Skip to content

Can't help but love me!

Basenji Talk

Suggested Topics

  • Can you help with Woody part 2?

    Basenji Talk
    14
    2 Votes
    14 Posts
    2k Views
    PawlaP
    It is the owner who needs to make the adjustments necessary to obtain a desired behavior. Sometimes it is hard to figure out the "work around" and, it is incredibly easy for an owner to unintentionally reward an unwanted behavior. You can't be "sloppy" with a basenji - they train us well! I adopted my b-boy about 3 year ago. He wants to decide which direction we walk. Sometimes, that's okay with me, other times it is not. He puts on the brakes and refuses to budge. At first I dragged him a bit. Not good. Treats don't work. Then, I tried giving a quick jerk/release. Not good. (If you try this, please be careful not to cause damage to your dog's neck!) What works for me is I just wait for him to realize I'm not going to give in (this takes A LOT of patience). Sometimes, while I'm waiting for him, I talk to him about why I want to go in a specific direction and tell him what's in it for him... people walking by think I am absolutely bonkers trying to verbally reason with a dog, but it works for us. Sometimes, he completely refuses to budge, so I pick him up and carry him for a bit. Usually, when put him on his feet, he will walk on. I noticed that if I walk to get behind him, he takes a step forward and once he makes that first step, he's more likely to move forward, When he does, I praise him like crazy. Sometimes, especially in dim light, he will stop, stare, hackle and refuse to move forward - at those times, we simply turn around and walk in the other direction because I trust that he sees or smells something that he finds dangerous. One thing I consistently do that might help Woody is I always feed my b when we get home after we walk. That way, he has something to look forward to (i.e., going home is good!) I'm sorry Woody is taking so long to warm up to your brother. Maybe your brother needs to work with Woody on some very simple command like sit, or look at me, giving her high value treats or her dinner when she obeys. That way, she may begin to see him as more of a leader and provider of treats than someone who scares her. It needs to be brief, daily consistent to sink in. Patience. You might have to let your brother be the sole source of all good things (like treats and food) and only if she makes a step toward him. A trainer once advised my neighbor to smear peanut butter on her husband's arm in an attempt to get their new rescue to like her husband better. It didn't work. I'm so glad to hear you see a difference for the good and that you are learning as much as she is. Yay! Please keep us posted on what works. Maybe you can help me with my stubborn b.
  • It's raining.. it's pouring.. my lovely morning.

    Basenji Talk
    6
    0 Votes
    6 Posts
    2k Views
    S
    Lol, they are major heat slugs when it cold/wet aren't they!?
  • 'It's a race-dog!'

    Basenji Talk
    10
    0 Votes
    10 Posts
    2k Views
    JannekeJ
    @Schouiffy: Hehe. I know… Well I don't live very close to Bern at all - but YES!! Thank you for owning the Italians last night. :) !! Orange is such a nice colour. =) Orange is a great colour ;)
  • If I didn't love her so much!

    Basenji Talk
    15
    0 Votes
    15 Posts
    5k Views
    K
    That sounds good! I am working with the positive reinforcement, and for the most part it works, just in that instance she goes "deaf". I also "clicker" train Callie, and she loves that!
  • I don't own a basenji, but I'm looking for info…

    Basenji Talk
    17
    0 Votes
    17 Posts
    6k Views
    L
    Oh WOW, you guys are sooooo helpful. Thanks DDS for the link, that was especially helpful. I'm just intrigued with this breed for some reason, and I'm not sure why. Reading what all of you have to say is better that the typical things that you read on the computer. They all just repeat the same thing over and over where as all of you can give me personal experiances. I know all puppies are a lot of hard work, but compared to other dog (which I see some of you have had other breeds) are they actually a lot tougher? All pups like to chew and get into trouble but are they especially hard to train. Lets say with housebreaking and such? Oh and for all of you that have cats too, do they stay out of the kitty box or are the prone to make there way there, if you catch what I'm saying. I read they they are very clean and often times will clean themselves like a cat does. Really? And they are aloof like cats? Soooo much info and I would rather hear all of this from you than get false info. HELP!!
  • I Ain't Goin' Out

    Basenji Talk
    11
    0 Votes
    11 Posts
    5k Views
    youngandtiredY
    I live in North Carolina, right on the coast and we have hot, hot, humid summers. Sahara loves to sit on the back steps and lay in the sun, but only after I have frozen her with AC, haha! She hates the cold, when I got her it was still cool nights here and I had a time getting her potty trained b/c she just hated the cold weather. I could not find any dog sweaters to fit her, she was only 8 wks. old, the stores were out of them, so I got smart one night and made her one from the arm of one of my husbands hunting thermal underware. She was much happier then once I got it on her, she hated me putting that thing around her neck and legs. I have her sweaters now, got them 75% off this summer. She hates the rain also, but she has on great ocassion gone on her own to potty while it was downpouring, wonders of wonders, most of the time I have to put a leash on her and pull her outside when it is raining, she will go, but not unless I keep saying, "Go Potty, Sahara". She runs like a mad dog back through her doggie door. Can't wait to see what she does if we have snow this winter, should be interesting.