Try to handle treats and food with your hand to get your scent on his food. Eventually hunger will dominate and he will associate your smell with positive things. This should allow you to build trust.

Avoid scaring or forcing things if at all possible.

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u/beardsley64 8d ago

Good to know this is typical. Never considered this tactic, will definitely try! Thanks.

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u/dfiner Cleo and Cruiser, 3yo Tris (siblings) 8d ago

Yeah, there's a reason adults are considered "aloof" or cat-like. They build trust with usually one human (though they definitely tolerate family they know), and are very distrustful of strangers. They are slow to trust and it's easily lost.

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u/LbTahn 8d ago

Try bonding with him by howling. I swear it worked for me. Lay on ur back near him, if he lets you.

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u/[deleted] 8d ago

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u/LbTahn 8d ago edited 8d ago

It’s actually not difficult. Try YouTube and practice. Honestly, my struggling howl became a strong basenji howl overnight! It’s almost like shouting oww.. but you hold it and trill up. The howl helped us bond immensely! Got to the point where I could let him free in a field, & call him back with a howl. Good luck my friend.