I'm hearing that excessive pulling causes strain on the knee joint and damages the patella. There is a harness available that rides under the "arms" and when the dog pulls it doesn't injure the dog, but it is uncomfortable enough to stop the pulling. It's called the Sporn anti-pull harness: www.sporn.com/cgi-bin/commerce.exe?preadd=action&key=SPUS3 Perhaps it will help. I used it on a very strong ACD and it worked like a charm.
Also, I use Maya's idea of placing the collar in the show position when AJ is having trouble with distractions. He doesn't have any choice but to not pull.
Just a word of caution about harnesses. They can cause damage because they restrick the shoulder movements. Many dogs that are in harnesses will begin to windmill their front legs to compensate for the harness.
Some are made much better than others and the one that AJ Human has posted is one of the better ones.
Hello everyone. I am new to the forum. My Basenji is Rudy. He is 5 months old and pulls almost during our entire walk. Everything seems to excite him, people, other dogs, cats, rabbits, pieces of paper etc. So far I have tried a choke chain which I hate and the gentle leader which he hates but doesn't pull as much. Will try some of your suggestions.
Jerome
Hello everyone. I am new to the forum. My Basenji is Rudy. He is 5 months old and pulls almost during our entire walk. Everything seems to excite him, people, other dogs, cats, rabbits, pieces of paper etc. So far I have tried a choke chain which I hate and the gentle leader which he hates but doesn't pull as much. Will try some of your suggestions.
Jerome
Have you taken him to puppy training? And have you discussed with his breeder?
I would try the harness. I would also try taking him to places that are open with fewer distractions. Try short periods and then reward him for doing well. Get into the habit of stopping and staying put when he pulls and then rewarding him he does not.
Like any training it takes time…
Thanks. I will give it a try.
Jerome
I did take him to puppy class and he seemed better for a while. We are going to another class soon and I hope that helps. At this point I am willing to try whatever.
Jerome
Malaika is improving on the lead but we realy have to work at it and be almost 100% focused on her.
At class we have been taught to hold the lead in the right hand and walk the dog on the left. I still have to have food in my left hand and reward her periodicaly when she walks on a loose lead.
If she doesnt respond to food i resort to turning around everytime the lead goes tight, she doesn't like this (neither do i, but it seems to work)
Sometimes we think we've cracked it and other days she's rubbish 
learn to run?????
i walk our two basenjis at once. want to talk about pulling. lol
some days are better than others. depends on how many SQUIRRELS are out. and if other people are walking their dogs.
usually they are pretty good… until a leaf, walmart sack, bird, cat, squrrel runs in front of us. my sister asked if i ever had any fun walking them. i think they are GREAT fun.i get a GREAT work out.
My Basenji Benji walks me every day, he usually pulls and is very eager to get to the park we go to, then for the walk home he's calmed down and more reserve.
In my mind I've convinced myself that when we first leave the house we are going "hunting", but after a failed attempt we stroll home casually and modestly.
Basenji's are so crazy. 
What the puppy trainer taught me (and it's worked for me) is when she pulls I simply stop walking, and then wait until I can get her attention by saying her name once or she will look back to see why I've stopped walking. Tap your pant leg and call her back and when she gets to you praise her. She often walks in front of me and the trainer told me that should be acceptable (it has nothing to do with dominance) as long as she isn't pulling and I decide when/where we go.
