In need of a little assistance

Basenji Training

  • How do you respond when he does this? And how often is it happening? Any particular circumstance? You might want to leave a short leash on him so that you can immediately take control of him, hopefully when you "see it coming", not after the fact. I concur that you need outside help with this….


  • I could be wrong but it doesn't sound malicious but it does sound like he has no bite inhibition or that he knows when it is appropriate or not to play bite, I agree that if you can't come uP with some super disciplined rules about how to teach him and corrections to use while teaching him then a behaviorist will work to implement these techniques. Since its escalating it's important you correct 100% of the time he exhibits this behavior and be 100% consistent in the household an with guests on training


  • I agree that it is really important that you find someone at this point to help you with this. I have looked up a few places for you to get in contact with and see if they might suit. These three are all in the Eau Claire area and all offer private lessons. I do not know about their training philosophy so that is something you will have to look into. I am not trying to endorse any of these, but I am hoping to give you a place to start in your area. If you have a local kennel club in the area you can also contact them and ask for recommendations ( I think the Indianhead Kennel Club might be in your area http://www.indianheadkennelclub.org/).

    http://www.abctc.com/

    http://www.rudedogu.com/rdu/index.html

    http://embarkdog.com/

    I also agree with the poster that mentioned that it sounds like he has a problem with bit inhibition.

    Has he ever broken skin? How are you currently responding when he does this? How are you correcting him?

    Be very careful not to correct him in a way that might escalate or compound his problem…the suggestion of spraying him with something like mint spray is probably not the way to go.

    I really do think you should get an experienced trainer/behaviorist to assist you with this. It can most likely be fixed with training...but the wrong approach could also make it much worse. Since we here have to rely only on your description of his behavior and never actually get to observe him our ability to help is limited. :)


  • I suggest having a complete thyroid test done.

    Jennifer


  • Hi again, I wrote about my training my 5 year old, she took till she was 2 and a half to really start listening, although she knew the basics and was quite good. I would love to have a boy to go with her as I am told that frequently a female will not be happy with another girl. Though there is also a risk integrating ANY other Basenji to another, I think my girl would love the company. I am in Michigan outside Detroit but would drive most of the way if you'd consider meeting me somewhere. Perhaps we could at least discuss it, a new home must be as carefully chosen as the original choice of a Basenji….I hope you will not allow him to go with whomever has the cash. I hope to hear from you, my e-mail is dedavis321@yahoo.com (Dave)


  • @DAVE&PIPET:

    Hi again, I wrote about my training my 5 year old, she took till she was 2 and a half to really start listening, although she knew the basics and was quite good. I would love to have a boy to go with her as I am told that frequently a female will not be happy with another girl. Though there is also a risk integrating ANY other Basenji to another, I think my girl would love the company. I am in Michigan outside Detroit but would drive most of the way if you'd consider meeting me somewhere. Perhaps we could at least discuss it, a new home must be as carefully chosen as the original choice of a Basenji….I hope you will not allow him to go with whomever has the cash. I hope to hear from you, my e-mail is dedavis321@yahoo.com (Dave)

    Did you also respond to their Craigslist add? Just in case they do not come here and check this thread?


  • Yes, I did in fact send the same note through Craigs list….wish me luck! THANKS! Dave & Pipet


  • @DAVE&PIPET:

    Yes, I did in fact send the same note through Craigs list….wish me luck! THANKS! Dave & Pipet

    Good luck…

    It really sounds like he needs a basenji savvy home :)

    Keep us updated... I would really like to know if he gets a good home.


  • I just don't feel its fair for the dog. Im not simply sellinghim and am not giving him to anybody


  • @Enigmatic:

    I just don't feel its fair for the dog. Im not simply sellinghim and am not giving him to anybody

    No one was trying to say anything negative… We know you have been struggling with him. I think Dave is really interested in potentially giving your Diesel a home :)


  • I feel so bad but he needs a more experienced owner.


  • @Enigmatic:

    I feel so bad but he needs a more experienced owner.

    It happens to the best of people. Basenjis are not the easiest breed… At least you realize that you are not the right home.

    If you want to find a good home you can also talk to the people with BRAT and place him in breed rescue. Also contact the poster that has expressed and interest in him. Maybe he can find a home with someone here :)


  • Ill Def do that.


  • I have already gotten a few upbeat e-mails from them and I hope that this is an adoption I can facilitate as my experience is solid and deep, my knowledge is as well and my 5 year old has shown herself to be wanting some company. I am reading up on the addition of a Male to a Female Alpha home and all the stuff it entails. I am disabled and home all the time, I have huge yards, a fenced in park right nest door to me where Pipet runs off lead and is very well trained for coming, and all the proper commands I would work to teach Diesel as well. I figure he is still 2 year's away from even considering a moment off lead….but in loo of those transitions (which all Basenji's clearly do not possess the talent to reach - I have been lucky with Pip), I will hope to have the joyous experience of training this youngster to be a great adult Basenji!!

    I will keep you up to date on any developments! Keep your input coming, I value ALL Basenji Owner's experiences in expanding my home and my heart for another one of these miraculous beasties!

    @Moth:

    Good luck…

    It really sounds like he needs a basenji savvy home :)

    Keep us updated... I would really like to know if he gets a good home.


  • Dave, it sounds like you might be the best situation for this dog. Lets hope you can get things done quickly.


  • Believe me, we Basenji owner's who are further along are only too aware of the many challenges these hyper-intelligent dog's give us to deal with on a daily and or momentary basis. The games, personality and craftiness they possess would be a challenge to the most experienced dog professional. But then there is us crazy types who fit so well with the Basenji personality that they fill a void we did not even know was in our lives. Pipet has taught me far more than I have taught her. She has given me a level of patience and appreciation of her sense of humor that defies every other animal experience I have ever had…. from my pure bred Siamese Cats and a top bred Doberman to a couple of Golden Retriever's in my youth, I have only through Pipet, learned to be a real companion and fully tuned in person in terms of the man/dog dynamic.

    As to a recommendation you have received to go through BRAT, I would only say that I have had an experience with them that was, for a lack of an in depth description...unpleasant.....though I would never doubt the care afforded to the dog's by there people all over the country.

    Anyway, don't feel bad, Diesel is young and if he so fortunate to end up in my home (or one like it) and my detailed and nearly 24/7 attentions and focused training, he will find many joyous distractions and great company with both Pipet and me.

    @Enigmatic:

    I feel so bad but he needs a more experienced owner.


  • @DAVE&PIPET:

    I have already gotten a few upbeat e-mails from them and I hope that this is an adoption I can facilitate as my experience is solid and deep, my knowledge is as well and my 5 year old has shown herself to be wanting some company. I am reading up on the addition of a Male to a Female Alpha home and all the stuff it entails. I am disabled and home all the time, I have huge yards, a fenced in park right nest door to me where Pipet runs off lead and is very well trained for coming, and all the proper commands I would work to teach Diesel as well. I figure he is still 2 year's away from even considering a moment off lead….but in loo of those transitions (which all Basenji's clearly do not possess the talent to reach - I have been lucky with Pip), I will hope to have the joyous experience of training this youngster to be a great adult Basenji!!

    I will keep you up to date on any developments! Keep your input coming, I value ALL Basenji Owner's experiences in expanding my home and my heart for another one of these miraculous beasties!

    I hope this works out for you and for Diesel :)


  • im sure it will :)

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    I train all mine with the plastic bag or fur lure on the end of a lunge whip from the day they arrive at my place. After a few weeks of solo training, I add one of my older dogs so they get used to chasing with another dog. Most trials are going to be a significant distance away for you. You might contact some of the coursing clubs and get on their various yahoo groups etc to see if anyone is traveling from your area that could provide transportation to some of the practice runs. I would recommend looking atl locations for LGRA/straight track racing in canada as that is a good way to learn follow and focus before starting to course.
  • Walking Kipawa - need your ideas

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    @DebraDownSouth: I do 2 kinds of walks with my dogs, both do no permit pulling. On most walks, I like to use a longer leash and I allow them to sniff and do whatever… it is what is fun for them. On exercise walks, I make them heel and keep head up. That way they get that sometimes they can meander and sniff, other times it's business. I have never tried it, but I suspect you can teach sniff, then NO SNIFF lol. We do both on our walks, free leash and then heeling. But I would love him to have his head up more during free leash walking.
  • Need right advice on …

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    MacPackM
    Agree with the sit/stay away from the door. We used to toss treats back into the house as we opened the door. Once they know the "escape game" you really have to work to make staying more fun than escaping. And no matter what, once you catch him, love on him. Never let him coming to you, or you coming to him, be a negative thing. We have a fenced area around our front door, not terribly attractive, but safe. YOu might put an x-pen arrangement that you have to step over to get in and out, around the door, once he sees that he can't bolt, the sit/stay and treat toss will be more interesting. Good luck! Where in Fla are you located? We are in the Tampa area and have a very nice basenji meet up every week.
  • Just a little vent…

    Basenji Training
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    thunderbird8588T
    Great to hear things have improved with Paco's toileting. We find that Malaika goes more when on the extending lead. Think she likes a bit of privacy.
  • Need HELP!

    Basenji Training
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    JannekeJ
    @lvoss: My basenjis learn new things very quickly but they also get bored more quickly. In classes that ask for you to repeat over and over again to make sure the dog "gets it", basenjis start to goof off. All of mine get to a point where their behavior and attitude clearly say, "What is wrong with you, didn't you get this the first 5 times I did it?" This is so true! Tillo starts to talk when it takes too long for me to get the fact that he already understands the command.. so there's no need to practice anymore :D
  • Need help with slalom

    Basenji Training
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    Makes for a decorative backyard but it breaks the routine of walks on a leash–any "skill" course seems to trigger the inate ability of challenge.