Skip to content
Basenji Forums
  1. Home
  2. Basenji Training
  3. How do I get my basenji focused on me?

How do I get my basenji focused on me?

Basenji Training
  • N

    Hello!
    When you are training your basenji to stay calm and focused on you when distractions are around (outdoors, street, shows…), how do you do it? Do I have to show him a filet mignon or hire a violinist to get his attention? My Nilo seems happier checking every little mosquito outside than looking at my face (understandable) or smelling the pieces of bait that I kindly offer him.

    Thank you for you advice

    0
  • DebraDownSouthD

    I teach all my dogs "watch me." Next to come and leave it, I have found it invaluable. Okay let me explain that with Rotties and Chows, eye contact should be taught from the moment they can focus to get over the concept that it is a challenge (G-d I love how basenjis gaze into your eyes!) and teaching them to lock eyes on you is sometimes a life saver… gives their minds a moment to disengage from whatever it is they are considering so they can hear the next command, lol.

    I do it with food at first. I know some use toys but food pops in mouth, gone, ready for next.

    Here seems to be a fairly basic explanation because I am waiting on dinner and too lazy to type:
    http://hubpages.com/hub/dog-training-look-at-face

    I also recommend Mary's links. Btw, her long haired rottie is from my line. We nearly stroked, but it happens. So having her in a perfect pet home like Mary's was a blessing.
    http://www.clickerlessons.com/index.htm

    Debra

    0
  • N

    Thank you, I will check that site out.

    0
  • S

    I have a 10 month old girl, Ms Wheat. She is all over the place, but we are working to learn to talk to each other with a gentle obedience class.
    Its worth the time and $$ to attend one.
    Wheat and I will be going through the first one a few times…just because she is sooooo much her own little thinker...

    Sharron Hurlbut

    BRAT, basenji rescue

    Evergreen basenji club

    Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue

    0
  • agilebasenjiA

    I've managed to impress the heck out of long-time basenji people with Zest's focus and mat game. Teaching focus in midst of distractions can be time consuming, but is not too difficult.

    Here's a good place to start:
    http://dogscouts.org/Protocol_for_relaxation.html
    I use a down instead of a sit and have the dog do this on her mat.

    Other games can be found in Control Unleashed available at dogwise, amazon and other fine book stores. The zen game and give me a break game are very helpful in addition to the mat work.

    0
  • N

    Thank you very much for the info and the sites you have sent, and sorry for the delay in replying (my computer was down for a while). I am going to start with the Relaxation Protocol and see how it works. Also I have just started the Control Unleashed book so I am going to see how it goes too. By the way, how long did your basenji take to start showing selfcontrol?

    0

Suggested Topics

  • Chealsie508C

    Is this a basenji thing?

    Basenji Training
    14
    0 Votes
    14 Posts
    7k Views
    KipawaK
    Kipawa does this as well, and also prefers to do it with dogs that have a longer coat. I've never had a problem yet, but I do watch carefully. If Kipawa starts going a little overboard, I redirect with a treat, or I will also tell him "time out". Both work for us.
  • G

    Getting Involved

    Basenji Training
    2
    0 Votes
    2 Posts
    3k Views
    AndrewA
    There are several different sports you can get into with basenjis, with varying degrees of work and effort on your part. Lure coursing is a lot of fun, and is pretty much an instinctual thing with basenjis. If your basenji has high prey drive (rips your arm off to dart off after squirrels while you're walking, etc), s/he will probably enjoy lure coursing. Since its instinctual, there's not a whole lot of training you can do, or need to do. Getting started in lure coursing… go the akc website & do an events search for Lure coursing tests & trials in your state. It helps if you're willing to travel to surrounding states, as there aren't a ton of great places for coursing, so you could also search nearby states at the same time to find events. Also, go to asfa.org and click on the events link there. AKC & ASFA are 2 different lure coursing bodies, so the points you accumulate in one are not applicable to the other. By looking at events in your area, you can find names of the clubs that host events in your area. From there, google them for their website & contact info. You'll be able to find people in your area who can help you further. Just doing an event search on ASFA & then googleing the host clubs, I actually found the Basenji Club of Southwestern Wisconsin http://www.bcosw.org/ and the Midwest Coursing Club http://midwestcoursing.homestead.com/. Those should be a good start for coursing. If you want to get into agility, google agility training facilities in your area. Agility takes a lot of hard work and training for both you and your dog. You won't be ready to compete for a while, sometimes people train for a couple of years before they compete. However, its a GREAT learning and bonding experience for both you and the dog. Its a lot of fun! There's also straight racing and oval track racing. I don't know much about those, but google NOTRA & LGRA & you'll find websites for both. Again, look for events in your area & then contact the host clubs. There are a ton of events, and you can learn about most of them at akc.org. There's scent tracking, conformation, weight pulling, etc etc. You could also look into getting a Canine Good Citizen & visiting nursing homes or children's hospitals. I'm sure somebody who lives in Illinois will chime in with what they do locally.
  • GeorgiaK9G

    Basenjis on CNN

    Basenji Training
    4
    0 Votes
    4 Posts
    2k Views
    K
    Thanks Jeff, go Kaden! Keep it up, and looking forward to his future accomplishments. :)
  • ?

    The Dancing Basenji

    Basenji Training
    13
    0 Votes
    13 Posts
    4k Views
    L
    Love it. I had seen the golden video a couple years ago and though. well of course a golden would be willing to learn that. Amazing that a Basenji actually decided it was worth while to learn that :)
  • lovemybarooL

    How do I get him to not jump up?

    Basenji Training
    13
    0 Votes
    13 Posts
    5k Views
    tanzaT
    @jaclempner: I also have a jumper. The trainer I worked with did the same thing mentioned in jys1011's post. Turn away - even if you have to do it 20 times. They get no attention until they're calm. Rosie can be pretty persistent, but it works. Basically, no dog should get attention when they're over-excited (easier to say than practice - sometimes I just don't have the time to wait them out). Oh I hear that…. "no time to wait them out" :D
  • jys1011J

    Basenji Hiking?

    Basenji Training
    11
    0 Votes
    11 Posts
    14k Views
    nobarkusN
    I've hiked off leash at numerous areas here in the SF Bay area. They love it! Any there was only 1 area that was a problem with ticks. To me after 30 years hiking with them it's the best way to establish a great relationship with them. There's no two ways about it, Basenjis love hiking adventures.