Skip to content
Basenji Forums
  1. Home
  2. Basenji Training
  3. Advice needed please

Advice needed please

Basenji Training
  • thunderbird8588T

    @nobarkus:

    I had a red/wht named Ringo that was very growly his whole life. He just automatically growled when you'd pick him up. He wouldn't bite just very growly. I'd just tell him "oh quiet you rascal".

    Thanks Dan, this puts it into perspective a bit for me

    Shelley

    Basenji Malaika

    Basenji Malaika
    Basenji Kwame

    0
  • QuercusQ

    I think it is probably just a tantrum, to see if she can get her way. Do LOTS of picking her up, don't put her down until she relaxes, not matter how wild she gets. Ignore the growling, or just say 'too bad honey, you gotta do it'. Lots of puppies try this at this age, it doesn't mean she is going to have a nasty temperament…she just needs to learn it isn't going to get her what she wants. She is the size and age, that you can physically control her, and teach her what is acceptable, as she gets bigger, and more experienced it is harder to do that. This does tell you that she will be the kind of girl who knows what she wants, and will do what she can to get it...so I would start working a kind of "nothing in life for free" program with her.

    Andrea Walters

    Quercus Basenjis

    NW Ohio

    0
  • tanzaT

    I agree with the "nothing in life for free" program…. it is reward based, but it teaches them that the human is the "head" of the house and they need to learn to respect the human lead...

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

    0
  • nobarkusN

    It's a control issue. Ringo like to make sure he let people and large dogs know that he wasn't going to be controlled except it didn't work with me. He knew what I wanted was going to happen. Some dogs like people have control issues. You can't let it intimidate or stop you from controlling the dog. Ringo knew after a while that what I wanted him to do was in his best interest. He would still do his little growly thing but that's just him complaining.

    Buddy, Paolo and Dan

    0
  • lvossL

    The growl is just information. It lets you know when she doesn't like something. Now you can use that information to work with her so she becomes accepting of being picked up. Lots of dogs really don't enjoy being handled and restrained.

    We just got back from puppy class where we practiced, "Grab me, Feed me". The object is to teach the puppy when a person grabs at you that good things (food) is likely to happen. We would grab their collar then feed them. Then maybe grab their ruff and feed, hold their leg and feed, etc so they started to get the idea that being touched even occassionally roughly means good things will likely happen. This also teaches them to like being handled though because they start to associate the handling with the food so they become more accepting of handling.

    0
  • S

    Some folks punish growling harshly. That gives the dog no option.
    Stay quiet and then BITE.
    Please, as Pat says, its just information. Sort of like a kid grumbing about something.

    Sharron Hurlbut

    BRAT, basenji rescue

    Evergreen basenji club

    Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue

    0
  • thunderbird8588T

    Thanks everyone for your advice, i understand about the growl being a warning and have to curb my natural reaction to stopping it. It worried me a bit when she nipped me after being told No, it was a peevish bite and not a play bite. In reterospect i realise i should have used a calm voice.
    As for the nothing in life is free training, we are working on getting her to see us a leaders, ie we are in charge of her toys, we get her to sit before her meal etc. We also ignore her first demands to be picked up and cuddled, and try to invite her over to us before picking her up.
    Roll on the puppy classes.

    Shelley

    Basenji Malaika

    Basenji Malaika
    Basenji Kwame

    0
  • QuercusQ

    @lvoss:

    The growl is just information. It lets you know when she doesn't like something. Now you can use that information to work with her so she becomes accepting of being picked up. Lots of dogs really don't enjoy being handled and restrained.

    We just got back from puppy class where we practiced, "Grab me, Feed me". The object is to teach the puppy when a person grabs at you that good things (food) is likely to happen. We would grab their collar then feed them. Then maybe grab their ruff and feed, hold their leg and feed, etc so they started to get the idea that being touched even occassionally roughly means good things will likely happen. This also teaches them to like being handled though because they start to associate the handling with the food so they become more accepting of handling.

    I like this advice a lot!

    Andrea Walters

    Quercus Basenjis

    NW Ohio

    0
  • P

    Shelley - I agree that Howards' was the better reaction but as I said it's understandable that you were worried because of your previous experiences.

    I hope now by everyones' comments and advice that you now realise that this is no major problem? Malaika is a different baby and she's yours to shape into a lovely girl - the good thing is that you've seen the worst and have the knowledge to avoid it!!

    Talking about growling - here's a laugh, Adonis, our Fula Tri, was excelled in obedience competition but from the age he started to the age he died he accompanied all his obedience actions with a low growl saying "I'm only doing this because you want me to." He had the sweetest temperament with young and old, known and unknown and the growl never meant "I'm going to bite you."

    0
  • thunderbird8588T

    @Patty:

    Shelley - I agree that Howards' was the better reaction but as I said it's understandable that you were worried because of your previous experiences.

    I hope now by everyones' comments and advice that you now realise that this is no major problem? Malaika is a different baby and she's yours to shape into a lovely girl - the good thing is that you've seen the worst and have the knowledge to avoid it!!

    Talking about growling - here's a laugh, Adonis, our Fula Tri, was excelled in obedience competition but from the age he started to the age he died he accompanied all his obedience actions with a low growl saying "I'm only doing this because you want me to." He had the sweetest temperament with young and old, known and unknown and the growl never meant "I'm going to bite you."

    :D:D Adonis sounded a real character and what a name, no wonder he had big ideas ;)

    Shelley

    Basenji Malaika

    Basenji Malaika
    Basenji Kwame

    0

Suggested Topics

  • M

    Help Please!!

    Basenji Training
    20
    0 Votes
    20 Posts
    8k Views
    eeeefarmE
    If you really want to be sure your dog responds appropriately to invisible fence, it is essential to "proof" it properly. After you have thoroughly conditioned the animal to the fence, you need to use very high value distractions or lures while you are present (but not visible) to observe behavior. It's the only way to be reasonably sure your dog will not bolt through the fence, and then you still have the problem of other dogs or people possibly trespassing and causing a problem, since there is nothing to keep them out. In the country, invisible fence can work well, although there is still the chance that the dog will learn to run through it. My friend uses it at her farm, and one of her three dogs (not Basenjis) will go through the fence if the temptation is strong enough.
  • SarahRNS

    Litter box training advice

    Basenji Training
    4
    0 Votes
    4 Posts
    2k Views
    tanzaT
    And you might want to try putting it outside and try getting her to go on it there and then try moving in inside….
  • B

    Well needed exerise

    Basenji Training
    7
    0 Votes
    7 Posts
    4k Views
    renaultf1R
    @ComicDom1: MacPack, thanks for the info on the walky dog. I watched both movies where they are riding the bike and the dog is attached. While I would like to try something like this with my Basenji, I am somewhat nervous because I fear either my Basenji or I will get hurt if the dog just stops dead in his tracks, sees prey and decides to try to bolt and take off after it, or sees something else he wants and either bolts forward or sideways. Do you have any personal experience using this Walky-Dog attachment? Thanks, Jason I haven't used this attachment, but still run Ruby on the bike. The reason you won't lose your balance with the Walky Dog is because it is attached to the seatpost - your center of gravity. Put it on the handle bar stem and that would be a different story. The other key thing is with the Walky Dog (and the way I run Ruby) is that they can't get to the wheels of the bike. Honestly when I run Ruby, I don't feel like she is even attached to the bike - there is no pulling. The one thing I found when running Ruby is that even if there is prey that she might be interested in, she is moving forward and in a manner that doesn't allow freedom to go in another direction. I've encountered rabbits, squirrels, deer and cats and never had her try to chase off to the side. If they are in front of her, she will pick up speed, so I try to match her speed. She's looked at them, then looked at me and all I've said is "keep going or forget it" and there has never been a problem. Mostly she is looking ahead and having a blast running. We run a steady pace on the flats of about 14 - 16mph (11mph up hill - great for her, but it nearly kills me :eek:)…I'm sure she could go faster, but we go about 4 - 6 miles so I don't want to completely wipe her out. You want to tire out a basenji - a bike is a great tool!
  • U

    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
  • spitfirekrl1S

    Need some advice…

    Basenji Training
    12
    0 Votes
    12 Posts
    5k Views
    QuercusQ
    <> He may not find a kong with PB all that important. I am sure there is something out there, that he would find rewarding enough to go into the kitchen when he KNOWS he is going in for the day. Try a raw marrow bone...like a knuckle or femur that you can get from a butcher. Try not feeding him at all, until he goes into the kitchen in the morning...if he wants to eat, he has to go into the kitchen. Other than that, it sounds like you are handling it very well. He may have to wear a lead to get him into the kitchen, then you can remove it. I imagine he was allowed to pretty much do whatever he wanted in his last home...so he is confused with the new restrictions, and boundaries you have put in place (ones that he should have had from the beginning). It is hard when a dog has to start from square one, especially when they have learned that using their mouth can get them what they want. Good for you for hanging in there. He will eventually learn that he has to cooperate. I would definitely use his food for reward for good behavior. Doesn't mean you have to withhold his food if he doesn't cooperate...but you can use his food to help him realize what you want him to do.
  • sekoS

    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.