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Walking tips for Duna.

Basenji Training
  • Kalima62K

    I've read about the gentle leader on this forum and looked up the sight. I haven't had the time to search for one over here ( cos really, i hope Duna as by a miracle, will start to walk well. ) The other day i spent 3 1/4 of an hour changing direction every minute, and i did confuse her…and it got me frustrated!!! People musyt of thought i was crazy...but i didnt care at all...im keen on training her now that she's young cos i dont want to get her into bad habits that she'll keep up for ever!!!

    M@ri & Dun@

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  • wizardW

    I bought the S/M gentle leader - it's their head/neck size that important - and others that I've talked to all have the S/M size. Gossy has tried to pry it off in the grass but hasn't yet succeeded and now pretty much tolerates it. And like I said I don't always have to put it on but when I need it, it really makes a difference - the trick is that it controls the head and not the neck, like a horse halter.

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  • BasenjimammaB

    Thanks Wizard. I will try to find the tweener size..maybe I have to order it form online.

    Petra and Pippin

    with Otis in my heart…

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  • B

    I've been following this thread with interest to see if I can apply any of your tips to Pat. My problem is mabe slightly different though and I wonder if you have any experience of what might work. Pat is not too bad when we are walking in the woods - but when we walk in the town he 'lunges' at cars, people or dogs. Obviously I need to be extremely vigilant as on a couple of occasions he has taken me by surprise and tugged the lead from my hand. I am not entirely sure what he would do if I let him get to the person either - would he just jump at them or maybe grab them (he is quite a 'mouthy' dog) Obviously I don't want to find out! Do you think the gently leader or halti would curb this behaviour? I have tried a noise distraction in the form of a small aerosol called a 'pet corrector' - it just lets off a harmless hissing sound (air) - worked a bit but seem to have to use it ALL the time. Any tips gratefully received! Thank You.

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  • BasenjimammaB

    I think the gentle leader or any head leader would work for that because he is not going to be able to lounge at all. However you would have to use it all the time, when walking in an environment that has people. cars and what not around. I haven't gotten one for Otis yet, but spoke to a friend last night that got one for her 80 lbs mutt and swears by it. He used to tug her into ditches and into the road..no more..as soon as he starts tugging he will be torqued to the side and it will divert him from what he initilally focused on, and I believe it is fairly uncomfortable to be pulled to the side so the dog tends to learn not to to tug or pull. I hope it helps..

    Petra and Pippin

    with Otis in my heart…

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  • Kalima62K

    basenjimamma…i'm wailting for you to buy it first and try it :p
    i've found this italian link...is it the same thing?
    And what size must i buy?
    At the bottom it gives you the breed for the size..where does the basenji come in??
    http://www.theidealdog.com/store/comersus_viewitem.asp?idproduct=297

    M@ri & Dun@

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  • BasenjimammaB

    Mari,

    That is it. I think the size Wizard said he got was a in between size S/M. Apperantlt S is too small amd M is too Large. i will get mine today..I think..

    Petra and Pippin

    with Otis in my heart…

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  • Kalima62K

    I've just read on the italian net of people writing that if you misuse the gentle leader, it can lead to seriouse problems and can become dangerouse! Is that correct? has anyone out there had any negative experience with the gentle leader???:mad:

    M@ri & Dun@

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  • BasenjimammaB

    I guess the clue is "if you misuse it" anything could happen. Shoot if you misuse a child carseat it can become dangerous, right? If it is used for its intent and properly put on, I can not see it being dangerous, but hopefully somebody with actual experience with the leader will chime in soon.

    Petra and Pippin

    with Otis in my heart…

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  • wizardW

    Kalima - I think the piccolo would be the size you want.
    I went and rechecked and the halter says S (although the package said S/M).

    The important thing to fit it properly (it's not difficult) - pay attention to the diagram and it will work fine.

    Since your leash is attached to the halter from below, if the dog starts to lunge it (the halter) pulls the head down and to the side a little and that's what stops the dog.

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  • nala121498N

    @Shaye's:

    …just threw herself down and pawed at it no matter how many times we tried, the Easy Walk Harness...

    I agree with this…although I've never tried this type...Nala did the same thing as Shaye's Mom says...she threw herself down and pawed at it...she lost hair from it...it was a nightmare! Also, people thought it was a muzzle (not that I cared), but the other type that goes around the chest and/or legs seems a bit better to me...In my humble opinion, that is!:o

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  • BasenjimammaB

    I went to the store today and looked and looked at the head leads and the regular harnesses…and looked some more...and I still walked out of there without either..I could not make up my mind. I am determined to get Otis good at walking on his martingale collar. I dont like the thought of the head leads, and I don't like to look of the harnesses...silly, I know. A few more weeks of puppy classes, once we are done with that..if he is no better, I will cave in and get...one of them. There are two labs(huge, like small horses) in Otis' OB classes and they hate their head halters...keeps on pawing at them and are looking plain miserable the whole time, I want Otis to enjoy the walks as much as I do..so we have to work on it.

    Petra and Pippin

    with Otis in my heart…

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  • Kalima62K

    Ok..i'll check my local vet distributor ( pet shop, only this place sells even animal medecines) to see if i can find it there or i'll order it online…......yesterday Duna behaved well in town...is she improving or was it a "GOOD" day for her??? :)

    M@ri & Dun@

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  • Kalima62K

    I think mommies and daddys all, would not like to see their fur babes with a harness or gentle lead that makes them unhappy…but i think its just a way we feel for our loves, surely they get used to it in the end if it's introduced to them positivly ( gosh my spelling!!!!:mad:)
    I my self like you basenjimamma, is hesitating hoping that Duna will all at once behave during city walks....I'll give her some more time before i order the gentle leader...but it will only be in "extremis" when i'll really realize that i need to try an other method for her.:D
    Maybe the result will be so positive ( as read on this forum) that i'll think to myself: " Shucks!!! Why didn't i decide earlier???" Instead of looking like an isterick jerk, correcting, talking and stopping and turning back with a dog on the lead???:rolleyes:

    M@ri & Dun@

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    @ryanp said in Walking: @ktiefen1 Hello - would you please share the type of harness that the behaviorist recommended? I have two basenjis and they're hunting instinct for squirrels and cats is taking its toll on my shoulder and back. Thank you! Behaviorists aren't in agreement on much of anything. Gentle Leaders have a lot of fans, but I'm not one of them. I believe in going back to step one and teaching your dogs not to ever pull on the leash. If someone is disabled or for some reason really needs one, that's different. But training your dog is best. If I had to use one, I'd back it with a harness or collar, especially walking 2 dogs, since getting out of one might be easier. Should add some DOGS need harnesses, not collars or head harnesses if they have neck injuries or even some eye issues. And even though I am not a big fan, they can provide more security. This article is from professionals and they prefer harnesses, as well as tell you how to choose: https://activepet.co.uk/dog-harness/ Abstract The effect on intraocular pressure (IOP) from dogs pulling against a collar or a harness was evaluated in 51 eyes of 26 dogs. The force each dog generated while pulling against a collar or a harness was measured. Intraocular pressure measurements were obtained during application of corresponding pressures via collars or harnesses. Intraocular pressure increased significantly from baseline when pressure was applied via a collar but not via a harness. Based on the results of the study, dogs with weak or thin corneas, glaucoma, or conditions for which an increase in IOP could be harmful should wear a harness instead of a collar, especially during exercise or activity.>> https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16611932 For harnesses, there are currently a lot of articles about research on harnesses, which work best with the least inhibition to natural movement. This is a great article on it for anyone on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/notes/tierphysiotherapie-brigitte-jost/reflections-on-chest-harnesses/1369929759778331/
  • KipawaK

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    @DebraDownSouth: I do 2 kinds of walks with my dogs, both do no permit pulling. On most walks, I like to use a longer leash and I allow them to sniff and do whatever… it is what is fun for them. On exercise walks, I make them heel and keep head up. That way they get that sometimes they can meander and sniff, other times it's business. I have never tried it, but I suspect you can teach sniff, then NO SNIFF lol. We do both on our walks, free leash and then heeling. But I would love him to have his head up more during free leash walking.
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    Stinkers. ;)
  • S

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    @SNA: Thank you very much for your comments. I probably have been expecting too much of her. I had a think about what had changed for her to be so obstinate, and I realised that I had been going without my kids. Good for me as it's less work, but my four year old, I realised, was excellent at getting her going again when she stopped, simply by walking ahead, and, if needed, calling her name. Taking my four year old son also means taking my 20 month old daughter in the sling, but at least we can do our 20-30 minute walk around the block. Now I just have to think of a way of convincing my once enthusiastic son who now complains of being tired and who doesn't want to go, of coming on the walk every day! LOL at carrying Dallas, I have to do that with Jessie nearly every time at the end too! Does your puppy have a favorite toy? If so put it in your back pocket and then put the leash on your pet and see how that works. Just make sure your pet cannot get it by jumping. In fact you can make a game of it by playing in your home with the toy and the dog for a about 5 mins before you walk. If your dog likes squeekie toys then you can also buy a replacement squeekie and keep it in your pocket. When you are walking and want the dogs attention you can squeek it inside your pocket. We use Martingale Collar's. Our Basenji seems to tolerate this style well. I also have noticed that leash control is very important when walking my Basenji. For that purpose I use a regular type 6 foot lead that I can wrap around my hand when I wish to take more control of my dog. I also have a very short lead ( about 2 feet or maybe less) that I use when I want the dog to concentrate on walking next to me. After my dog gets his business done, we are all about a constant pace walking. My perception is that if we are out for a walk to exercise him that we should concentrate on that aspect. I also have a 20 foot lead that I do use when we go on a leisure type walk. On that type of walk, I usually allow him to sniff and explore but I keep moving. He might run ahead slightly but then he will stop and wait and then do it again. The only time I use a flexie type or retractable leash is when I am going to let him have the room to run in a circle. Of course like any dog, the more rope or leash you give them the more they will take advantage of. My puppy does not walk perfectly, but what he does is pretty tolerable. After he does his business and we get our first 1 1/2 miles in, he settles down and gets the next 1 1/2 mile in quite nicely. Of course we did not start at that distance but we did start with at least a 1 to 1 1/2 miles when he was a little over 8 weeks old. After the walk, we worked on sit, stay, come, and lay down for about 10 to 15 mins. I always treated him with a couple of cheerio's or something similar directly after the walk. Actually he refused to drink any water until he got his cheerios. Hope this helps, Jason
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    Thanks for the opinion. I will give a head halter a try.