Skip to content
Basenji Forums
  1. Home
  2. Basenji Training
  3. The puppies first practice

The puppies first practice

Basenji Training

Suggested Topics

  • M

    Puppy biting

    Basenji Training
    16
    0 Votes
    16 Posts
    12k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    @drew82 I've been doing rescue and breeding (not Basenjis, and not for 20 yrs now)... and I have to say that among responsible trainers, rescues, breeders and professional veterinary behaviorists, you won't find any who will say under 8 weeks is okay for any breed... and for many, 10 to 12 weeks is recommended. It is in fact illegal to take puppies under 8 weeks from some states and it should be in all of them. Call a few dozen rescues and ask them how many animals they deal with that have issues started from being placed too young. It is good you are working on things, just hopefully the physical responses won't continue. No breed needs to be swatted or even mildly hurt for training. Basenjis even less so than many. It hurts your relationship with the puppy, and you are punishing a baby for being a baby... there is no "rebellious thing"... just normal behavior you have to patiently train away from.
  • K

    Puppy training at night

    Basenji Training
    4
    0 Votes
    4 Posts
    4k Views
    Baba BamideleB
    The rule of thumb I was taught is that a puppy can only wait an amount of time equal to their age in months plus one. So, at eight weeks old (two months), your pup can hold it three hours tops (1 month + 1 month + 1). You should probably schedule a couple of potty visits outside during the night, even though it will be a pain. When we got Cosette, my wife and set a timer for three hours and three hours beyond that. We took turns taking her outside. At twelve weeks old, we were able to lengthen the time between breaks to 4 hours, then 5 hours at sixteen weeks, etc. It's tough, but it will keep your home (and her crate) clean!
  • tanzaT

    First Major

    Basenji Training
    21
    0 Votes
    21 Posts
    12k Views
    tanzaT
    @Chealsie508: Thanks Pat and Lisa, I'll look into that. Another question though- there is a novice rally event happening on the 6th in MA near us, would that be something I could take Oakley to?? Thanks for your thoughts Rally events are AKC events… The club premium will usually note that any dogs that are not entered should not be on the show grounds. That said, many of us take puppies and young dogs for socialization. If this event is outdoors, that makes it much easier, since there is usually lots of room. Indoors, not so much because it is a smaller area and during OB or Rally the "crowd" and other dogs should/need to be quiet as to not disturb the dog that is working. If Oakley does well around other dogs/people (being quiet..ggg) then I would say go for it! Maybe not if indoors until you know how he might react.
  • J

    Lure practice

    Basenji Training
    3
    0 Votes
    3 Posts
    3k Views
    J
    do you do anything at home to practice, like drag aroung a plastic bag?
  • lvossL

    Puppy Nosework

    Basenji Training
    4
    0 Votes
    4 Posts
    3k Views
    lvossL
    I will try to be good and update each week so if you want to follow along you can. The things that you need is at least 5 boxes, one that should be labeled "Food" and is the only box that gets food in it, so the others aren't cotaminated with the food scent, treats that your dog really loves, and some different areas to work in. The first week the boxes are all in a line. Before I set L'Ox down to work, show him that I am putting the treats in the treat box then I do a "shell game" with the box, tapping it against the other boxes in the line and usually saying things like, "Where's your treat? Is it in this box? Oh, look at this box it looks so good." etc, and at some point switching the food box with one of the other boxes so that he doesn't just cue into the last box I was at and has to really work to find the treats. We do 3 searches in a training session and our goal for the week is to work in 5 locations. Mine will probably be the kitchen, the living room, the backyard, the school down the street, and at a friend's house. It makes things much easier if you have someone to help you but you can work by yourself using a tether or baby gate.
  • AndrewA

    Training a puppy

    Basenji Training
    6
    0 Votes
    6 Posts
    4k Views
    Robin_n_JackR
    HA! We did the up& back method at my petsmart class. Jack is so flexible, he would actually follow the treat back with his head, until his head was almost lying on his back. I think what I finally had to do was push his butt down with one hand, while holding the treat in front of his face with the other. He got really good at it…now, he sits when I snap my fingers, when I say sit, or, my favorite, when I salute him. Good luck!