I know we all know they're smart….

Basenji Talk

  • I know we all know just how smart our basenjis can be, but I still love it when they surprise me.
    Tonight I took a couple of treats & worked with Callie & Lola at the same time (which is difficult because Callie often times just ends up lunging at me maniacally while I'm trying to get Lola to do something, so it can be counterproductive!!!). I used Callie's natural instinct to lunge & bat at me with her paws & rewarded her for just getting my hand with one paw & said "Good gimme five." I repeated it several times while Lola watched patiently & got Callie consistent with batting my hand with one paw when I said "Gimme five." Then I put Callie in a crate & took Lola to a separate room. I told Lola "Gimme five" & held my hand in front of her. After about 30 seconds, she raised her paw & touched my hand. Treat & praise, repeat to make sure it wasn't a fluke. Nope… she did it quickly & consistently several times in a row.
    I've heard many times that training them together can, in some ways, be easier, because they learn from each other. But holy crap!!! That was REALLY impressive!!! Callie learned it in under 5 minutes & Lola learned it just by watching!!!! These guys really are amazing....


  • Unfortunately, it can work for "evil" as well as for GOOD !


  • Sounds great Andrew, clever girls you have there.


  • Way to go Andrew that was neat.

    Rita Jean

  • Houston

    That is great..yes they are smart..scary smart..

Suggested Topics

  • What SHOULD I know about…

    Basenji Talk
    34
    0 Votes
    34 Posts
    14k Views
    Chealsie508C
    So, I've talked with Oakleys breeders and met for play date with some of their pups…things went really well, Oakley took really well to the other pups with me around, so much so I really didnt exist. One pup just clicked and fit perfectly, she would be the perfect temperament and disposition to compliment Oakley and our life...so I'm really glad I got to see what works and what doesn't...one female pup and him just couldn't click the whole time, tensions and such...the dog I originally fell for is a retired female and we tried that as well, didn't go as well- I think Oakley is too abrasive for older females to tolerate...he's a big puppy and acts like it. That cemented for me that a pup really has the best chance of working out. I learned a lot about basenji interaction and behavior, possible issues to be aware of and really just more about Oakley.. It was a very insightful visit and I feel more confident that Oakley will accept the right dog into our home, the decision is really up to me now to see if I can part with Oakley and I being two peas in a pod....still a little worried about having two and not yet having gone through the "having children" phase...the thought of eventually being pregnant with two seems more daunting than one...perhaps some insight into that would be helpful!
  • Kipawa's first 'rehab' test

    Basenji Talk
    9
    0 Votes
    9 Posts
    4k Views
    B
    I had nose surgery a few months ago and when I got home I was worried the dogs would be so excited and jump all on me, but it was crazy how mild mannered and dare I say tame/domesticated they were. I swear they knew I was hurt and gave me a day or so of good behavior. They are truly great dogs to own!
  • Pros and cons of having two of 'them'

    Basenji Talk
    20
    0 Votes
    20 Posts
    8k Views
    BasenjiByTheBayB
    Sounds like a heavenly environment for pups! Yeah, I don't think I'd like to have my b named after a cut of meat either :rolleyes: We named Fiji to sound like her previous name Weegee and she adapted easily. If we bring Peanut home he may become Pinot. Red wine, red dog, y'know ;)
  • What's your B's name?

    Basenji Talk
    71
    0 Votes
    71 Posts
    44k Views
    z1njaZ
    Bushongo Cosmo, breeder who decided that. And I think its ok :)
  • We forget that others don't know….

    Basenji Talk
    6
    0 Votes
    6 Posts
    2k Views
    B
    We hear so many weird noises coming from ours, sometimes it sounds like there's an Exorcism going on downstairs:eek: ….......then there's the Cewbacca sound Max makes....Willy's chimp imitation...Cleo's wolverine sounds.......ya got to love em!:D The Little Af Boy may be the most vocal Basenji I've ever come across......he's always saying something.....so cute:)
  • I Ain't Goin' Out

    Basenji Talk
    11
    0 Votes
    11 Posts
    5k Views
    youngandtiredY
    I live in North Carolina, right on the coast and we have hot, hot, humid summers. Sahara loves to sit on the back steps and lay in the sun, but only after I have frozen her with AC, haha! She hates the cold, when I got her it was still cool nights here and I had a time getting her potty trained b/c she just hated the cold weather. I could not find any dog sweaters to fit her, she was only 8 wks. old, the stores were out of them, so I got smart one night and made her one from the arm of one of my husbands hunting thermal underware. She was much happier then once I got it on her, she hated me putting that thing around her neck and legs. I have her sweaters now, got them 75% off this summer. She hates the rain also, but she has on great ocassion gone on her own to potty while it was downpouring, wonders of wonders, most of the time I have to put a leash on her and pull her outside when it is raining, she will go, but not unless I keep saying, "Go Potty, Sahara". She runs like a mad dog back through her doggie door. Can't wait to see what she does if we have snow this winter, should be interesting.