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Trainers in San Diego
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@ntasd said in Trainers in San Diego:
@jengosmonkey thanks for the response! Because she's so small we haven't ventured into people food too much.
Good point. Defiantly ask your breeder, but there are several people I'd trust here on this site. When I cooked the Tri Tip end for my dog I did so separately. No oil, seasoning, marinade, salt or pepper. Just naked meat on the grill. I do feed my adults raw meat for breakfast, but I needed the treats cooked for two reasons. One, I don't want raw meat all over my finger tips and then on everything I touch afterwards. Two, I want it to last for several days in the fridge. For my purpose, the cooked meat nibbles are treat. Not a meal. I might only give out 10 to 15 nibbles in a training session. But, listen to your breeder.
We read that frozen peanut butter was the golden crate training treat. Yeah, just spent the next day cleaning peanut butter off the sides of the crate. She just let it melt, then sat/laid on it and then spread it everywhere.
I'm sorry, but that's just funny as heck. I don't mean to laugh at you. I hope you're laughing with me. This is a part of your adventure you'll remember long after she's gone. But, cut her some slack. She's been on the planet for 9 weeks...
I think one of the other variables is that my wife and step daughter watch her too. I think they are unsure of how to deal with her and give up. Then she runs the roost until I come down from work. Which means that we have to relearn things nightly together. So in part, I hope the trainer can help train us in how to be a united front and give her the best growing experience possible.
But my secret weapon is that I'm more persistent than the waves. I'll keep at it. We'll get there.
I get where you're coming from now. Everyone is learning together real-time. It's going to take time. Sounds like you're a solid Alpha pack leader though. Better than being Omega!!! My son was 10 or 11 when we got our first Basenji. I had to be patient with him and model how to interact with the dog. How to play, relax, train, sleep together, feed, clean up. I recall training my son how to control his temper when Jengo devoured a third set of headphones that my son had to buy with his own money because the dog had eaten the previous two pair that had been left on his bedroom floor. Guess where the third pair was when Jengo found them? It's a journey, not a race. Pace yourself and enjoy that pup. I gotta tell ya... I'm a little jealous!
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@elbrant, thanks. I'll keep cheese in mind.
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I hear a lot about treats, not so much about observing what is going on, being consistent with your responses and reactions to what she does. A trainer can only do so much, and unless he or she is going to move in with you they can only suggest a course of action. It's always problematic when there are multiple people involved, and yes, you need some sort of united front and consistency. You still haven't been particularly specific about what is causing issues for you. Nine weeks is pretty early on in the game to be at an impasse were you are considering outside help. Your Jack Russell experience should inform you as to dealing with the puppy basics, so it leaves me scratching my head about what has become so difficult.
Sometimes an individual may be particularly difficult because of genetics, or environment as a pup, or whatever. Do you know what her experience has been up until you acquired her? Otherwise, best I can offer is that you need to be very observant and discover what works for your girl. Believe it or not, there was a time when dogs were trained without the use of food rewards, so if that is not "her thing" you may need to find other methods to motivate her.
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@eeeefarm I initially hesitated to post here, because like a lot of things on the internet, responses can seem judgmental.
I disagree with you. 9 weeks is early in the pups life, but by 16, you've really got to have things figured out. So I think I'm right on time to start thinking about bolstering my tactics if I'm not getting the desired outcomes.
You're right, a trainer isn't going to solve all my problems. But if there happened to be a good trainer in San Diego, I don't see how it could hurt. Do you?
Perhaps one useful thing that I would get out of it would be that a third party would help us come together on a united front and help all of us see the value of staying on the same page. Sometimes, people will listen more to an "expert" than they do to people they know, even if the advise is the same. Kind of like, when my wife says I've been eating to much cholesterol causing foods and I blow her off. Then my Dr. says if I don't stop, I'm going to die. I listen a little more.
I'm am in fact trying to find those things that work and to be fair to myself, I've found somethings that do. I also know that I don't know everything and that reading and listing to professionals can help. So I've order several books, read several that are available online, and I'm making the best effort I can to pick things up and create a warm, safe, and happy environment for my pup.
And, if I can find a trainer, that can help guide me, I'll use them. If not, I'll figure it out without them.
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@ntasd said in Trainers in San Diego:
@eeeefarm I initially hesitated to post here, because like a lot of things on the internet, responses can seem judgmental.
I disagree with you. 9 weeks is early in the pups life, but by 16, you've really got to have things figured out.
From your initial post I understood that you were dealing with a 9 week old pup, sorry if I misinterpreted. In any case, sure, a trainer can be useful and I hear you about family listening better to an outside voice. Trick is to find a trainer who is familiar with the breed and doesn't give you advice that exacerbates the problems. We get a lot of posts here from people having issues with pups or mature dogs, and you will get a variety of responses based on individual experience. I know what works for me, it may not work for you for all kinds of reasons. I find it is always useful to hear another point of view.
Bear in mind that Basenjis as a breed want to be with their people, and what you may interpret as anger or stubbornness may in reality be a scared pup who just wants to be close to someone. It's entirely possible that the pup will not understand a "time out" and only be confused and upset when separated from her "pack".
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@eeeefarm Thanks. I'll keep this in mind.
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@ntasd - reaching out to your breeder should be your first course? Your breeder should be your first course of contact?.....
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@tanza said in Trainers in San Diego:
contact?.....
Maybe I could be of help, there r specific ways to
Train a B ...I learned the hard way then found the method. Should u wish to chat let me know. I have a B and he was VERY difficult but is a jewel now . My other girl who lived to 19 years was not so difficult. Food is very important and can have a big effect on them. U can email me at my private email address I am in OC -
@ntasd said in Trainers in San Diego:
@donc thanks for the response! I'm hoping maybe I just haven't found the right treat. We've tried a few and most she won't even eat. There is one brand that she eats and that's the one we've been using for potty and other training. But it's just ok for her. She gets a couple small pieces or one big piece and she's content. End of participation!
We're in Der Mar Heights. You? In terms of the trainer location, we'll drive anywhere reasonable. You're right too. Toys are a giant flop! We've probably spent 100 bucks on toys and she couldn't careless. lol. But shoes. Oh the shoes. Those she loves. Loves them something special!
Also in the Del Mar Heights area. Makes it easier since I have more contacts in North County Coastal, less so in areas downtown. Let me get back to you with some suggestions.
Now that I think about it, I agree that 9 weeks is young for a lot of training. I'd say a minimum of 12 and more like 16 is when they are ready to start. At nine weeks the litter mates are running around learning how to bite each other. Not really ready to be learning commands. My advice is to relax, love her, and let her get a little older before worrying about training.
I suspect her age is also the reason why she isn't enticed by treats. She might not be ready for them. To test the theory, offer her some Espilac. If she turns into an eater then that is probably it. Like I said, I've never seen a Basenji who wasn't food driven. I've seen a few puppies that weren't but this was "solved" with age. Not saying they are all insanely food driven, just saying I've never known one who wasn't food driven to some extent. That's good because having something they want is necessary to get them to do what you want!
I think the only thing better than shoes for these guys when they are young are shoe laces. Walk into a room with a bunch of Basenji puppies with shoes with laces and you'll walk out with shredded laces. They are like mammalian piranha. LOL Laces survive ten seconds top.
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All a really good trainer will (should) do, is train YOU to train your dog. I am unclear why you think a trainer will be any help ? Its you the Basenji has to learn to live with - and you with her !
Patience, understanding, seeing the dog's point of view and having a sense of humour, all help.
She may well react to a trainer and learn to obey and conform, but as soon as you get her home, things will fall apart. You need to want to work WITH and not against your Basenji. Life with one is always a compromise -
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@donc Thanks again for the suggestions and if you do find someone, please let me know. I agree that starting now may be a little early. I'm searching now because I don't know how long it will take to find someone and then I don't know the schedule of the trainer, so I'm just trying to get organized so that I can be ready when she is.
I'll try the Esbilac and be more patient.
"I think the only thing better than shoes for these guys when they are young are shoe laces. Walk into a room with a bunch of Basenji puppies with shoes with laces and you'll walk out with shredded laces. They are like mammalian piranha. LOL Laces survive ten seconds top."
This is troof! I try to keep my shoes away from her, but when I walk into the room she's in and I have shoes - her eyes light up and wild horses couldn't drag her away!
This forum has been a little unkind to me - that's ok. I'm a nube to Bs and I guess everyone here is an expert, but I will give thanks to whoever posted the trick about rubbing Vapor Rub on your feet to stop the biting. The girls tried that last night and MAGIC! She took one whiff and in disgust snorted loudly and hasn't touched their feet since. 1 Challenge solved!
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@ntasd - Sorry if you have received some "not so nice" responses. But it would really help to understand how your pup was raised by the breeder, which is why I asked if you contacted the breeder. If these pups (your pup) was separated from Mom and the other littermates early (before at least 8wks) then they missed out on social time and learning behaviors.... were they raised in the house with people and access to the daily time with family (humans)... as at that time the humans act as other puppies and correct them when going off... They need human time and litter time.... if you want to look for a "trainer" go for a behaviorist...that will work with you, family and pup. I don't have any recommendations but you need to interview them and look for one that does understand hounds.
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Agree with tanza about the possibility (probability?) that your pup missed out on early socialization, which could be part of the issue. You mentioned earlier that you had had a Jack Russell. They can be difficult and stubborn, but are more "normal" dogs, and it's also hard to compare because even within breeds there is a lot of variation in how they respond to training. If you think some responses have been harsh, well, on internet forums people often say what they think without sugar coating and it may come off as insensitive. Believe me, it isn't meant that way on this forum. Members usually have the dog's welfare top of mind and may be blunt if they are concerned.
A caveat: trainers are not magic, some are better than others, and in the end although they can give direction it's your commitment that will make the difference with your dog. I have been involved with both dogs and horses for a long time, and have drawn conclusions from my own experience. Most of my own difficulties can be attributed to the person I see when I look in the mirror! We all make mistakes and I have found that I learn from other people all the time, never too old to find a new approach to a problem. So please take any and all advice as it is meant to be helpful. You may find some gems to keep and for sure you will find others to discard.
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The local breed club in southern California is the South Coast Basenji Fanciers. Contact them to see if they can recommend trainers or provide help. It's been awhile since I participated in any event they put on. They put on an occasional meet & greet and hold puppy matches (mostly for show practices) in north San Diego and Riverside counties. I live in RB. Here is a link to their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SoCalBasenjiFanciers/
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@senjisilly Lynn, you're the best!
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I have two recommendations for slightly different things.
For puppy socialization Kamp Kanine. For individual classes, which is what I think you're looking for, Getpawsitive. Both have been vetted and neither use negative training methods. (Interesting in that I didn't know they offered agility training, which can be a nice outlet when your little girl gets older).
Having said that, I still think you need to give her some time. At nine weeks you may be overwhelming her with too many demands. I wouldn't worry about having her set in her ways. Basenjis are life learners -- for good or for evil! LOL
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@donc, You sir, are a gentleman and a scholar. You also Rock! This will give me time to visit both and get a feel for how they do things.
Thanks!
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@NTASD Did you end up finding anyone in SD County to help with your little girl? We just rescued a 10-month old B mix and she is (as you say) kicking our butts... I feel like we need a trainer to train us!
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Jane Castell is a dog trainer (and possibly a behaviourist but not certain) and an experienced Basenji owner. She is based in Ireland but offers Zoom consultations.
https://www.imdt.uk.com/find-a-qualified-imdt-trainer/eire/dublin/jane-castell
