We're going CANOEING!

[WBL]

Wonderful pictures, looks like everyone had a wonderful time

[Basenji_Boy]

Good stuff, great pictures as usual, Thanks B.;)

[renaultf1]

Great pics…looks like everyone had a great time!

[Mantis]

So how do you know Miles wont run away? He is your new boy right? How do you do the off leash thing without them running off to chase birds etc?

[nala121498]

How fun! Great pictures!

[BDawg]

Mantis… To answer your question about how do we know they won't run off... First... we have to know that they are FAR from danger... far enough that IF they did run off, they would be safe from cars. Secondly... we know our dogs and we have a good relationship with them. I don't put them in situations that would compromise that. I know they like to be with their pack and we've had Miles off the leash before- he stays with his pack. And it's okay for them to run off a bit to chase something. But they also know that when we whistle (they've gone too far or for too long out of sight or we can't hear the jingle of their collars or them running through the bushes), they come and keep moving with us. Now in a situation where there was an open field next to a highway, you can bet I would NEVER let them off the leash. They don't come in those types of situations. And they might chase something right into the street. We know that about our dogs. So it's basically that they're far enough from danger to allow them to be dogs and sniff and chase at their will. And I guess it's this unspoken respect that they stay with us- and we only call them to us when it's necessary- otherwise they can do what they want. It's THEIR time. All other time is OUR time when we rule. On adventures like this... we let them rule a little. And I think they appreciate that. It's funny. Basenji's are so special. They really seem to understand what respect means. They respond SO much better to when we politely ask them to get off the bed. To when we ask them to "come". To when we ask them to swim out into a river with us- even when we know it might not be their favorite thing. It challenges them and grows our relationship and trust. I guess it's a bit like not crying wolf. When we ask, it's for real. But we don't abuse what we ask for either. It's a give and take relationship. And for us, it works.

[Mantis]

Well I think it is great. I have seen the lure coursing side of Caesar and he did come back in a giant field, but it always worries me.

When they go to the dog park Caesar always listens and stays close. Cairo seems too young to be trusted right now.

What you have seems like an added element to the basenji experience I hope to have some day.

Thanks for sharing.

[navyman]

@BDawg:

Mantis… To answer your question about how do we know they won't run off... First... we have to know that they are FAR from danger... far enough that IF they did run off, they would be safe from cars. Secondly... we know our dogs and we have a good relationship with them. I don't put them in situations that would compromise that. I know they like to be with their pack and we've had Miles off the leash before- he stays with his pack. And it's okay for them to run off a bit to chase something. But they also know that when we whistle (they've gone too far or for too long out of sight or we can't hear the jingle of their collars or them running through the bushes), they come and keep moving with us. Now in a situation where there was an open field next to a highway, you can bet I would NEVER let them off the leash. They don't come in those types of situations. And they might chase something right into the street. We know that about our dogs. So it's basically that they're far enough from danger to allow them to be dogs and sniff and chase at their will. And I guess it's this unspoken respect that they stay with us- and we only call them to us when it's necessary- otherwise they can do what they want. It's THEIR time. All other time is OUR time when we rule. On adventures like this... we let them rule a little. And I think they appreciate that. It's funny. Basenji's are so special. They really seem to understand what respect means. They respond SO much better to when we politely ask them to get off the bed. To when we ask them to "come". To when we ask them to swim out into a river with us- even when we know it might not be their favorite thing. It challenges them and grows our relationship and trust. I guess it's a bit like not crying wolf. When we ask, it's for real. But we don't abuse what we ask for either. It's a give and take relationship. And for us, it works.

I couldn't have said it better myself here. We take our B's to a local park in a beach area far away from any roads and let them roam around. We bring salmon treats only for these times and have trained them to come (most of the time) on a repeated basis to ensure they will not run off to the other side of the park. Of course, there are no guarantees, but in a low-risk environment with no highways around, and a strong relationship with one's B's, it's doable. I'm sure there are certain B's that would run off regardless of the location/environment, and in those cases, off-leash isn't a good idea. It's definitely a 'case-by-case' judgement.

[Mantis]

do you guys do this if there are other people around? how do they react to listening if another person is in the area with you?

[navyman]

@Mantis:

do you guys do this if there are other people around? how do they react to listening if another person is in the area with you?

There were a couple of times when other people appeared in the area of the park that we were letting our B's roam at. The B's ran over to investigate/say hi, and fortunately, they weren't anti-canine types. The "come" command won't work in that situation, since our B's are too curious. Their thinking is: "I'll get the salmon treat after I say hi to this stranger, who might also have goodies for us."

Life is not risk-free for any creature or human that walks upon the face of the earth. My view is if risk can be properly managed for the sake of allowing good experiences, it makes life more worth living. I would add that we feel very fortunate to live near a very large, virtually vacant park surrounded on three sides by water. We would never attempt this kind of thing in a regular city park.

[BDawg]

I bet you're a great parent too navyman. I really agree with the stuff that you say.

And I agree- I know that if we go to the fenced park and I call the dogs, Lexi may or may NOT come. She will come if she thinks I am leaving her. That's why I think they do well offleash when we're moving– like the hiking we did up Maryland Heights. It's a less frequented area that is isolated from traffic. We're moving- they stay with the pack... because they want and choose to. If they see a critter, they might pursue, but they eventually come back to the trail or to your whistle. Even in parks in Georgia where I used to take Lexi to run... there would be other joggers or people walking-- she was off leash. She might give them a quick sniff or jot through the trees after a critter but she always stayed with me as I ran the trails. But the main thing again was that we were isolated from traffic. I didn't HAVE to call her or worry that she went too far. There was no "too far". And I think it's best to learn/test your relationship in safe environments like that. I would NEVER test in an area where there is any way they could get into traffic. That's me. I would never forgive myself if one of my kids got run over, you know. Luckily for me we had opportunities for offleash time. It's harder now that I live in Virginia. It's not as dog-friendly in my area. That's why we make time and take trips especially where we can involve the dogs. Because let's be honest- you know it's gotta be pretty boring to always be inside and on someone else's schedule. I think they appreciate the freedom every once in a while. And like I've said before- when we go places off leash- I try not to call them unless I need them. I let them have THEIR time and do what THEY WANT.

[Mantis]

I admire the ability of other breeds that can stay off leash and close to their owners in a normal setting. I suppose the traits I love about my basenjis would be gone if they had the ability to not be interested in moving things.:)

I know I am not supposed to say this, but I do enjoy seeing my basenjis fly through the air over furniture like little mountain goats. It is pretty amazing to see them indy 500 through a room.