@Patty:
What a Star! Such a clever boy. I only know one other Basenji who can fetch any named article!
I have had a couple, but Perry is the best! My girl Lady would bring me a bone on request (one of those processed white bones) and also her collar…...which she didn't like to pick up (esthetics, I think.....didn't like the feel in her mouth), but she would if I insisted. Funny story. I would send Lady to retrieve her bone from the basement. I had a treat at the ready as a reward. She would start down the stairs, get halfway down, then return to make sure I still had the treat for her. It usually took her 3 or 4 attempts to make it all the way to the basement and return with the bone! :)
Sunny had a fairly good repertoire as well. I started using "pick it up" with him, because I had read Chuck Eisenmann's book. I find "pick it up" a very useful command, as you can point to pretty much anything and invoke it. Naming the object moves you towards the goal of recognizing and bringing the items you desire. Anything that increases vocabulary and understanding improves communication with your dog, IMO. Since I discovered clicker training, I have really enjoyed using it, as it speeds things up greatly, and the dog soon learns that when the clicker appears it is time to start offering behaviours. :)
