Skip to content

Help, we need advice re training classes please

Behavioral Issues
  • There are also some very good harnesses for loose lead walking without the issues of neck injury. My 14 year old uses the Wags, Wiggles, and Whiskers Freedom Harness because he has a bulging disc. When clipped in the front it acts as a no pull harness. Clipped in the rear it reduces pulling but doesn't really discourage a determined puller. It has been wonderful Nicky as it has eliminated the stress on his neck. Also, the company will repair chewed harnesses. Nicky has not damaged his but we have had many people with dogs who have.

    http://www.wiggleswagswhiskers.com/newsite/freedom-no-pull-harness.htm

    An issue I had with the Gentle Leader was that though my dogs did not pull with it on, it was because they clearly found it aversive and shut down.

  • @eeeefarm:

    Absolutely! You can damage the neck with pretty much any collar. Surprisingly, the really nasty looking prong collar appears to be less likely to do physical harm than most. I think the biggest danger with the halter type restraints is if the dog lunges suddenly and hits the end of the leash hard. Not a good idea to use a long leash with these. Bottom line, if they don't pull the collar won't hurt them.

    I would say that the gentle leader is totaly unsuited to use with a long lead or retractable lead.
    If we use the retractables we go back to collars.

  • @lvoss:

    There are also some very good harnesses for loose lead walking without the issues of neck injury. My 14 year old uses the Wags, Wiggles, and Whiskers Freedom Harness because he has a bulging disc. When clipped in the front it acts as a no pull harness. Clipped in the rear it reduces pulling but doesn't really discourage a determined puller. It has been wonderful Nicky as it has eliminated the stress on his neck. Also, the company will repair chewed harnesses. Nicky has not damaged his but we have had many people with dogs who have.

    http://www.wiggleswagswhiskers.com/newsite/freedom-no-pull-harness.htm

    An issue I had with the Gentle Leader was that though my dogs did not pull with it on, it was because they clearly found it aversive and shut down.

    thanks for the link, i like the look of the harness . If clipped to the front do you find it realy works to stop pulling ?
    Our two aren't keen on the gentle leader and try to scrape it off from time to time. I however don't feel it is causing them too much stress and it certainly doesn't hurt them. I am hoping they get more used to it as time goes on. The results have been dramatic and a lot safer, ie no lunging at traffic or in Kwame's case other dogs. Will keep an eye on them though and will bear in mind what you have said, thanks.

  • Yes, when the leash is clipped to the front it does work to stop pulling and seems to calm most dogs. It is also soft nylon and the strap that goes behind the front legs and under them is velvet. Which reminds of the other thing to watch for with the Gentle Leader which is that it doesn't rub the fur off their muzzle.

  • @lvoss:

    Yes, when the leash is clipped to the front it does work to stop pulling and seems to calm most dogs. It is also soft nylon and the strap that goes behind the front legs and under them is velvet. Which reminds of the other thing to watch for with the Gentle Leader which is that it doesn't rub the fur off their muzzle.

    thanks …............................................

  • Yes, I,ve had problems with the Gentle Leader chafing but then mine kept trying to get out of it. It certainly seems to work for Kwame so it obviously suits him.
    so pleased that you have found solutions for Kwame's problems. Kudos to you Shelley.
    The harness Ivoss reccomends looks great and I've taken note of the link for use if necessary.

  • Helena, we still have a long way to go with Kwame but i feel more relaxed about him now. The support from people has helped along with the advice. It was such a relief not to go to classes with him on saturday, i felt like a load had been lifted off my shoulders. I guess i felt we should keep going because Malaika has done so well with them. It took a while to become apparent that the enviroment was wrong for him.
    Kwame and Malaika do try to avoid having the leaders on and occasionaly on the walk will try to wipe them off on our legs ;) however i feel they are worth persevering with as the effect is so dramatic and our walks are transformed.
    I am keeping the harness in mind though if neccasary, it's good to know there are options.

Suggested Topics

  • Help please!

    Behavioral Issues
    16
    0 Votes
    16 Posts
    4k Views
    D
    @basenji_life said in Help please!: Oh and yesterday evening she started peeing on the sofa while looking straight at him... and she normally goes outside to pee... maybe she was upset that he was home? Did you solve this issue? I had a dog who didnt like kids. Someone told me it could be because the previous owner had kids who scared the dog. So it could be a traumatic experience for the dog. And when kids were around, the dog would bark a lot always.
  • Hi from IL…Need some advice

    Behavioral Issues
    1
    0 Votes
    1 Posts
    1k Views
    No one has replied
  • PLEASE HELP! Anxiety Issues!!!

    Behavioral Issues
    5
    0 Votes
    5 Posts
    4k Views
    D
    He should adjust in time to losing his companion. However long that takes is questionable though and he will continue to be angry and feel neglected and reflect that anger with destruction just out of loneliness. It may improve with time and may not. You have to ask yourself is this fair for your dog? I would spend nearly all my time with him when I was home taking walks, etc. and if you can't do more than 2 hrs. it may be best to find a better home for him where he has a better environment. If his new home is a better place where there is a yard to run, and owners that can spend more time with him he will gradually accept the new home and owners. I know that is hard but may be the best. When your living situation improves you may think about owning another dog. Other than that, working 2 jobs leaves the dog alone too much to be fair so you need to get someone…the same person all the time... over to your apartment to spend time with him if you don't want to give him up. He can bond to that person and that will help the loneliness somewhat. If you decided to give him up, the new owners could come over frequently for walks and visits before you gave the dog to them so that the dog would consider them friends before adoption, that would help the dog transition. I would not give that dog to an inexperienced owner though. That could end in disaster. It will do the same things with the new owner although it should get over the transition quicker because it will be in a better environment. Also, was your husband the dog's leader? You now have to be a positive leader for him because it sounds like he lacks leadership.
  • Need help ASAP

    Behavioral Issues
    9
    0 Votes
    9 Posts
    5k Views
    tanzaT
    @dmcarty: Since they are so young I would assume it is each trying to figure out where they fit in the scheme of things and you may be overreacting. I will however tell you that the one breed of dogs that my basenjis have never liked is ****zu. LOL ….. you know it is all about the hair!
  • Stressed out about this behaviour and need help…..

    Behavioral Issues
    22
    0 Votes
    22 Posts
    11k Views
    A
    I agree with JayCee. I had to know his limits with my male and not put him in a position where he would fail. As yes, some dog owners dont understand the basenji play, but some do. I have met a great bunch of folks at the park who have taken some time with their dogs to help mine out. Very much appreciated. No matter what kind of dog you have, there will always be that one person at the park the park who has a problem. I avoid those folks. I also want the park to be safe for all. If someone brings their children in, I remove my dogs immediately since i dont know how they are with children. Always be respectful of other owners and dogs at the park. Anyway, i want my basenjis to be able to play with any kind of dog and not just basenjis. Success so far.
  • Need Help with chewing, everything

    Behavioral Issues
    19
    0 Votes
    19 Posts
    5k Views
    BlueBellB
    I am finding out quickly that if things are too quiet I better go find Bella. Most of the time she is asleep but there are those times that my tennis shoes or sandals are now becoming just chew toys. Upsetting but funny too. Kind of like my 2 year old grandson's antics.