Skip to content

Know when to walk away....

Basenji Training
  • ....know when to run! As mentioned by a member previously on this forum, running stimulates the dog to chase and follow. It is useful in police work where you want the dog to chase and hopefully bring down a subject. Malinois and GSD's are typically the breeds of choice for this activity. I don't see a lot of sight hounds in police work, although they are very quick and definitely like to chase moving objects. The thing of it is, they aren't normally aggressive with humans. Wouldn't know what to do with the subject once they caught him.

    But there is another reason for running that some might find useful. It can work very nicely to sharpen up a recall. With a dog that doesn't like to be left alone, running away after you summon the dog can help in changing a lackadaisical recall into a speedy one. I have used this technique with Basenjis and other non aggressive breeds, including a Greyhound. But you do have to know your breed and your dog, and it could produce an unwanted result with some dogs, which is why caution is advised until you see what kind of response you get.

    It's also a neat way to put a "Border Collie" drop on recall on an otherwise not so responsive dog. Run away calling your dog, and when he is close spin around and drop him. (obviously he must already know the command). I've managed to get an otherwise lazy dog to really hit the ground by doing this. But we are far away from what you are likely to be doing with the average Basenji unless you are into obedience.

    The more you know your dog the better you can put training tips to good use. I've never attended a clinic where I didn't learn something, even if it was what not to do! And I like to listen to experienced people. Often you will find a little gem of an idea that happens to be just the thing to get that little extra in your relationship with your dog. The trick is to separate good advice from advice that might not be appropriate for your dog or your breed.

    Some of my trainees, back in the day....
    01tipluckylady.jpg

  • @eeeefarm Good points. My own experience... When I went to Medfly (Karen's) to look at Basenjis I had my wife and son with me. Karen would bring out a dog and I would size them up. Would they look at me, would the come up to me, acknowledge me, kiss me, etc. I was looking for aggression.

    When she brought Jengo out the second time, I loved what I was seeing, so I asked my son (maybe 9 at the time) to run across the yard. I wanted to see if Jengo would run, show aggression... didn't actually know.

    Jengo ran with him, but never chased, jumped or nipped. EXACTLY what I was looking for. They ended up at a chain link fence with their backs to me looking at a horse in a pasture. I placed my hand on Jengo's back right up against his tail ready to recoil fast. He glanced back and went back to the horse. That's the second I knew I was screwed. I didn't want a Basenji, but this one was perfect. The rest is history.

    Most of the time if I run with mine in the backyard, they just look at me like "What are you doing, Monkey?" They sit there. I've just not had to deal with a chasing issue. Except for squirrels, goats, and dogs. Mostly squirrels.

    I miss my Aussie/Border Collie mix.

  • Let's also consider that when you chase your dog, the dog thinks it's a game and will run away from you. Like... "you can't catch me!" Man, Basenji's can bolt! On the other hand, when you are the one running away, the dog instinctively joins you because you are part of the dog's family/pack. This is not to be confused with a learned command to chase an assailant, in Police work, for example. That would be a totally different game of chase.

Suggested Topics

  • Does anyone know this e-book on training?

    Basenji Training
    2
    0 Votes
    2 Posts
    3k Views
    eeeefarmE
    Their web site has links to e books for pretty much any breed you can name, and the description of the book is identical (except for the breed name) for all of them. I am guessing not worth the money. http://www.obedient-dog.net/breed-training-ebooks/
  • Walking Basenji

    Basenji Training
    13
    0 Votes
    13 Posts
    6k Views
    mustBcrazyM
    i walk the lab and isis at the same time one on hand and one on the other, the lab seem to have a major drive to sniff out anything and track blindly and of course isis will be doing the same, the b is easier to control cause she lighter but the m1 tank of the lab well.. we've came across little furry friends on our nitely walks i need to stay very focus on my surroundings, one thing the b does if theres someone walking behind us doesnt matter how far , she walk ahead stop and turn to look back, she'll keep doing this repeatedly like she warning me these something there,im sure its instinct on her end to,of course i confirm whats shes doing but yeah those b's dont miss a trick
  • Walking tips for Duna.

    Basenji Training
    23
    0 Votes
    23 Posts
    8k Views
    Kalima62K
    I think mommies and daddys all, would not like to see their fur babes with a harness or gentle lead that makes them unhappy…but i think its just a way we feel for our loves, surely they get used to it in the end if it's introduced to them positivly ( gosh my spelling!!!!:mad:) I my self like you basenjimamma, is hesitating hoping that Duna will all at once behave during city walks....I'll give her some more time before i order the gentle leader...but it will only be in "extremis" when i'll really realize that i need to try an other method for her.:D Maybe the result will be so positive ( as read on this forum) that i'll think to myself: " Shucks!!! Why didn't i decide earlier???" Instead of looking like an isterick jerk, correcting, talking and stopping and turning back with a dog on the lead???:rolleyes:
  • Running away from the Escapee…

    Basenji Training
    5
    0 Votes
    5 Posts
    2k Views
    renaultf1R
    @Tayda_Lenny: Lenny actually escaped from a fenced yard yesteday for the first time… scared me to DEATH. Once when I first got him ( he was about 15 weeks old) we were outside w/ leashes and the clip on his collar snapped and he was free. Instead of running after him, I got his attention (miracle) and ran as fast as I could away from him and into the house. He thought I was playing and chased after me. I did the same thing yesterday. He was out of the fence and running around sniffing things and when I got his attention (from about 100 feet away, I did a sort of "human play bow" and then sprinted into the yard. Luckily he chased after me. (Beat me into the yard too... the little monster) . WHEW! and then my heart started beating again. Anyway, just wanted to share that technique. It has worked for me the 2 times I've needed it. Get their attention, and then run in the other direction... I did the same thing with Ruby, the one time she got free when I was walking her and I fell. Worked like a charm :D. It always feels good to outsmart her :D.
  • We Can Now Walk Like Normal

    Basenji Training
    12
    0 Votes
    12 Posts
    4k Views
    JazzysMomJ
    but I was concerned that too many treats was not good. Depends on what you use for treats. The treats should be tiny – like pea size or smaller. Sometimes I use "Carry-Outs", which are soft and maybe an inch long; I get about 6 treats out of one of those. Or I use puppy kibble -- a different brand than what I feed Keoki -- one piece of kibble is the whole reward {ya gotta wonder why Gypsy -- 70 lbs-- would even care, but she responds very well to those tidbits!}. And I only give food treats as a reward for behavior, never just to give the dogs a treat. If I want to give them a treat because they are so darned cute, I give them chewies of some sort, or a peanut butter stuffed {okay, not stuffed but you know....} bone to work on. They do not get those type of things every day.
  • One way to know if they need to go out

    Basenji Training
    8
    0 Votes
    8 Posts
    5k Views
    BanditB
    Ahhhhh!! the Basenji sense of humour!!!