Yes, I think it's common for Basenjis to be difficult with trusting off leash. I know with my B, I would never have him off leash unless in a controlled environment. Too many things to tempt him with running off. All it takes is an interesting moving object (car, rabbit, person, another dog, etc) or an interesting smell and he'll want to run towards it.
Basenji's come with an independent personality, thus they will act independent. Some can be trusted, but I think it's rather typical for Basenji's to be an off-leash risk.
I have been testing mine at the beach as there's high cliff on one side. He ran off a little ways then turned and looked at me so I ran the opposite direction and he chased after me. Then he played with some dogs then ran over a short distance to some people on a blanket so I ran over and leashed him. I had him on a 16' retractable which wasn't too bad. I'm going to get that 50" lead Petra mentioned.
I only used to let Benji off the lead in a very safe enviroment, ie no roads reachable or other dangers. He did come back but only when he was ready. I found that if i walked in the opposite direction it could speed up his return, provided he noticed and provided there wasn't anything more interesting.:)
I cannot leave my B off leash AT ALL. She ran away the other day (door flew open from the wind) and it was about 15 minutes later before we noticed. She was GONE. We live in a new area on the edge of the city so I was extremely worried about coyotes and cars. Luckily we found her after about an hour. She got into someone's back yard and was playing with another dog. It is a frustrating trait that B's have. I WISH WISH WISH I could trust Nulla off leash. It is truly disappointing that we can't. In all other ways I think she views us as the pack leader but if in an open space she won't come back if there is something more fun to check out. 
Yes…Duna has only run off once yet...but she is only 7 months...and i think when they find out that running off is fun, they are not to be trusted!!! I hope i'm wrong!!! Hub has proposed me to go to the beach with him some mornings at 6.00 am( when no one around) just to let her tire out and i'll test her obedience and deaf ear again!!! Hope she gets back into track and that running episode was just because i wasn't with her so she listenes to no one else!!!
No Basenji is ever totally trustworthy off leash, their prey drive and natural instincts are too high. However depending on the dog and how training has gone, it can be a much smaller risk. But it's still a risk. I let my dogs off leash a lot, and I have put a ton of work into them, but it is a chance I have to take.
And yes, they definitely respond different to their "person" over anyone else. My dogs are very well trained, but when my family tries to give them the same commands, the dogs just come and look at me like "who the heck are they to tell me something?" lol And when my family had led the dog out in the neighborhood he wouldn't come to my dad, I had to go running down there and call him. He was busy checking out the dogs in the yards.
I know people have said that if you start running and yelling in the opposite direction, basenjis will turn around and come back - but I've never wanted to test this. And I never let mine off leash except in the fenced yard.
My first one ran off (thinking he was getting to go for a walk) for about a mile before he stopped and came to me (I was running after him the whole time as I didn't want to lose sight). My current one ran off at a practise race when the starting box scared her and again, she ran for some distance before simply turning around.
I try now to train mine to always come to a dog whistle immediately and get a special treat just for obeying the whistle. Gossy is pretty good at stopping what she's doing and respondind (unless she's treed a squirrel). Of course you have to remember to take the whistle wherever you go.
My current one ran off at a practise race when the starting box scared her and again, she ran for some distance before simply turning around.
Heh, I had a similar issue when I had Kananga at the lure coursing event a few months back. Perhaps the same one? I didn't catch him in time at the end of the run and he decided to do some exploring. Fortunately he stays close and doesn't really run off. Although the funny thing is he got loose earlier that morning when he got spooked by something. He backed up quickly and got out of his collar. Those two incidents are probably the only times he has gotten loose when he's been with me.
I know people have said that if you start running and yelling in the opposite direction, basenjis will turn around and come back - but I've never wanted to test this. And I never let mine off leash except in the fenced yard.
I tested this on Saturday at the beach. When I unhooked him he ran for some distance, turned and looked at me and I ran the other way and he chased me down. I continued the game for a bit letting him chase me and catch me. He stayed close by playing with other dogs and then I leashed him for a bit. I bought a 1" wide x 50' leash I'm going to use to get him used to the freedom but still remain in control. I will report in on how it's working. My previous 3 Basenjis were very good off leash and never ran off. If I stopped and sat down they did too no matter where without me saying a word. I never trained them either.
So for Buddy it worked..? He did come back for you once you started running..good. I am hunting for a long 30' + lead as well, will order one if I can't find it in the city. I really like the one you got, seems sturdy and bright color is a plus as well.
If your looking for a long line don't forget to look around online at "lunge lines". Made well and usually cost less than the 30' "dog leads". If you have a local saddle shop you could check them out.
Just a suggestion.
If your looking for a long line don't forget to look around online at "lunge lines". Made well and usually cost less than the 30' "dog leads". If you have a local saddle shop you could check them out.
Just a suggestion.
Thanks! Good to know. I like the chain on the end so the dog can't chew through.
Thanks for the idea of lunge lines..they are much cheaper..yeah..
I don't let my B off-lead and never let my first one off-lead either unless in an enclosed environment. I have a 20' retractable that seems to work pretty well. My first B even learned when it came to trees or posts that he was about to get tangled on to go "my way". All I had to do was say "Tree!" and he would come around and not get tangled. I'm working on the same response from the (relatively) new guy. He does seem to be catching on but it's still a work in progress.:)
I was very interested on finding out that the horse harnesses are good for our basenjis expecially the ones with a bit of metal chain at the end, so as not to let our doggies chew through the lead,
I took Duna out for a country walk and a seaside walk too off leash. She defenetly chooses who to hear when calling her to come…ME!!!!! She's a good girl till she meets other dogs, then becomes deaf!!! I tried runnig away and it workrd for the country walk, where as at the sea, what with the wind noise and wave noise, she just didnt turn to control me and took off for a distance with a big abandoned german sheperd mix!!! So i had to chase her because i new she was in trance and hipnotised by this big black dog that we were shooing to go away and that Duna was following!!! Little Stinker!!!!
