Skip to content

Any leash training tips?

Basenji Training
  • Anything along the lines suggested by Malik or eeefarm. I'll just add that treats can be useful as well.

    However, you're right that at four months your pup needs to explore. Twigs, sprinklers, clumps of grass are all new an exciting. So at this point you may not want to overly focus on how they walk on a leash.

  • @malik This is awesome I love it!! I'll definitely try these methods out, I have a feeling the search game will be her new favorite!

  • This post is deleted!
  • @tanza said in Any leash training tips?:

    And in fact note that many will say "my dog is friendly" when in fact the owner has no clue that their dog is invading another dogs space on a lead...

    Dogs on leads feel vulnerable and that is the time NOT to allow your dog to approach too closely, regardless of what the other owner says. We aren't even in a 'smaller community', elbrant, we are deep in the countryside. But we still try to avoid other people and other dogs. On the rare occasions we meet others out on the myriad public footpaths which abound around here - both or all dogs are grabbed or reined in and one party backs right off down a side trail if there is one, behind trees if there isn't. Or even just a discreet distance out onto the field.

    If one dog is on a lead and another free, the tethered dog will feel vulnerable and so the owner of the free dog has to control it NOT to approach too close. This is done with patient training - recall being to me one of the most important things a puppy should be taught. Mku (aout 17 - 18 weeks now) will brake and come back to a whistle (I can do that extremely piercingly). Sometimes he gets a treat and sometimes inordinate praise. He is always hopeful for the former !

    On the lead, going up through the village, he pulls, I stop. He stops, we go on. To drop the lead and stand on it - I might miss it and have him under a car in seconds ! My arm is quite strong enough to hold him - LOL

  • @zande said in Any leash training tips?:

    To drop the lead and stand on it - I might miss it and have him under a car in seconds

    The idea isn't to drop the lead, but (stop and) stand on a section of it between the leash handle and the dog collar. IMO, body weight trumps arm strength against a pulling dog. (Dog age, size and breed makes a difference.)


    @zande said in Any leash training tips?:

    Dogs on leads feel vulnerable

    True, I've noticed this myself. A tight leash-hold is a clear indication that the other dog owner/walker is not interested in any interaction. I use a "leave it" command which I use for things like trash, (other) dogs solids, or dogs that I want her to pass by and ignore.


    @tanza said in Any leash training tips?:

    many will say "my dog is friendly" when in fact the owner has no clue

    LOL, too true!

  • @malik said in Any leash training tips?:
    It sounds as if we both have the same walk philosophy. It is HER walk, for her enjoyment, so as long as she is not in danger, I let her sniff and check out what ever she wants. she loves it and never wants the walk to end. My dog too loves to watch for other people or animals coming and will "freeze" up to where I cannot budge her! Usually I can stop and pet her a little and she will then start moving again, But I have had to pick her up and carry her twice because she just would not move. I love this idea "We also have a game where I say "search" and throw a treat on the ground. It's great, because the treat bounces and she loves to chase it" and Iplan to do this with her.

  • @malik said in Any leash training tips?:

    I've also done a lot of additional training at home. Impulse control is important. Not eating before your say so, place treats on the floor etc. On walks, I often stop her and ask for her to sit and to give paw etc. We also have a game where I say "search" and throw a treat on the ground. It's great, because the treat bounces and she loves to chase it with her eyes or nose.

    If I was doing this with a dog I would not use anything edible, but something she can "find" and trade for a treat. Maybe a toy the dog likes, or something along that line. Dogs are natural scavengers and will gobble up most anything (edible or not!) that they find on the ground. Personally I want to discourage, not encourage, that behaviour. Dogs can and do sniff and ingest things that make them ill. The owner may not even realize that something encountered on a walk is what is making the dog sick. I do like the idea of playing games with the dog, but I would want to be sure the games are safe. For the same reason I have a problem with people allowing unlimited sniffing around. Before you know it, the dog is eating something it shouldn't. If you want to let your dog sniff, please be very observant and ready to intervene if the situation becomes unsafe. You do not want your dog sniffing other dogs' feces. It's a good way for them to pick up something nasty that may cost you a trip to the vet, or worse!

  • This post is deleted!
  • @malik said in Any leash training tips?:

    so she isn't able to sniff around where I can't see.

    Honestly, "doodle's" nose is becoming legendary. I'll think she's smelling the bush (or urine on it) and she'll come out with a bagel in her mouth! (yes, this actually happened!) I have learned that she can find all manner of things that are clearly obvious to her nose and undetectable to my eyes. If your pup is intent on what she's smelling, there's a reason for it.

  • This post is deleted!

Suggested Topics

  • Off leash

    Basenji Training
    26
    0 Votes
    26 Posts
    6k Views
    tanzaT
    @zande - Agree Zande.... I did do a search... I use your site almost every day!
  • Recall training

    Basenji Training
    4
    0 Votes
    4 Posts
    3k Views
    Shaye's MomS
    I also have a Verizon air card USB - the video may use it all up. Also, instead of using the laptop with the air card, I used my home computer to call it up and found you have to subscribe to something in order to watch - it's my policy not to do that. So, even though the video may be great, you do have to sign up with something to do so.
  • Leash training

    Basenji Training
    33
    0 Votes
    33 Posts
    14k Views
    agilebasenjiA
    quick note- I don't feed raw; i feed a grain free commercial dog food (there are now quite a few on the market) and have been very happy. I do feed some cooked muttloaf (http://www.maryshouse.us/Recipes.htm) with the evening meal.
  • Training words

    Basenji Training
    7
    0 Votes
    7 Posts
    2k Views
    P
    What an interesting article - I must say I do use 'No' but in future will think first before I say it!
  • Show Training

    Basenji Training
    2
    0 Votes
    2 Posts
    2k Views
    tanzaT
    Have you tried to contact anyone in the Tucson Kennel Club? http://www.azdogs.com/tkc/ They don't have much of a website, but do have email addys for the President and Secretary. There are likely other kennel clubs in the area also
  • Loose Leash Training a Basenji

    Basenji Training
    21
    0 Votes
    21 Posts
    14k Views
    J
    Wow. I didn't realize it was so difficult to get Bs to walk nicely. I guess we had a lot of the "dirty work" done for us by the breeder. Joey, we got him at 10 months, walks superbly on his leash. I do need to remind him sometimes, but he gets back in line right away. The breeder tells me to be sure they know who is boss with every issue. I do see a difference with each of my kids that take Joey out and Joey knows who he can be tougher with and who he really has to listen to.