Basenji Training

Not to put anything to rest (why would we?), but it seems every online discussion I have followed about e-collars (here and elsewhere) follows a fixed script: people who are against describe e-collars as cruel, no matter the particular application or dog; people who use them can argue all they want, but they are viewed as lazy at best, dumb and mean at worst. It's a pity. And as to eeeefarm: I really don't see how she is selling something here; she is describing her own experiences, assesses some of the research that has been done, and answers questions. Why it would matter how many posts that takes, is beyond me.

i did get some bitter apple…the thing works like a charm! I got her some toys as well and she does so much better now with knowing what to chew and what not to! its like night and day from 2-3 weeks ago....I rarely have to redirect her now...I tell you, these B's are smart!

@k1ng87: thanks guys! no parks for now until shes had all of her shots…should've asked before taking her as now I'm a little paranoid if she has contracted anything...if she has...when would symptoms show? Do they show fairly quickly, a couple days? That would of course depend on what she picked up. You are likely fine, I wouldn't stress about it. Just pay attention if her appetite is off or if you notice anything unusual in her behaviour, e.g. if she seems less lively than usual.

Remember that playing/biting is natural for puppies… that is how they interact with other canines... and/or littermates... do not interfere with them... puppies need to learn bounderies... with other adult dogs... they will work it out... I can never say enough that you can't tell people the noises you will here... from the pups or the adults... leave them alone and let them work it out.. Puppies are not stupid, but they will test and test.... but they will figure it out. As far as chewing things that are not for them.. you have to be on guard and stop the behavior and give them something that is acceptable... and it takes many, many, many times, they do not remember from one minute to the next... it is your responibility to be on top of the situation... it takes time and months at least until they pass the teething stage... Personally I have never used bitter apple.. but just watch the pup and redirect the behavior when I see it along with setting up the house to limit those items. And the older Doxie will teach the pup way more that you can... do NOT comfort the pup.. let them learn what is and is not acceptable

@lisastewart: Trog chewed on my ankles and wrists for a good nine month despite giving him as much play as I could to wear him out, Cara is extremely mouthy. She liked to hold my arm or hand in her mouth as she went to sleep, sometimes creepily rubbing her tongue against me. She has always done play biting but she has the softest mouth ever. It is rare for her to ever put enough pressure to make a indention even in her wildest playing. I am okay with that. I had one dog before her, a Rottie, who wanted to hold you. I didn't let on lead, but did while just sitting with her. But I'd look out to see Larry leading her down the road, him holding the leash, her holding his hand in her mouth. I figured her leading him was okay.

Yup, nothing fun happens until everybody's peed. Today she saw the old man go out on HER walk hour and was DISPLEASED. I agreed with her that it sure would be fun to go for a romp! I'm glad we're not the only dweebs who sing to our dogs. We've taken to improvising a life soundtrack to the tune of "Springtime for Hitler" that usually starts "____-time for Basenjis, ______". The past couple days it's been "Pottytime for basenjis, come on, go pee!" :D

Good Morning Debra, I do not feel as if have to defend why my HUGE dogs from the Dog Pound hated their crates. I still have an assortment of dog and cat crates from huge to small. Whenever my Basenji went to the Vet (which was often as she was a Cancer survivor and also had a seizure disorder which meant she had to take Phenobarbital 3x per day) of course she went in her crate. She didn't like it and complained until she fell asleep but she was in her crate. Big dogs from the Pound hate crates as it makes them feel extremely nervous as the crate is often like their cage in the Pound. Furthermore, it is not really safe to take a big dog that you don't know that well and put him in a crate; a great way to get bitten. I have had Malamutes, Rottweilers, Rough and Smooth Coated Collies, a Bull Mastiff and 2 Akitas. I know dogs. People call me when there is a Wolf or a nice dog that has been dumped by its owner and I usually end up rescuing it and finding a new home for him. I rarely get females for some reason. Regarding Amanda, she is the least famous person I know, I was not trying to impress anyone, I just included her as we rescue horses together and I got one of my Wolves from her. My Horse charity is a Charity. It is by Law and I am able to accept donations as I do what I say I do which is Rescue, Rehab, Re-Train and Re-Home horses. The rehab can take years and I have one 'Lifer' because she is so messed up health wise she will never have a saddle on her back because she weighs 950lbs and she should weigh 1100lbs. She has Gastric Ulcers from being drugged at the track. She is the 'Secretariat' great granddaughter. The Rescue is a 501©(3) Public Corporation and we pay taxes to the State and the Feds. That is why we are allowed to accept donations. I pay $1450.00 PER MONTH to BOARD the horses in the rescue. Donations have been down, clearly due to the economy but the horses get all they need including their joint supplements. Crate training is not something I find important for inside the house. In the car, yes! My big dogs have always ridden in their huge crates in the back of the car and fell asleep. We used to walk to the Vet. Antigone really hated being confined and let me know only the way a Basenji can, she shrieked just to let me know she was still the Alpha. I know how to use crates and I use them in the car but not in the house. My dogs and cats were all very long lived except for Howly so I think I can say I KNOW HOW TO KEEP THEM SAFE, HEALTHY, HAPPY, AND WELL. :) Antigone

That is why when I am asked I always include the caveat that the introduction to the collar (whether with invisible fence or remote training) be done carefully and correctly. It might interest you to know that I tried unsuccessfully to use invisible fence with Perry at the farm before I started using an e-collar, and I was unsuccessful because I was not comfortable with the level of correction…....way too high IMO for a sensitive dog! I have no doubt, given my subsequent experience using the remote collar with him, that he would have been one of those dogs who respected the fence, and the failure was entirely mine because I was reluctant to subject him to a high level correction when he didn't understand "why". With the e-collar, I made sure he understood the collar at a very low level (irritating but certainly not painful), and that he knew that the "consequences" were entirely under his control. I think I would be happier with an invisible fence that varied the level of correction in relation to distance from the fence, but that's another topic. I also would not advocate invisible fence for small dogs where the likelihood of trespass by a larger dog is high, since they are then at risk of being attacked "at home". I think the best use of the fence is as backup to a physical fence, to deter climbing or digging out. My views on remote collars for training are also a bit ambiguous, but I do love it for the ability to enforce an already familiar command at a distance. That is how I use mine, and I make no apology for a fleeting application of pain if it keeps my dog safe and under control. It's a trade off I can live with for the freedom I am able to grant him, and he seems to agree with me.

yea for C-Me!!! can't wait to see the babies.

We do prey-model raw and mostly feed indoors for a variety of reasons. Animals are fed in their own areas in the utility room. The cats very quickly learned that we strictly defend their food in their places, but if they try to carry it away, the dog(s) get to take it. Our older (non-basenji) dog was never given the option to eat anywhere else except by special circumstance. In the event he gets a bone he can't finish in one sitting, we bag it up and put it in the fridge or the dog food freezer for another time. We mostly feed softer bones, though, so they're generally consumed in no more than an hour or two. Hard weight-bearing bones are bad for teeth. Our nifty new basenji's first raw meal will be in the morning, her first bones later this week!

Crazysenji- same with Oakley, had to be a wire crate; oak never got used to his Vari-Kennel for the car…totally freaked!

@mattlick12 and others in the New York City area: consider joining the New York City Basenji Meetup. We hold monthly (good weather) gatherings at dog runs throughout Manhattan. We had some nice new additions last year and hope to have some in 2014 as well. See us online at: http://www.meetup.com/basenji-nyc/

Get the video Really Reliable Recall by Leslie Nelson. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VnLVm2GhQw

Polar Fleece is a better choice, I agree… or sturdy beds/mats for the crate... you really need to see how she does with bedding, none of my Basenjis were bedding killers. And the crate should be in the room where you sleep, next to your bed.... then you are right there to deal with any issues.

This is an UPDATED BRAG for Diva. Today, Nov. 9,2013 Diva was BEST IN FIELD for a 5 pt major at the IWAGS Lure Trial. Just two more for her Championship. Love this little spitfire of a dog ! Kathryn

But you put in the time and effort to MAKE a change. That's what good owners are about. :) You can also stuff a kong with a little peanut butter, or cream cheese or even canned food and put in freezer. Then the dog sitter has a long lasting treat to give him when putting him back in. :)

Their web site has links to e books for pretty much any breed you can name, and the description of the book is identical (except for the breed name) for all of them. I am guessing not worth the money. http://www.obedient-dog.net/breed-training-ebooks/