Skip to content
Basenji Forums
  1. Home
  2. Basenji Talk
  3. Kismet learned to lay down!

Kismet learned to lay down!

Basenji Talk
  • E

    It took all of the training class. And many unsuccessful attempts… but my baby finally learned to lay down! LOL During the lesson she'd put her head down, throw her front paw at me, and dance around the idea of laying down. We had to try a few different ways of urging her to the position (holding the behind down and finally bringing the treat under my leg while I was sitting down). Ofcourse she only does it once or twice then I'm forced to do the tricky learning process all over again to remind her what to do. I'm just so proud of her! Now if only she'd act like she wanted to come to me from a distance while I had yummy treats for her...

    1
  • Shaye's MomS

    I think sometimes they resist the idea of going "down" for us. Although Shaye learned the lesson very well, she still sort of throws herself down from a sit position, with her paws slamming the floor as if to say "Oh for Heaven's sake this is so unnecessary!" when asked to lay down.

    0
  • lvossL

    I find down to be one of the hardest things for my basenjis in class. What I have taken to doing in order to increase the chance of my puppies offering a down in class is when I see them laying down around the house I feed them. Once they start to realize that down is a position that pays, it seems to make much more sense to them to offer the behavior. If they stand up the food goes away.

    0
  • agilebasenjiA

    Many sighthounds will resist downing on a hard/cold surface. You may want to teach her "down" on a basenji-approved surface (a nice mat for example) first. I find that a bit easier.

    0
  • KipawaK

    Ellusionz, congratulations on your success. Now, just continue to build on it. I have yet to get Kipawa to do "down". Ivoss, I am going to try what you've suggestion. I can get Kipawa to do sit/stay (though the stay does not allow me to move away from him yet).

    Fran Harder, BAB

    With Barney in my heart

    0
  • G

    i had sucess teaching my boy down by putting him in a sit having a treat in my hand right in front of his nose. I then moved my hand down to the floor and slightly away so his natural inclination is stretch out and down for the treat. Once in the down position I would say the word "down" and give him the treat. It only took me 2 or 3 times for my boy to learn what I wanted him to do. I then progress to no treat and just the word down. 9yrs later he still does this command sucessfully.

    0
  • E

    Graduation photo! We did the last day test and she passed with ease (luckily they didn't ask us to do the "leave it" command or it would have taken a while LOL). She's so photogenic when she wants to be tho!
    attachment_p_131157_0_obedience-4.jpg

    0
  • BasenjimammaB

    Congratulations..:)

    Petra and Pippin

    with Otis in my heart…

    0
  • Shaye's MomS

    Congratulations! She is beautiful and looks very proud of her success.

    0
  • LindaHL

    When Maxx was going to puppy kindergarten, he'd down just fine at home on the carpet, but I had problems with him doing the down in class because it was held at night outside on cold grass! I took to bringing a towel along for him to do his downs on.

    LindaH

    Owned by:

    Blaze the Basenji

    Gracie the Brussels Griffon

    Maxx's Memorial Blog

    0
  • KipawaK

    Well done to the both of you - congratulations! Are you going to continue with further obedience classes? Where we are going, there are different levels.

    Fran Harder, BAB

    With Barney in my heart

    0
  • P

    Many congratulations - you have obviously worked hard with him.

    0
  • E

    There's an intermediate class but it's full right now. If I'm able to get the days off I'm going to try for it later.

    0

Suggested Topics

  • M

    helping my 5 month old baby to learn to be alone

    Basenji Talk
    6
    0 Votes
    6 Posts
    686 Views
    eeeefarmE
    Agree with @elbrant and I'd like to add, when you return be very matter of fact, do not make a big fuss, particularly if she is excited and effusive in her greeting to you. Sure, acknowledge her if you must but don't make any sort of big deal out of it. Go about your business, e.g. if you've been shopping, put your things away before spending any time with her. Your goal is to make your absence just part of a normal routine, nothing to be excited about. I've had two separation anxiety dogs, and you know you have won the battle when the dog just glances at you in an "oh, you're back" way and doesn't bother getting off the couch! Yes, people like it when their dog greets them and makes a big fuss, but if you feed that behaviour you give too much emphasis to your absence and that can grow into anxiety in your dog.
  • A

    Learning not to pull

    Basenji Talk
    22
    0 Votes
    22 Posts
    6k Views
    eeeefarmE
    I like wide martingale collars. They can't back out of them and the collar gives you more control without risking damage to the neck if they do pull. Look for Whippet or Greyhound collars. The one I used is three inches wide and tapers to the back. But bottom line, the reason dogs pull is that it is rewarding to them......they get closer to whatever is attracting them. So stopping until the leash is slack will work (if you have patience), changing direction every time the leash tightens will work, targetting will work. Many roads lead to Rome. You can experiment and find out what works best for you, but it isn't good to let the dog reinforce the habit, which is what makes it difficult to sort this problem out when you also need to give him exercise! One solution is to give him exercise with one harness or collar and practice your loose leash walking with another, until he "gets it". IMO, retractable leads teach the dog to pull. They are also dangerous. Ask a vet. They treat many "hit by car" injuries suffered by dogs that were on a retractable when the owner didn't react quickly enough. There is also the potential for injury when the dog wraps the leash around a person or another dog. And in many places they are illegal, i.e. the leash laws specify 6 foot maximum leash length.
  • MothM

    Things I have learned from/since getting my Basenji…

    Basenji Talk
    20
    0 Votes
    20 Posts
    7k Views
    krunzerK
    I thought hydraneas were poisonous to dogs?
  • BarklessdogB

    Our dog has learned how to escape from her crate!

    Basenji Talk
    5
    0 Votes
    5 Posts
    1k Views
    P
    My old bitch is totally averse to being crated on her own. As a young adult when I was trying to insist that she go in on her own (after trying every method) I cruelly put a padlock on her crate. I left her a little while in the living room and was amazed to hear her scratching on the door. When I went in I was I found the padlock still intact on the crate. She must have pushed down one end and clambered through the gap!!!
  • W

    Ever seen a B that "learned" to bark?

    Basenji Talk
    23
    0 Votes
    23 Posts
    13k Views
    nala121498N
    Me too. We had a Siberian Husky mix growing up in NJ and she always sang with the noon or the fire whistle. I hope you hear the sweet sounds of Cooper singing soon…
  • M

    Lesson learned…

    Basenji Talk
    25
    0 Votes
    25 Posts
    8k Views
    SchouiffyS
    Omg birdseed in the carpet for years!! that's just so excellent. =) Lycia never destroys things at home. Never. We have visited other's houses - she has been good. Then we stay at a new friend's place for 4 days and she manages to eat a pair of high heels, tupperware, 2 brushes, trash etc.. of course doing it to the roommates of my friend who I literally met that week… thank god they were forgiving, I was mortified.