How well-trined can a Basenji become?

Basenji Training

  • They learn quickly and know exactly what you mean by your commands, but that doesn't mean you get what you want every time. Patience is key, and our 2 sisters surprise us every day - in how good AND bad they can be. Just this morning, at the end of our off leash walk in the forest, I unhooked a leash before calling them, and they came immediately and sat patiently in front of me, even before being called. Tasty treats help!

    We love them on the couch with us! We use a lot of fleece blankets for cover. Works fine for everyone.

    As to biting, correct her when she bites you, but notice the difference in play-bite (easily diverted to chews and toys) and I-am-now-testing-this-human-to-see-if-he's-fit-to-be-my-packleader-or-that-I-should-take-over. The second form of biting is more serious, and should be corrected immediately. As soon as she gets the message, i.e. you ARE the pack leader, it will stop.


  • Our first basenji learned all the commands, sit, sit stay, heel etc, but chose to ignore all of them unless treats were involved. then he taught me to get up, walk me, i need a time out etc.


  • Okay didn't want to make a THREAD, but where is ivoss? I looked and no posts since January.


  • I thought that too, along with Kipawa…hmmm

    Maybe they were trying to avoid puppy season..lol


  • ROFLMAO, puppy season… oh the unfulfilled yearnings!


  • As everyone here has said, it's possible to expect your basenji to e "reasonably trained" - but, that doesn't mean he/she is going to do it every time, and they are very easily bored. As someone has as a tag line, "A Basenji does not obey to orders, it may listen to proposals." The operative word here being "may." Success ten times in a row is no assurance regarding the 11th time. Still, they are worth it. As to the furniture, etc., we finally decided to make a choice: a pristine household or basenjis. Guess what we choose. …....


  • Same goes for having a nice garden, or not.


  • Y'a know, just a random thought.
    I love Rotties, chows and basenjis.

    ANCIENT breeds – chows and basenji in the oldest group.
    New breed::: Rottweilers.

    You can teach a freaking Rottweiler to do ANYTHING, consistently. They live to please.

    Chows and basenjis-- yeah right.

    I remember about 15 yrs ago going first to the American Rottie front page online... article on how to get your dog to do a flip and finish etc.

    I go to the Chow page. I am not joking.. main article... How to Teach Your Chow to Come.

    I laughed a long long long time at the truthfulness of it all. I once knew a lady here in GA that got OBEDIENCE AND AGILITY titles on her dogs. I one day got to meet here when I picked up a rescue to transport and so I asked her HOW. She said, you have to do it young because between 18 mos and 2 yrs, they stopped performing for you.

    So, at least we aren't alone.

    Chow Rules


  • @DebraDownSouth:

    Okay didn't want to make a THREAD, but where is ivoss? I looked and no posts since January.

    Ivoss is awaiting the birth of their first child!….. so busy with that, baby's room, Basenjis, and teaching school. But all is well with the Voss household


  • Whoo hoo, congrats to her..I had no idea :)


  • I think Chow Rules are spot on with Basenji rules!


  • OH MY GOODNESS! Please please give her my congrats! LOL we should throw her a basenji board virtual shower. :)

Suggested Topics

  • What is YOUR Basenji like?

    Basenji Training
    8
    0 Votes
    8 Posts
    7k Views
    Buddys PalB
    so I just got back to this forum and began reading through some threads, what was issheforme final decision for getting a basenji?
  • Evil basenjis

    Basenji Training
    8
    0 Votes
    8 Posts
    5k Views
    dmeyD
    I have had that same situation with Ayo,only with him it's usually with large dogs. we only have one area at the park here, all together, small dogs and big dogs. When he goes in he always chooses one big dog , runs up to him and starts growling. Sometimes he stops very quickly, or the other dog growls back and it stops or it escalates , usually because the other dogs owner freaks out. He is fine around small dogs. And I am pretty sure that he is fine with most dogs, that if I leave them they will work it out, but I'm afraid to let it play out because bigger dogs can really hurt him, and also because usually the other owner freaks and intervenes making everything worse. Sooo, Ayo has started to get a bit of a rep.. The basenji rep!! I usually wait till only small dogs are in…
  • Faro doing well but…

    Basenji Training
    12
    0 Votes
    12 Posts
    3k Views
    M
    Wow that is so inspirational. It is spring break and my husband and I are both with him all day. Leave it is our command of the week. Thanks everyone.
  • Basenjis on CNN

    Basenji Training
    4
    0 Votes
    4 Posts
    2k Views
    K
    Thanks Jeff, go Kaden! Keep it up, and looking forward to his future accomplishments. :)
  • The Dancing Basenji

    Basenji Training
    13
    0 Votes
    13 Posts
    4k Views
    L
    Love it. I had seen the golden video a couple years ago and though. well of course a golden would be willing to learn that. Amazing that a Basenji actually decided it was worth while to learn that :)
  • How can i housebreak my basenji

    Basenji Training
    4
    0 Votes
    4 Posts
    3k Views
    M
    I got my pup when he was 7 months and he was sort of house broken. When I took him to the vet I found out that part of his house breaking issues was that he had a bladder infection. If you continually have problems house breaking (like very frequent urination or peeing in the crate) you may want to have your vet test for a bladder infection just to make sure. Another problem I discovered was that he didn't know how to tell me he had to pee. I hung bells on the door and by having him ring them every time we went out I taught him to tell me when has to pee. It has been great. Some times he rings them just to go out and play, but mostly he rings them when he really has to go out. Now the only "accidents" he's had is when I ignore the bells b/c I am busy. (he literally peed all over the living room the other night because I ignored him) One other suggestion, make sure you use an enzyme cleaner on any "accident" spots. These really eat away the reminants of the feces/pee so that your b will not recognize the area as an ok place to go to the bathroom Other helpful tips I got was to be sure you use the same door when you take your b out and take it to the same part of the yard. Give your b LOTS of praise for going outside (and a treat if it is food motivated).