Skip to content

Lol pricey trainning session

Basenji Training
  • I did a petsmart class with Jack, and it is probably time for us to take the next level of training, and we will probably go back. He did a really good job in there. But, i think a lot of the training has to do with how much you work with your dog at home. We would "practice" every night, and he learned really quickly…..he is so smart (biased, who me? no!)....it is just like school. If you don't do your homework, you aren't going to learn as much.

    And everyone else in the class, when I went for the first time, was like....what do you mean he doesn't bark? A dog that doesn't bark? Impossible!

  • @Robin_n_Jack:

    I did a petsmart class with Jack, and it is probably time for us to take the next level of training, and we will probably go back. He did a really good job in there. But, i think a lot of the training has to do with how much you work with your dog at home. We would "practice" every night, and he learned really quickly…..he is so smart (biased, who me? no!)....it is just like school. If you don't do your homework, you aren't going to learn as much.

    It is important to practice the behaviors you are working on in many different places. If the only place you ever work on them is at home and class they may get really good at home and class but you end telling people "I don't know why he won't do his trick, he always does it at home."

    Of course most instructors can tell who goes home and practices with their dogs and who does not.

  • I have been going to puppy kindergarten with Dallas for the past 3 weeks, 2 more to go. I wasn't completely convinced he needed it since he did all of his commands with me & in the store etc. Hah! I was proven 100% WRONG! When we got to class it was like he "forgot" everything! He was too focused on all the other puppies to follow the commands that he does to a tee at home & even when we're out at stores. Even waving food in his face wasn't helping! He has gotten better since the first week…and with better treats [cheese!] but it amazes me how situational learners dogs actually are. Now I not only practice his commands at home & in class but I pratice at the dogpark [go off to the side for a few minutes & get him to do them], at other people's houses, in all the stores, etc etc etc. So far it has seemed to help but still when in new situations it is hard to get him to do anything besides sit!

  • Jack's favorite three tricks are "sit", "give me five", and "roll over" and he will do them just about anywhere. It is a little hard to roll over with a leash on though- lol!

    This I am very proud of- we trained him to only eat his bones on his blanket (his binki) and not on the couch (it leaves that weird slobbery residue on the couch cushions) so now, when we go someplace new, all we have to do is bring along his blanket, and he won't eat food or bones on the furniture. In fact, if I wash his blanket, he runs around the house with a bone in his mouth trying to figure out where he is supposed to eat it.

  • We had our consultation with a trainer this past weekend and it was very helpful but VERY expensive. She gave us some great advice and some advice that I didn't necessarily agree with. Needless to say, we are going to go to puppy kindergarten with Jackpot starting this month and see how that goes.

    The one very useful thing that the in-home trainer gave us was the book/pamphlet "How to be the Leader of the Pack and have your dog love you for it". Has anyone else heard of this book and used it? I have read through it briefly and it looks good to me…but I'm curious what others think?

  • @Chelbell26:

    We had our consultation with a trainer this past weekend and it was very helpful but VERY expensive. She gave us some great advice and some advice that I didn't necessarily agree with. Needless to say, we are going to go to puppy kindergarten with Jackpot starting this month and see how that goes.

    The one very useful thing that the in-home trainer gave us was the book/pamphlet "How to be the Leader of the Pack and have your dog love you for it". Has anyone else heard of this book and used it? I have read through it briefly and it looks good to me…but I'm curious what others think?

    I think that is the one by Patricia McConnell? I really like it a lot. There are a few little things that I, personally, don't think are as essential as some others. But overall, I think it is a great tool for anyone that has a dog that is even mildly challenging (and all Basenjis fall into that category :) )

    I much prefer the techniques for becoming the leader of the household in this booklet to those in the teachings of Cesar Millan…but again, just my opinion.

  • Sorry to bump an old thread, but I was curious as I'm also in Orlando and soon as I adopt a new basenji mix I'd like to get her started in training. Did you try the ODTC classes? They seem reasonable price wise and if they're located where I think it says on their page at the fair grounds on 50, near my home (bonus!). Hope anyone from Orlando still reads here and will have some suggestions :)

  • goodness, for $750, i think i'd just go buy every video on this page:
    http://www.tawzerdogvideos.com/Leslie-Nelson.htm

    and have a nice dinner and bottle of wine to boot. I actually have Shaping the Future and have watched about 1/2 of it (it's 6 dvd's long, so that's not quite as pathetic as it sounds).

    if you really want an in the flesh person, ask to watch them in a class before committing your $$ to them. see if you like their style and how they deal with the dogs first.

  • See if there is a dog training club. Tampa has Dog Training Club of Tampa, they work with puppies, basic obedience, agility, conformation, for very reasonable rates. They are all volunteer club members but most are great teachers, they team teach so there are at least 2 instructors. Check to see if Orlando has anything like that. DTOT is about $75 for 6 or 8 classes, once a week.

    Otherwise, as Agile says, buy some great books and videos and go for it.

  • Well ODTC.com (Orlando Dog Training Club) does Older Puppy & Beginner Class
    for $110, 8 weeks long. They just started this week so if I ended up with the 10 month old I'd have to wait two months to attend the next class. That sound like the one y'all do there?

  • @Mantis:

    Do not waste your money on in home obedience training. Go to Petsmart and take their basic obedience class. It runs around $99 for 8 weeks of classes. The socialization and disctractions in the store are important to teach your basenji to focus.

    I did Petsmart training with my basenji and it was worth it! I have my puppy enrolled in the Dog Training Club of St Pete for a little less. $80 for 8 weeks.

    I totally agree with this. I took my girl to PetSmart for the 8 week class and she did very well. Of course, as time has gone on, she has decided to keep some, dump some, but a lot of that is lack of consistency on my part. Their classes are very well run, and not expensive.;)

  • the big box shop training is only as good as the trainer. it is, like many things, hit or miss. ask to watch a class with that trainer before spending any money

Suggested Topics

  • Crate training

    Basenji Training
    38
    0 Votes
    38 Posts
    4k Views
    elbrantE
    @sanjibasenji said in Crate training: I have much respect for that accumulated knowledge, but, not to sound rude, that does not make that person a certified or licensed trainer. I actually was offended by what you posted. You said you respect the knowledge, but disregard it because they aren't a "certified or licensed trainer"? These are well-intentioned breeders who volunteer to engage with others on the Forum in an attempt to educate and celebrate this amazing dog breed. They share their knowledge. You don't have to agree with them. Offer your opinion and move on. Please don't suggest that their opinion, experience, and education isn't valid because they aren't "certified" or "licensed". Your overall intent screams that you believe yourself to be better than the rest of us: "I'm a scientist with a PhD." Which puts the rest of us beneath you? In education and social stature? You couldn't know about anyone's socioeconomic status, educational achievements, or expertise on any subject. But you deemed to think it was appropriate to put us in our place. And that, was rude. Even the analogy you offered is an indication that you don't value anyone who doesn't have a degree. Frankly, if you are hearing conflicting opinions about the same piece of art, get a third opinion. The person with the degree may have just scraped by with a C+, while the person who devoted decades may have been under the tutelage of a Master Artist. And really, if you are planning to purchase such a prized piece of Art, shouldn't you educate yourself so you can make an intelligent decision instead of allowing others to tell you what to buy? As an aside: The original YouTube link remains, but we certainly do not need her entire catalog of videos. Sharing information is one thing, advertising for someone is another. I would hope that you understand that not everything you see online is true. Including claims to be an expert, certified, trained, Dr., etc., etc. Lots of people in the world are just selling a story.
  • Kennel Training

    Basenji Training
    20
    0 Votes
    20 Posts
    3k Views
    J
    Yay!!! 👊😊👍
  • Potty Training

    Basenji Training
    8
    0 Votes
    8 Posts
    4k Views
    AntigoneA
    My Dog used a Litter Box until 12 Weeks of Age. After that, I took her to the Horse Farm and let her 'Pack' with older well-trained Dogs. She mimicked their behaviors and she learned how to Sit, Stay, Come when called and lay down. The Dogs did a great job of training mine. I did not have very many problems. these dogs get a bad reputation for being hard to train but they really aren't. They are very stubborn and would rather die than negotiate. Therein lies the importance of understanding the Dog's body language, that tells you all you need to know. They are extremely intelligent and never forget a thing, including people and other animals. Good luck with it!
  • 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.
  • Crate training

    Basenji Training
    8
    0 Votes
    8 Posts
    4k Views
    basenji_fanB
    When you feed him in the crate and close do you walk away? I had a foster that was terrified of the crate and also suffered terrible anxiety w/peeing in the crate too. So I would feed him in the crate and then close the door and sit right there with him. At first I only closed the door half way, did that way for about a week then was able to close it all the (without latching) for another week. I would sit right next to the crate and praise him for eating his meals. Then I would scoot a few feet back at one meal, move back at the next and do that for a for a few times. Then I would stay at the few feet back. It is a slow process but it really really helped him in his crate training process and getting him over his fear. I was soon able to feed him in his crate and walk away. He was running to his crate and sitting for his meals. He still had his anxiety for long periods w/the peeing problem but we even worked on that were we could leave for short times and he wouldn't pee in his crate
  • Training a puppy

    Basenji Training
    6
    0 Votes
    6 Posts
    2k Views
    Robin_n_JackR
    HA! We did the up& back method at my petsmart class. Jack is so flexible, he would actually follow the treat back with his head, until his head was almost lying on his back. I think what I finally had to do was push his butt down with one hand, while holding the treat in front of his face with the other. He got really good at it…now, he sits when I snap my fingers, when I say sit, or, my favorite, when I salute him. Good luck!