@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.
