@skookum9:
Tanza, I have to ask about when you say, "And if you do catch them in the act… a very, very loud "NO" with a hand clap". If I say anything to my girl in any sort of a loud voice I can almost always bet that she will repay me with her opinion, in one form or another. Since raising a basenji I have had to relearn how to speak to a dog. I have found that the more soft and calm my voice is, the more effective the results will be. My question I am asking you is if this is something that you or others have also noticed about basenji's or have I just got an overly sensitive girl? In my recollection of my parents basenji, I think this was also true. Perhaps my voice and hand clap are just too loud. This was exactly how I used to handle my brittany's but it hasn't worked at all with my basenji. Would love to hear your thoughts on this.
I have never had that problem with any of mine, so I would maybe think you have a overly sensitive girl or maybe one that was not socialized to noise at a young age. And honestly when catching them in the act of a bad behavior, the most important thing is to startle them…. and get their attention immediately so they know that this was an unacceptable behavior. Was your girl well socialized by the breeder?... My pups are totally socialized to many different noises as babies and young puppies. Pots and Pans being dropped, things that clang, popping noises, all household noises. They are used to it, so that a loud hand clap along with a stern NO only startles them for the moment, gets their attention so that the behavior can be redirected. And believe me I have a very loud voice!!!
Not sure what you mean by "repay" you?