Training techniques

[MorseSA]

First off, you have to remember that a Basenji is smarter the a human. So make your play a game time. That way he or she is not trying to out game you.
stafford morse

[DonC]

@zande

So sorry you have to have surgery on your knee. Wishing you the best of outcomes and a speedy recovery.

[Zande]

@donc Thank you ! I had a whole knee replacement yesterday and am delighted to think I will be able to walk with Hoover and Mku again ! I haven't been able to cross my own kitchen without sticks for what seems like months.

I have always stressed the importance of teaching re-call as a first priority with a new puppy. Hoover is 12 so no problems there but I am so glad I worked with Mku as soon as he arrived, late February.

Since I have been incapacitated, my son has been taking them to the woods for a long walk Saturdays and Sundays, and a kind neighbour has taken Mku with a Border Terrier on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Mku adores Maisie, the Terrier, and will follow her, even paddling after her down woodland streams - very unbasenji-like. She is helping to keep his training going.

He won't know what hit him when Mom is back in action !!!

[elbrant]

@zande So glad to hear that you are on the road to recovery!! Take it easy, don't overdo it. We all want to hear that you are as strong as you were as a youngster.

[wizard]

As mentioned basenjis require positive training techniques, consistent consistency, mean exactly what you say (is "down" for get off or is "down" for lie down?), have patience, training needs to be fun (always use happy voice never yell or reprimand), PLAY with your basenji at each training session (read When Pigs FLy as suggested).
When you take a obedience class, never worry about the other dogs and how fast or slow your dog responds relative to them (this will require you research possible intructors). When my male was in class and we were learning the down command (for lie down), other dogs would have it in one or two sessions BUT my instructor understood basenjis and said No Worry, he'll get it - it took almost 9 months but he finally did it (patience needed).
My dogs have Rally Master titles, Master Agility title, Intermediate Tricks titles, and Barnhunt title. It can be done.

[coldsenji]

Hello again,
I like "When Pigs Fly" and "Dogs are from Neptune".
Also, look up "It's Yer Choice". It is a fantastic impulse control game. It helps Basenjis a lot. It teaches them to wait to get what they want. Do it in very short bursts at first (60 seconds!) and always end on a good note. It is a good foundation for training and it is a game that extends to meal time.
Short training sessions work better.

[DonC]

@zande said in Training techniques:

@donc Thank you ! I had a whole knee replacement yesterday and am delighted to think I will be able to walk with Hoover and Mku again ! I haven't been able to cross my own kitchen without sticks for what seems like months.
...
He won't know what hit him when Mom is back in action !!!

Best wishes for your being up and about as soon as possible. Getting old is definitely not for sissies!

[Zande]

@donc said in Training techniques:

Getting old is definitely not for sissies!

but it beats the alternative !

Hope to get home today - because of covid, no-one can leave their room or go to the gym but the physical therapist will bring some sort of steps in and teach me to do stairs.

Not sure that Hoover and Mku will be as patient as the nurses in here though !

[DonC]

@zande said in Training techniques:

Hope to get home today - because of covid, no-one can leave their room or go to the gym but the physical therapist will bring some sort of steps in and teach me to do stairs.

Not sure that Hoover and Mku will be as patient as the nurses in here though !

Hospitals are not the most restful of places so I'm sure you'll be more comfortable at home. Hard to guarantee anything but I'll guarantee Hoover and Mku will NOT be as patient! But I'm sure they will be besides themselves with joy to see you.

[Zande]

@donc said in Training techniques:

I'll guarantee Hoover and Mku will NOT be as patient! But I'm sure they will be besides themselves with joy to see you.

No such luck Mku was pleased to see me, yes, but he crowed and yodelled when Paul came through the gate and rushed to him ! He is convinced he is Paul's dog.

Hoover was subdued but relieved, I think, to get Mom back -

Exercises, ice-packs and restful nights - at least the road to recovery is under weigh.

[DonC]

@zande said in Training techniques:

No such luck Mku was pleased to see me, yes, but he crowed and yodelled when Paul came through the gate and rushed to him ! He is convinced he is Paul's dog.

Silly boy. He'll figure it out though. In one way it's great -- you know he's been in good hands. Hope your recovery goes smoothly. My understanding is rehab from knee replacements take a bit.

[Zande]

@donc For some reason I seem to have been cut off from notifications from the Forum - not sure why and am trying to get back on. I can't believe there has been no traffic at all for two whole weeks ?

Recovery was going well until Mku unrolled the loo paper in the bathroom. I tried to clear it up, he didn't want it picked up (SOO much more fun to roll in it !) He knocked me backwards into the bath. . .

But he has a problem now. Hoover died last Saturday. Totally unexpectedly, in the car on the way to the vet. He is a forlorn, lonely little Basenji without his buddy. Those two bonded so very well since he came to plague the life out of the old lady. I expected him to pine - Basenjis do. But not like this . . . utter misery except when he is out in the woods with Paul or with a neighbour, and even then he is much more sedate and reserved. Its a worry.

[tanza]

@zande - So sorry zande on your (and Mku) loss of Hoover. Hope that your rehab is going OK....

[DonC]

@zande Ever so sorry about both the physical setback and losing Hoover. It's always hard, and having it be unexpected makes it harder IMO. No doubt the house seems empty for both you and Mku. Hopefully you'll both bounce back. You have my sympathies.

[JENGOSMonkey]

@zande I don't know you, but I definitely know what you're going through with the loss of Hoover. My heart goes out to you, Paul and Mku. Take it easy and heal... both physically and emotionally. I'm rooting for all of you.

[Kembe]

@zande
Sally - I am so sorry to hear about Hoover. My deepest sympathies to you, Paul, and little Mku. Hoover will be in your hearts and memories forever.

[Zande]

Thank you. Hoover had a good life, if only a short one. She was just 12 and one of the youngest we have ever had leave us. She is safe now, hunting with the rest of my departed pack, but my immediate problem is Mku.

Last night he cried again until Paul, who is sleeping in my house while I am recovering, took him to bed with him and tonight I will have him. In the daytime, at the moment, it is easy for me to stay with him because I can't drive or walk far ! But he will have to be left when I need to shop for groceries or when the visually impaired craft group I help run starts up again, post lockdown.

My vet has suggested something called an Adaptil Home Calm Diffuser to help Mku to be on his own. I have ordered one from Amazon and it is due to arrive on Friday. Does anyone know of this device ? Apparently you plug it in and it difuses comfort to lonely doggies.

I will try to remember to log in each day to see what is going on in the Forums but if anyone can suggest how I can go back to receiving notifications, it would be a big help ?

[eeeefarm]

So sad to hear about Hoover and your ongoing problems with Mku. These things always happen at the most difficult time! Not exactly easy for you to handle your recovery from knee surgery with everything going to pieces around you. Take care. You will get through this and so will Mku.

[elbrant]

@zande said in Training techniques:

... Adaptil Home Calm Diffuser ... Does anyone know of this device ? Apparently you plug it in and it difuses comfort to lonely doggies.

This cracked me up! Sorry, but it's the way you wrote it.

My guess is that the aromatic (whatever you choose) is supposed to be calming. Lavender is supposed to be calming for humans, but I'm not sure what smells would calm down a pup.
Such an interesting concept.

And, the goofball in me is wondering: If they had scents like "campfire steak" would it help a pup with no appetite want to eat? Or would it just send any nearby pup into a frenzy looking for the sirloin?

[Zande]

@elbrant I hope it will arrive today and I will let you know of its success or otherwise. We will try it out immejutely it arrives.

Mku slept with me last night. He slept like a log. I didn't, but at least it gave Paul a rest.

The diffuser is supposed to diffuse comforting pheronomes. I like the idea of changing it to encourage eating etc. You could be onto a winner there !