Basenji Rescue and Transport
Providing safe harbors and strong anchors for Basenjis set adrift.

Adoption ◦ Placement ◦ Health & Foster Care ◦ Education ◦ Support

We sometimes ask one of our local volunteers to evaluate a Basenji before we accept the dog for possible placement. If you are asked to evaluate a dog, these guidelines will help you ask the right questions and properly evaluate the dog. You will get a copy of the BRAT Rescue Form submitted by the owner. Be sure to review this form before you visit the dog and ask the owners to verify their answers to all of the questions on the form. Also, if you have a camera, bring it with you and take photos to send us.

These guidelines are designed to evaluate a dog in a non-shelter situation. If you are asked to evaluate a shelter dog, you may need to modify the process because the shelter personnel may not know much about the dog's history.

If you have any questions about the evaluation process in general or a particular dog, please write to us at BRAT-HELP@lists.Basenjirescue.org

QUESTIONS 1-5 CAN BE ASKED OVER THE PHONE, BEFORE YOU MEET THE DOG.

1. Questions to determine whether the owner has worked with the dog. (If the dog doesn't know any commands or just one or two, or doesn't know any tricks, this is a pretty good sign the people haven't worked much with the dog.):

Has your dog had any formal training? ___________________________________________________________

Does your dog pull on leash when walking him? ____________________________________________________

What commands does your dog know? (sit, stay, etc.) _____________________________________________

Does your dog know any tricks? ________________________________________________________________

What sort of games do you play with your dog? (tug, fetch, etc.) ____________________________________

2. Questions to determine sociability. (If the dog doesn't ride in the car and is put away when company comes over, he is not very well socialized.):

Is your dog comfortable on car rides? ____________________________________________________________

While in the car, does your dog react to the sight of other dogs? _____________________________________

Is your dog comfortable when visitors come to your house? __________________________________________

If not, where do you put your dog? ______________________________________________________________

What does your dog do when someone knocks at the door? __________________________________________

Do you walk your dog? _________________________________________________________________________

How often, how far, for how long? _______________________________________________________________

Does your dog pull on leash during walks? _________________________________________________________

Is your dog comfortable when another dog approaches him on walks? __________________________________

Where does your dog stay when he must stay home alone? __________________________________________

How does your dog act at the vet's office? _______________________________________________________

3. To determine how sensitive the dog is.

How does your dog react to having his toenails clipped? ____________________________________________

Where is your dog sensitive (head, rear quarters, feet, etc.) ________________________________________

Is your dog bothered by thunder? ______________________________________________________________

Does your dog like being cuddled? ______________________________________________________________

4. To determine if the dog is dominant.

What does your dog do if you try to move him while he’s resting? ____________________________________

What makes your dog growl or snark? ___________________________________________________________

Does your dog react if you try to take away his toy? ______________________________________________

Does your dog react if you try to take away his food? _____________________________________________

Does your dog have a crate? __________________________________________________________________

Do you use it? How often? For how long? ________________________________________________________

What type of crate is it? Plastic? Wire? __________________________________________________________

Where does your dog sleep? ___________________________________________________________________

Does your dog mind being picked up? ____________________________________________________________

5. If the dog is being given up because a baby is coming or has just arrived.

What is it that leads you to believe your dog might harm your baby? ___________________________________

Has he ever nipped anyone? ____________________________________________________________________

Has he ever bitten anyone and broken the skin? ____________________________________________________

If yes, what were the circumstances? ____________________________________________________________

IN-HOME EVALUATION

Be sure to bring test strips to test the dog for sugar in the urine (Fanconi Syndrome). Take the dog out for a walk so that s/he urinates so you can test the dog. More information on strip testing can be found at http://www.basenjirescue.org/Fanconi/fanconi.htm. (BRAT will reimburse you for the cost of the test strips.)

A dog should be evaluated on his friendliness, shyness, fearfulness, sociability, training, manners, sensitivity to being touched, dominance, and aggressiveness.

▪  Use common sense. Respect both the dog and his owners.
▪  Take plenty of tiny, easy to handle treats.
▪  Do not bend over the dog. Get down to the dog's level by either sitting on the floor or on a chair. ▪  ▪  Hold your hand down to your side, palm up with a treat on it.
▪  Ignoring the dog, but watching with your peripheral vision, talk to the owners about the dog. Do not try to approach the dog ... let the dog come to you, noting how long it takes. The longer the dog takes to approach you the less social he is. Note if the dog seems stressed, ears back, licking his lips, averting his eyes, not looking at you directly, turning his head away when you look at him. Do not set a dog up in order to evaluate a specific trait. If you cannot determine it on your own, discuss it with the owners.
▪  Did the dog come up to you readily?
▪  Did the dog growl at you at any point? If yes, what were the exact circumstances?
▪  Did you notice any of the stress signs listed above?
▪  Did the dog readily take treats from the palm of your hand?
▪  Did the dog ask for more treats?
▪  Could you reach out your hand to the dog, after he approached you?
▪  Did he jump away when you reached toward him?

PREPARE A REPORT

After you have completed your evaluation, prepare a written report setting out your opinion. Make a recommendation as to whether you believe the dog can be placed. Go through the factors above and tell us how you think the dog performed. If you have no reservations about recommending that BRAT accept the dog for placement, prepare a paragraph or two about the dog and his positive features so that we can send that to our list of applicants. Send your write-up to us at BRAT-HELP@lists.Basenjirescue.org

Revised 03/13/12 JK