Skip to content

Help with Recall

Basenji Training
  • Does anyone have any suggestions how to improve a basenji's recall. I know they hear me when I call them, the ear moves slightly in my direction. But even when I use "cookie", which ususally works doesn't always work. Any suggestions?:o

  • Make sure whenever you call them, a treat is involved.
    THAT means, when your mad, you can't call them to you. It should only be good things heading toward you.
    Also, if you have a large fenced area, or dog park you can go to..enclosed.
    Sneak off, and wait for them to find you.
    Treat when they do…sort of a hide and seek.
    At my house, even without treats, if I am out of a room for a few minutes, they come find me.
    good luck.

  • I have a large enclosed yard, so I should play a little hide-n-seek with them and reward them when they find me even though I didn't call? Right?:) I really want to improve this for many reasons, safety first and foremost and then I would like to put one of my b's in Rally. So thank you for the advice :)

  • The best results I have had is by teaching name response. I use clicker training but you could modify the technique to work without it. Start by just sitting with out in the yard with one dog or out on a park bench and say your dog's name. At first, any reponse to their name click and treat. Once they start to move away say name again, and if they start to turn toward you, click treat. What you really want is to build to them coming toward you when they hear their name. Usually they catch on pretty quickly that their name means treats are coming. Some will stop moving away from you and start just staring at you waiting for the click and treat, this is a great way to start working on attention. If you are really good about rewarding name response and practice a little everyday, you find that they build a very strong muscle memory to hearing their name.

  • Really Reliable Recall
    http://www.dogwise.com/search.cfm
    in book or dvd form

    Leslie Nelson has Afghan hounds, so she understands

  • Roast Beef, Chicken, Turkey, etc.

    In short Lunch Meat

Suggested Topics

  • Help with grouchy girl!

    Basenji Training
    16
    0 Votes
    16 Posts
    7k Views
    B
    My girl athena is like that very grumpy when our boy moves or settles around her while napping, growling n showing teeth n little nips… but never towards us, By the way i was never a big fan of the brindle pups but yours is perfect, faro is the cutest lil guy ever
  • Need HELP!

    Basenji Training
    27
    0 Votes
    27 Posts
    8k Views
    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
  • More help please! another problem..

    Basenji Training
    8
    0 Votes
    8 Posts
    2k Views
    MaxBooBooBearM
    When I was trying to keep Tyler and Zoey in the Xpen (instead of my computer and bookcase like I do now), I actually nailed it to the hardwood floor. Now I have some screw bolts on the sliding glass door frame to hook the end panel to so that they can't move it to get to my desk/bookcase. The other end panel goes behind the bookcase next to the wall. There are ways to keep it in place.
  • Help with socialization

    Basenji Training
    17
    0 Votes
    17 Posts
    6k Views
    nomrbddgsN
    I've had to retrain a pug and a chihuahua not to bite me when clipping their nails. The pugs' nails were left to grow and ended up growing into the pads of the foot. The vet wanted to put the dog to sleep to trim the nails. She now lets me trim the nails-with a dremel-without trying to bite. The Chihuahua was put under to trim it's nails before I had it. It took me six weeks to just touch it's feet, but after that we were able to move very quickly and cut it's nails within a few weeks. It does take a lot of time-but it's worth it.
  • Leash Pulling…HELP!

    Basenji Training
    11
    0 Votes
    11 Posts
    7k Views
    JannekeJ
    I just stand still when Mirtillo pulls. He has a normal collar and leash. I wait untill he makes a turn and comes to me or makes eye contact. When he comes, he gets a treat. (just his normal kibble) When he makes eye contact I tell him he's a good boy. We are now at the point that when he comes he doesn't immediatly gets his treat, he first has to follow, sit, follow and then it's ok. On the flexi I mostly try to call him to come to me before he is at the end of the line, he gets a treat and he is 'free' again. On the normal leash Mirtillo also gets rewarded when he just looks at me and/or walks next to me. That way I'm way more interesting then the ground… When there is a dog/cat/bird and he pulls, I don't expect him to pay attention to me.. so I'm happy when he sits when I stand still and gives a quick glance at me. I also tried the method of just making a lot of turns, until the dog pays attention.. I didn't like it.. it was frustrating for me and for Mirtillo. I don't like to pull back.. I believe it is way too easy for the dog.. When I stand still, Mirtillo has to figure out how to get me walking again.. It's more of a positive game. When he pulls, I don't think... Ooooooohw.. here we go again........... But I think: ok, this is a great opportunity to get him to pay attention to me.. And I just stand still.. first he will ignore me, he will sniff somewhere else (there is no pulling anymore), then he will try to pull again to make me clear he wants to go there.. then he cries.. And then he thinks: I HATE YOU.. and he looks at me and comes to me with a face like: IS THIS OK??? And then I praise, give something yummie and we're both happy.
  • Need help with slalom

    Basenji Training
    6
    0 Votes
    6 Posts
    7k Views
    M
    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.