@lvoss:
The other thing is that if you do other events where you will have other dogs, especially basenjis around, and there is down time, you can do some practice there. Like at a lure trial when you are waiting for your next run, you can find a quiet spot and practice gaiting with different dogs in front and behind.
Thanks! Thats a really good one!
We signed up to the coursings from the Basenji club (holland) so we can practise that soon 🙂
@Quercus:
Something that really worked for me with Querk, was teaching a "watch me"…it helped both of us focus, and calm down. I don't want him to do it in the ring, because it will mess up his topline, and neck...but we worked it a lot outside the ring, and sometimes in a large class when the judge wasn't looking at us. Focusing on the human, lets the dog know that they don't have to worry about anything else going on around him. I haven't needed to work it quite as much with Hippo, as he is pretty much focused on me when are at a show...and I have never had a bitch that needed to focus 😉
Watch me, they learned that at puppy class. It's one of the best commands I use. We don't use it too often because they know that when we use it it's serious.
I use it sometimes just before entering the ring, when they aren't too excited to get their full attention. that always helps at least a little bit!