Skip to content
Basenji Forums
  1. Home
  2. Basenji Training
  3. Heeling

Heeling

Basenji Training
  • I

    Hello,
    I have been reading a lot of different techiques to train a basenji to walk 'properly' on the lead, to heel instead of pulling, I am confused and I do not want to get my puppy confused trying different ways everyday.

    Does anyone have a video link where I could SEE exactly what to do and show step by step how to train the basenji, for example what to do when the puppy forges ahead, I just stop and wait until she stops pulling around my perimeter, obviuosly not pulling back, but I have so many doubts about what to really do! I would love to watch a video of how you did that worked well and all the stages you have to go through to get your basenji used to walking with you.

    I tried searching on Youtube, but all that is shown is how to train an 'already trained' dog…:(

    Thanks!

    0
  • KipawaK

    Kipawa does pull at times, and what you say you do (stop and wait until doggie stops pulling) does work for us. You can also incorporate one step back after you have stopped. Also, are you using a martingale style collar? When we started using one, Kipawa's heeling became much improved.

    Although I didn't find any videos with basenjis heeling, I did find a number when I searched using 'heeling puppy'.

    Fran Harder, BAB

    With Barney in my heart

    0
  • KipawaK

    Not sure if you have searched the forum, but under 'heel' there are a number of threads. This one is quite good.

    http://www.basenjiforums.com/showthread.php?t=9134&highlight=heel

    Fran Harder, BAB

    With Barney in my heart

    0
  • I

    @Kipawa:

    Not sure if you have searched the forum, but under 'heel' there are a number of threads. This one is quite good.

    http://www.basenjiforums.com/showthread.php?t=9134&highlight=heel

    Thank you, I will try to apply the advice given on that post. Yes, I use Martingale collar (6ft) and treats. I am now trying to do as I read on a basenji book, when she is walking by me, not pulling, I give her a reward and I say 'Yes! Good dog" at the same time, but that works at the beginning, soon after she does not show any interest in the treat, she is much more interested in whatever is around, and then she starts pulling.

    0
  • P

    When training I use everyday treats and also special treats (something that smells especially appealing). Use the special treats when she stops pulling and give her lots of what I call 'silly voice' praise. Make sure that every time she pulls you stop (or take a step backwards (don't turn round). It may be that your walk doesn't progress very far at first if you consistently have to stop but persevere. She will learn that she goes further when she walks beside you.

    This has always worked for me but I do find that for some of mine it has been a long slow job!

    You may not get brilliant results at first - just remember to be consistent and patient.

    0
  • I

    Thank you for the suggestions, I will use the same techinques, hopefully with consistency and lots of patience it will get better…hopefully!

    0
  • I

    Thank you for your advice, it seems that it is working!!! I hope it continues that way, she pulls just a little bit now and it is getting much better. Thank you very much.

    0
  • KipawaK

    @IMANI:

    Thank you for your advice, it seems that it is working!!! I hope it continues that way, she pulls just a little bit now and it is getting much better. Thank you very much.

    Well done!

    Fran Harder, BAB

    With Barney in my heart

    0

Suggested Topics

  • eeeefarmE

    Know when to walk away....

    Basenji Training
    3
    1 Votes
    3 Posts
    599 Views
    elbrantE
    Let's also consider that when you chase your dog, the dog thinks it's a game and will run away from you. Like... "you can't catch me!" Man, Basenji's can bolt! On the other hand, when you are the one running away, the dog instinctively joins you because you are part of the dog's family/pack. This is not to be confused with a learned command to chase an assailant, in Police work, for example. That would be a totally different game of chase.
  • eeeefarmE

    Learning from nature

    Basenji Training
    3
    5 Votes
    3 Posts
    474 Views
    tanzaT
    @eeeefarm - Totally agree with both of you, while I don't do the "restrain the pup", but if it works great and in a pinch it does work for me if really needed. When we have pups (babies) and Mom is tired of them and puts herself in a position that they can't reach her, they turn to the next adult in the house.... same thing will happen if they get over excited and yes, I have seen Basenji Moms, pin the pup to the ground and/or other adults in the home.... so it is something that a pup understands. Walking away works for me... or I try to change up the "game" by turning to working their minds and getting them to think about other things. In the Basenji Breed this is another way of teaching them that the prior behavior is not acceptable. They learn pretty quickly. Thanks for posting this thread eeeefarm... well needed...
  • F

    Puppy teething/biting

    Basenji Training
    18
    0 Votes
    18 Posts
    2k Views
    tanzaT
    @zande - I have place pups at 9wks, but typically to prior Basenji owners, they know the "ropes"... also I do eyes at 9wks, so 10 works better for me in placing pups and yes...(LOL) mine are raised in the home, no kennel.... and the breeders that I know that use kennel runs, still have their pups in the house for house time and "education".....
  • sanjibasenjiS

    Hunting Dog Training

    Basenji Training
    17
    0 Votes
    17 Posts
    2k Views
    sanjibasenjiS
    @sanjibasenji Looks like you said that difference in your second post, so we are on the same page.
  • italeighaI

    The Art of Basenjis in the Rain

    Basenji Training
    48
    3 Votes
    48 Posts
    6k Views
    KembeK
    @binkobongo said in The Art of Basenjis in the Rain: ….. I usually have to bring an umbrella and hold it over her (meaning I get soaked) @binkobongo What we do for our basenjis!😆🥰🐾❤️
  • agilebasenjiA

    Recall, heeling, stay work, Premack

    Basenji Training
    5
    0 Votes
    5 Posts
    3k Views
    agilebasenjiA
    @wizard: "Rewarding bad behavior" in order to achieve good behavior was one of the hardest to understand until I realized (was told) you are actually rewarding the dog refocusing on you even if only for a microsecond at first. I'm not sure that's exactly true. I think you are rewarding the dog and thereby changing the emotion of the circumstances. Read what I wrote here about dog growling at other dogs: http://www.basenjiforums.com/showthread.php?t=10968 As I wrote that, I'd been sort of 1/2 @$$ed doing what I said. When I wrote that, I decided to kick it up a notch and by george if I haven't noticed improved behavior. Even from my 13 year old, Jet the trying. (Of course he also just had his back adjusted, so he's probably feeling a little better which helps.) But with the LAT game, you do click for the dog looking at the object and then reward off to the side so that the dog must turn his head to get the reward. So the dog does have to sort of re-orient to the handler. (If the dog won't/can reorient, the dog is probably over thresh hold and you must move the dog farther from the stimuli. All of that is covered in the CU book.) Zest is great at the LATdog game however once when I was using her for a demo dog, she refused to LAT the rat terrier in class. The only thing I could think of was that normally I played LAT with dogs bigger than she is, so she didn't realize that smaller dogs are dogs too.