@beth314 - I think the issue with a Basenji doing Earthdog is that those dogs go underground to seek their prey.... (as in for trials they make tunnels and the prey is in cages at the end).... and that is not an activity that Basenjis really do. They might try to get to the prey by digging on the top of the ground, but going underground I don't think so.

I once saw a basenji clicker trained to scratch at the proper grade sand paper that was glued to a board. The basenji even curled his paw so the pads were not injured. This kept the nails perfectly trimmed. Perhaps the scratching/digging behavior could be re-directed into the more productive behavior and nail clipping would never be an issue!

@eeeefarm said in Rogue is biting.:

His mother would likely pin him down and growl in his face. Be like Mom. Let him know it is unacceptable.

Growling is often a very effective way of getting something across - especially to a very young puppy.

Hey. I have my first Basenji and the diggs crate is great but I must admit it is heavy and bulky to take up and down the stairs. I had to buy an additional crate for travel because it was becoming too much. If you were looking for something to travel with I definitely wouldn’t recommend it especially because it is expensive. My puppy loves it though since he can see everything from it but you could get that from another crate.

First, the pic of her in the too big (for now) vest is adorable!!

@roguecoyote said in My dog snuck out the front door off leash tonight.:

but I'm aware that extra weight isn't good for the breed,

I think that the issue with the added weight is related to her age. Once she is fully grown (12-18 months?) she should be able to carry some supplies: a baggy of kibble, a typical water bottle.... Things you might want on hand if you were going to go for a hike in the woods. Just let her grow up a bit first so that her muscles and bones are strong enough.

@eeeefarm said in Crate Training Struggles:

What about something like this?

A cabin hook on a spring ? yes, that could well do the trick. I will google one forthwith - thank you !

Yay!!! 👊😊👍

@eeeefarm said in Logan & Monkey Training Journey:

One other interpretation of this is that he understood the hand command but wasn't sure of the verbal command. ... If you want to be sure your dog understands your verbal command, a neat trick is to use either another person or a mirror, and give the verbal command from a position where your dog cannot see you.

I really enjoy your feedback. 😁

@elbrant I hope it will arrive today and I will let you know of its success or otherwise. We will try it out immejutely it arrives.

Mku slept with me last night. He slept like a log. I didn't, but at least it gave Paul a rest.

The diffuser is supposed to diffuse comforting pheronomes. I like the idea of changing it to encourage eating etc. You could be onto a winner there !

@sandy-hovis said in When your Basenji plants its feet:

@hamtaro you better “nip that in the bud”, the biting gets worse if you do not stand firm. Biting is not acceptable...trust me....it might be up setting now, but an older dog is worse. Get you training in now to prevent problems later.

Wouldn’t my dog already be older at 6 years? Or do you mean when he reaches 9-10 years?

@tanza he isn't in a crate with any other dog. He hasn't gone in the house or on furniture in months. As I said I am pretty sure he marking his territory. He didn't do it anymore once he he figured out that she was going to be there every day.

^^^^^ I agree! The idea will be to reconfigure what the expectation is when you’re taking your dog for a walk. It will take training and I strongly suggest the use of a martingale collar or slip lead when working this behavior because it will send an additional, automatic, and silent message to the dog that will make a treat and voice command that much more effective in the long run.

When you start you’ll have to keep a very short leash so that he learns what the expectation is. You want him trotting at your side, focused on you, not scanning the horizon for potentially poisonous yummies or the next thing to sniff. Eventually (probably far in the future) you might be able to loosen the leash and give him a little more room, but don’t change the expectation! Walks are about being focused on you. When it’s appropriate you can give him ‘sniff breaks’ where you can completely loosen the leash and let him sniff around to his heart’s content. Then when the walk starts up again, his attention must return to you.

And yes it is possible with a basenji (it’s possible with any dog, and making excuses based on breed, which I unfortunately hear from way too many people, achieves absolutely nothing but a miserable owner and a miserable and possibly dead dog) because I’ve done it with mine and it’s made our walks far more enjoyable. I wish you the best of luck!

@giza1 said in How to introduce a 2 year old to a dog park:

A dog park sounds great, but in reality...

I think this largely depends on (both) the owners and dogs that are there. Many people are responsible and just want their dogs to have fun. Plenty of people aren't. Get to know who goes there and you can avoid many of the problems that give "dog parks" a bad name.

The first time I took doodle, she started shaking -- too many dogs and she was the "new" one. So we left. I took her back when it was empty and allowed her to roam the area, smell, and get a feel for it. Then she understood. Lots of different dog smells. This wasn't anyone's yard or territory -- it clicked. The next time we went there were just a couple of dogs and her reaction was totally different. She loved it! And still does!

Are there "bad dogs" there? Some, but in general this has been a very positive socializing treat for doodle. We don't go every day, but 3-4 trips a month seems like a good balance (to keep it fun and not let her think she's in charge there).

I always try to make sure doodle gets to do something special. A (really long) walk, off-leash time in the woods, the dog park, or down to the water (we live near the ocean)... something random so she never really knows what's going to happen, even if it's a day when we just chill.

Well done, Doodle !

Thank you for all the input. Rocky has finally made friends with my son. He actually shaved his beard off and is just now spending some playtime with him

@malik said in Any leash training tips?:

so she isn't able to sniff around where I can't see.

Honestly, "doodle's" nose is becoming legendary. I'll think she's smelling the bush (or urine on it) and she'll come out with a bagel in her mouth! (yes, this actually happened!) I have learned that she can find all manner of things that are clearly obvious to her nose and undetectable to my eyes. If your pup is intent on what she's smelling, there's a reason for it.

Have you tried purchasing a coat for little Nimbus? My little Basenji girl had the same issue when we first rescued her so I purchased a coat for her which helped her to feel less intimidated with the weather. Best wishes!

Thank you so much!! I really appreciate the advice 🙂

@malik said in How do we get our puppy Basenji to stop pooping in the Kitchen and Bathroom?:

Puppies can't hold it long, so if they pee inside, it's really not the puppies fault but the owners. It's our job to anticipate when they might need to potty, and take them outside.

Absolutely! And they learn very quickly if there is consistency in taking them outside. My girl Tamu learned in less than two weeks, and she was very young when we got her (7 weeks, which is not recommended, but my 7 year old girl, Lady, pretty much adopted her and taught her manners).