I think any dog can do it trained or untrained. This work is in their DNA. Where the drive comes in is how long will the dog work the track, through what obstacles, distractions, and other issues that could cause the dog to lose it or quit. What we look for is a dog that has so much hot, off the charts drive for work, that it's scent memory retention is high. We look for dogs that once they engage, they do not quit. This is what separates the professional dogs from the amateurs and one of the main traits we look for for dogs that we provide for police, military, or SAR. The trait is not so much basenji as it is "dog" for us. We provide GSD's, Malinois, Dutch Shepherds, bloodhounds, goldens, and labs for work and this trait is important in each breed. What I have found with the basenji, and what originally drew me into the breed, was the "natural" drive for certain things; OCD in a way but with uncanny intelligence behind the OCD. It was almost preternatural in form and quite useful. It may be what is missing in certain other over bred domestic breeds. The problem is that is not all that common in the basenji either just different.
Best way to get a basenji used to being crated.
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So I am crate training Watson and he is having difficulty adjusting.
He does well when I put him in and he knows we are in another room for a short time…there is some whining but nothing else.
If we leave the house though even only for an hour he gets so anxious there is always a big mess when we get home and he needs a bath.
What can I do to make this easier for him?
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Good basic article on retraining:
http://www.dailypuppy.com/articles/how-to-rekennel-train-your-dog/04ec74fb-b362-ce00-c71d-aaa079b7417e
