• @Kananga:

    I agree. They can be very quick at learning new things.

    It didn't take long for Kananga to learn "off" when he stands on the top of the ouch. I just have to say "off" while looking at him and he jumps down (of course with a big grin).

    I would get "off" if I was on top of the "ouch" too. lol.


  • @Nemo:

    I would get "off" if I was on top of the "ouch" too. lol.

    Too funny!!! lol!


  • @Nemo:

    I would get "off" if I was on top of the "ouch" too. lol.

    Missed that one. :o

  • Houston

    I missed it too, funny..


  • @Rita:

    We also use the word OFF with Jaycee. I think she has learned very nice she has her time when she does what she wants but then so do I. Jaycee is almost 9 months old.

    Rita Jean

    Shaye, who is 9 months, also did very well in obedience class with sit, stay, drop it, down, crawl (a trick), come. She also responds to "off" - but - outside of class, she will sit, down and stay for treats or if we are very stern when we say it, she gets "off" after staring at us and testing if we really mean it, will "drop it" just so we'll throw it again or after we take it in our hands and pull a little, depending on what it is. She knows quite well, learned very well, but has decided it's only worth it if there's something in it for her - I think this is a B trait - they are very smart - and very stubborn. Positive always works better than negative reinforcement.:rolleyes:

  • Houston

    Shaye, who is 9 months, also did very well in obedience class with sit, stay, drop it, down, crawl (a trick), come. She also responds to "off" - but - outside of class, she will sit, down and stay for treats or if we are very stern when we say it, she gets "off" after staring at us and testing if we really mean it, will "drop it" just so we'll throw it again or after we take it in our hands and pull a little, depending on what it is. She knows quite well, learned very well, but has decided it's only worth it if there's something in it for her - I think this is a B trait - they are very smart - and very stubborn. Positive always works better than negative reinforcement.

    I thought you were describing Otis there for a minute..they are probably basenji twins..virtual if nothing else, although Otis just turned 8 mo..


  • I taught rally obedience at a summer camp for kids. One of the things I noticed when teaching the class was how infrequently the rewarded their dogs compared to how often I was clicking and treating my dogs. They would also get frustrated that their dogs weren't doing what they wanted. So I told them, I click and treat in practice ALOT because it is like putting money in a bank. If I reward them lots in practice when I really need them to do it, they will even if I don't have a treat with me, like making a withdrawl from the bank. But just like a bank account, if you want to keep making withdrawls you need to make more deposits. Basically, my dogs need to know there is a reasonably good chance they will be rewarded. The more the are rewarded the more likely they will do the behavior, even when a reward isn't given. But you have to maintain a healthy bank account.


  • Jaycee gets Lean Treats not just just when we ask her to do something. Sometimes just because she has really been good. Off just is the word for her like when she sits on my desk and is eating all my papers I just say off and down and away she goes. Now when we first started that it was treat, treat and then she would look at us like just maybe well if I have it I will.

    Rita Jean


  • I have never tried to post photos to a forum before. Here is one, I'm not
    sure where the others went.

    The pound said she's part rat terrier, part chihuahua.
    The trainer says she's part rat terrier, part basenji.
    What do you all think? I would appreciate your opinions.
    I realize the photo is small and it may be hard to tell. She has really big ears, white feet, a white chest and, at times, depending on her expression, a slightly wrinkled face. She does not have a white tipped tail. She has a pointed snout with a slightly squared jaw. She has long, slender legs. She is about 21 lbs. She does bark. She loves to run and is very fast. She loves to chase squirrels and birds, play with toys, and has lots of energy. Despite her energy, she is not hyper and is a calm dog.
    She is very intelligent and easy to train with treats. She has a regal or
    dignified air about her. She is, at times, dainty and ladylike and at other times, tough and strong. She doesn't shed much, her hair is very short, and
    she gets cold easy. The hair on her underside is thin and she has some spots
    on her belly. She has a problem with submissive peeing and we suspect that
    she was mistreated by her previous owner.

    attachment_p_86902_0_mandy-005.jpg


  • Could be I am not sure but those darn traveling salesmen never come back and check on there babies so we know who the father is.
    Yes there are things you have said like Basenji but any way welcome.

    Rita Jean


  • Do rat terriers usually have that hair ridge down the side of the neck like Basenji's? That's what caught my attention when I viewed the pic.


  • I do not know your correct it does stand out is a good looking dog and looks to be very thick.

    Rita Jean


  • Post some more pics… Definitely has chihuahua-- do you have any front on face pics? Very cute dog! 🙂



  • Here is a picture of her face. Thanks for all your help identifying this part
    rat terrier part ? dog!
    (You can click on the photo for enlargement.)

    attachment_p_87073_0_mandy-004.jpg


  • Super cute– I definitely think more of rat terrier in the face.


  • After looking at Ivoss two links and then this picture more rat terrier. As I said before you never really know what all that traveling saleman was.

    Rita Jean

  • Houston

    All I see is Chihuahua/rat terrier, but there might still be some Basenji in him….he looks too cute..


  • Thanks for all your help! As I mentioned previously, it was the trainer that
    said there may be some basenji in this dog. We had never heard of basenjis,
    so it's been interesting to learn more about them, whether or not she has any in her. Thanks again for your input!

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