My B will not listen to me

[CarrieH]

How do you get your Basenji to listen? I've had my little girl for over a year since she was 8 weeks. She's very sweet and smart and knows commands but acts completely deaf sometimes. Anyone have any tips or tricks on how to get her to listen better?

[etzbseder]

You come up with tricks. Usually it is a treat that they like, sometimes a toy, and sometimes they just feel like listening. Try to (re)teach her with a clicker and then maybe she'll listen more. The only downsides are that you have to have a clicker nearby when you want her to listen consistently, and you may spend a tad more on treats. (depending on how much you give her now)

[lvoss]

Start hand feeding her at least one meal a day. If you raise you value to her, she will want to be where you are and find you when you call her. Clicker training is a wonderful tool and you do not need a clicker nearby to use what you have built through clicker training. The function of the clicker is to mark the behaviors you like, and you reward with a treat, toy, etc. The more you reward behavior that you like, the more the behavior will be offered.

I like using the clicker when working on recall work because I can use it to mark that instant that the dog makes the commitment to move toward me. Since they know the click means a treat is coming they usually hussle to get to me after hearing it. After the dog is responding pretty reliably to hearing their name, I start clicking for speed of response.

Consistently rewarding name response and building your value through hand feeding can work wonders.

[wizard]

I tried using the clicker but I think I couldn't get the hang of it. Then I took EL D to an obedience class - where he never did anything right in class but responded nearly perfectly at home Now I just use the simple treat method. I recently trained him to respond to a dog whistle using treats reserved for that and he comes to the whistle on the first blast (though I haven't yet tested it when he's chasing a squirrel).

[sharronhurlbut]

Make sure when you call her, you never scold her or punish her.
No matter how mad you are, if you call her and she comes, she gets a treat, a pet, or nice warm words.
I also use treats…once they think they will get a treat most of the time when called, they really do pay attention.

[agilebasenji]

you also have to increase you criteria slowly. if you can do a great recall of, say, 20 feet in your backyard, you can NOT expect to go to a park and do a reacall of 40 feet in the midst of squirrels, other dogs, etc. If you only practice "sit" in the kitchen, the dog honestly may not understand "sit" in the front yard. There are 3 D's in training criteria - distance, duration and distractions. be aware of what one you're working on and don't up the criteria of all 3 at one time.

[JazzysMom]

I'm sorry, but I had to chuckle when I first read the question, "How do your get your Basenji to listen?".

I mean, isn't THAT the $64,000 question?

[renaultf1]

@JazzysMom:

I'm sorry, but I had to chuckle when I first read the question, "How do your get your Basenji to listen?".

I mean, isn't THAT the $64,000 question?

Ha, ha, ha…yes it is!

[Andrew]

@JazzysMom:

I'm sorry, but I had to chuckle when I first read the question, "How do your get your Basenji to listen?".

I mean, isn't THAT the $64,000 question?

I have no idea what you're talking about… mine are great at listening!!! Its responding properly they sometimes have trouble with. :rolleyes:

[dmcarty]

My first basenji had a hearing defect. There was only one sound that she consistantly responded too - the toaster popping. So that wasn't too bad - at least it was something - I never could figure out how not to trip on the 50 ft extension cord though so I never used it in the ring.

As she got older - she would 'bait' in the ring but only for money - paper money and I swear she could 'read' the demoninations. Had to hide it from the judge though cause I couldn've gotten in bit trouble for that.

[renaultf1]

@dmcarty:

My first basenji had a hearing defect. There was only one sound that she consistantly responded too - the toaster popping. So that wasn't too bad - at least it was something - I never could figure out how not to trip on the 50 ft extension cord though so I never used it in the ring.

As she got older - she would 'bait' in the ring but only for money - paper money and I swear she could 'read' the demoninations. Had to hide it from the judge though cause I couldn've gotten in bit trouble for that.

Ha, ha, ha…that's classic...will 'bait' for money!
Yah, there are days I'd think Ruby was deaf except she always hears the "cheese drawer" open in the fridge!

[snorky998]

HAHAHAHA…. yes, listening and responding are 2 different things. There's 'I'm listening but not responding because I choose to do so', there's 'listening and I'm looking at you but I'm pretending you're speaking a foreign language', there's 'Im listening, but the treat you have is not good enough.'