Skip to content
Basenji Forums
  1. Home
  2. Behavioral Issues
  3. Walking Problems

Walking Problems

Behavioral Issues
  • I

    I am having problems putting on the harness to take my basenji's for a walk. They use to just put the harness on, but now refuse to do so. I am dreadfully scared of them getting away and don't like to pull on thier neck, so harness I have chosen.

    Should I get those jacket type harness' or do they escape from them?

    Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

    • TristA
    0
  • dashD

    I prefer the gentle leader. We had to have a trainer fit it on him, but it is wonderful and it is like a horse halter. They don't like it at first but you have so much more control.

    Jennifer

    0
  • S

    Does the harness pinch or rub them?
    I use a harness and my 2 b's come running to get them on.
    What type do you have?

    Sharron Hurlbut

    BRAT, basenji rescue

    Evergreen basenji club

    Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue

    0
  • I

    I am not sure what kind of harness I have and can't find a 'proper' name for it online. This link shows what it looks like although I didn't purchase it from this site: http://www.dog.com/item/adjustable-nylon-harness-black/ .

    I have double checked and it isn't pinching or pulling them in anyway. It is not really tight, but is a little snug so I don't loose control of them when I am walking them.

    One dog I have had for awhile and at first she liked it (I actually got it on loan from the rescue where I got her to use and had to end up buying it from them because she got out of all other leads that I had for her - think she just wanted that particular one). After being fine with it for around a month she no longer wants to put it on. I have to lure her into it and put it over her head…once it gets over her head she will sit and lift her leg nicely for you to put it all the way on.

    The new dog hasn't been here two weeks yet and acts like her about the harness - he too liked it when he came, but now no.

    Any help would be great - I really lilke the harness because I feel like I am not hurting them too much, can keep control on them, and feel secure that they won't get loose using the harness. I have seen the one's that go all the way around them with the harness clip at the top but not sure if it would be safe to use - they could probably escape? Not sure what to do from here..but they have to walk and will have to use a lead.

    The gentle leader I feel will not keep him or her secure. I live in an apartment but we are around a lake with tons of land and wild animals. They are always trying to track something and with the surroundings so inviting they will be gone if they get loose.

    • TristA
    0

Suggested Topics

  • Kafka45K

    Initial dominance problem

    Behavioral Issues
    8
    0 Votes
    8 Posts
    5k Views
    wizardW
    The NILF program is exactly the sort of thing your basenji needs. She has hit teenage time and like human teenagers is pushing authority. In this case, don't push her off the couch or yank the afghan from under her or any of those sorts of manuvers. Start by getting her attention just before she is going to jump onto the couch by offering a treat diverting her attention away from the couch. If she decides to come for the treat, she gets it, and then gets to be on the couch as a double reward; if she decides to complete her jump to the couch instead, she doesn't get the treat. Once she starts to look at you first ("asking permission") before she takes the couch then the reward becomes the couch. And to get her off the couch, use the reverse. Offer her a treat in such a way that she has to get off the couch to get it and click as soon as she decides to get off Once she understands that, add the "off" word. You might have to use treats just for this exercise that she wouldn't get any other time to make this more enticing to her. You might also want to introduce mat work so that she has to go to her mat or afghan or whatever, on the floor, instead of getting on the couch in the first place.
  • I

    Crate Problem

    Behavioral Issues
    13
    0 Votes
    13 Posts
    7k Views
    S
    Yesterday it was three poops on the morning walk :-)
  • wizardW

    Walking issues

    Behavioral Issues
    10
    0 Votes
    10 Posts
    3k Views
    QuercusQ
    I always offer my clients a choice. They can train their dog to heel in the same position each time, or they can train their dog to simply be enjoyable to walk with (to pay attention, not pull, not criss-cross in front, or tangle up) So far every single one, scores of clients, have chosen to have a polite walker, not a perfect one. With my own dogs, the only time we work on 'heel' is when we are training for Rally. In the show ring I want them in front a little bit, and on a walk, I want them on the "fun" side of the trail. Now, they do sometimes forget with the stimulus is overwhelming…squirrel, etc...but usually I can do some attention work with them right away and get them back under control. Those of you who see me walking my dogs at the National will probably laugh...I am bringing my two WORST trained dogs...one is virtually resistant to training, and the other just hasn't had the training time he needs..it will be quite a circus :)
  • bcraigB

    Digging in heels on walks

    Behavioral Issues
    19
    0 Votes
    19 Posts
    11k Views
    bcraigB
    We are now in an area that is covered in many dog training books and/or websites, so you are welcome to research this subject on your own. I think the leadership ideas are pretty much the same even though we are dealing with Basenjis, the issue is using the right technique for Basenjis. We had 4 sessions spread out over about 6 weeks with a positive reinforcement-based trainer. I don't think you have to use a trainer but it does really help. Each week we would have questions because almost nothing went smoothly but she always had ideas to help us get through. I would divide what we did into two categories–changes that we made in how we behaved around Ella, and obedience training (tricks and commands) that helped to strengthen our bond and reinforced out leadership position. The behavior changes are pretty easy to implement. The main ones for us were making sure we led the way out the door on walks and were the first to enter the door upon returning. Eventually we taught the "wait" command so that she will sit at the door and allow us to step outside before we release her. So she is calm and submissive in front of an open door before we walk out. That is huge. Sets the tone for the whole walk. We had to do a lot of body blocking while teaching this but eventually it worked. Treats are keys. We made an effort to eat our dinner before she is fed. Also, she had to sit and wait for her food. She is not given treats just for being cute or for having a curly tail. We are generous with treats but she has to do something (even just a "sit") to get one. She was so forlorn and sad for the first few months we had her we had created bad treating habits...making her see us a submissive to her. I think equally important was at the same time we began teaching commands. At this point all she knew was "sit" and that took a long time (a moth or two) to learn. With a trainer and using treats and a clicker we were able to teach about 6-8 commands in about 3-4 weeks. When Ella picked up on a new command and the excitement it generated, I really felt connected to her for the first time. And because I was the one issuing the commands it made me the pack leader. It gave me a way of controlling her behavior a little and getting her attention. All good things. We learned down, stay, touch, shake, wait, roll over (very tough), up, here and come (the hardest command for a B). The final piece of the puzzle is getting it to make a difference on a walk. Any trainer will tell you that the energy you bring to the dog will be reflected right back to you. We had gotten so stressed with this digging in of heels on walks that it gave bad energy to the walks. It is a vicious cycle that is difficult to break. You just need to have one good walk, or part of one good walk, and build on it. Relaxed shoulders, relaxed hand on the leash, a care-free gait, these are all things a dog will pick up on. As bad as the vicious cycle is when things are bad, they can turn around just as easy. One good walk begets another. One successful commands teaches another. Hope this helps. We were at a low point with our new dog when I wrote that post. She is far from perfect on walks but we have made huge progress.
  • TheMightyQuinnT

    Walks and car trips

    Behavioral Issues
    5
    0 Votes
    5 Posts
    4k Views
    lvossL
    Here are some links to the SENSE-ible Harness and the Easy Walk Harness. http://www.softouchconcepts.com/products/sense_ible_harness.html http://www.premier.com/pages.cfm?id=74
  • Capt_Jack_our_BasenjiC

    BIG problems with Jack…

    Behavioral Issues
    105
    0 Votes
    105 Posts
    34k Views
    Capt_Jack_our_BasenjiC
    Again, if you would like Peter's number then I am happy to get it for you. Also, if I can help at all please let me know. Sophie and Stick would love to take him to the park with us for a big B romp.:D Kiss the baby and pet Jack for me! Audrey Id LOVE LOVE LOVE to meet up at the dog park thats EXACTLY what Jack needs. You tell me the night before what time your going to be there and Im THERE!!! (depending on the weather because i have the baby, lol) But i KNOW Jack would LOVE to go to the park!! Let me know Oh and the trainer we have been meeting with is doing well…Jack has been around some visiters recently and did GREAT we had NO problems!! But its still early so, im hoping for the best!!:p