Skip to content
Basenji Forums
  1. Home
  2. Behavioral Issues
  3. Help, we need advice re training classes please

Help, we need advice re training classes please

Behavioral Issues
  • L

    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.

    0
  • T

    @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.

    Shelley

    Basenji Malaika

    Basenji Malaika
    Basenji Kwame

    0
  • T

    @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.

    Shelley

    Basenji Malaika

    Basenji Malaika
    Basenji Kwame

    0
  • L

    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.

    0
  • T

    @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 …............................................

    Shelley

    Basenji Malaika

    Basenji Malaika
    Basenji Kwame

    0
  • P

    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.

    0
  • T

    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.

    Shelley

    Basenji Malaika

    Basenji Malaika
    Basenji Kwame

    0

47/47

22 Feb 2012, 22:11

Suggested Topics

  • C

    Basenji Reactivity- please help!

    Behavioral Issues
    47 22 Mar 2020, 18:23
    22 Mar 2020, 18:23
    2 Votes
    25 Posts
    6k Views
    D
    Cara is 11. She has only love our Samoyed in her entire adult life. No animal is worthy of breathing air. While Pam did take her about 5 years ago for a refresher course, she learned to ignore the other basenjis, not like them. If she freezes, she is definitely waiting for prey. Usually she keeps walking slowly, eyes seemingly forward, until she is within striking distance. I wouldn't trust my dog to lie in wait until you truly are sure of their intentions. Even then, do you know if their behavior may be stressing out the other dog? And how many dogs and how much time do you have to play out this behavior? On a good day, Moose the Samoyed runs into up to 10 of his harem on a long walk (usually 3 to 5). He's out to play, that's the goal. On a potty walk when my daughter or her fiance are in a hurry, they give him very little play time and he accepts it. No, he's not a basenji...but also an ancient independent thinking breed. They live to play. We get to decide when. My point being, I understand that a behavior may be normal...but I am surprised at owners throwing up their hands and letting it go. There are many situations where you need the dog to keep moving, and you want training in force before that occurs. I am not sure at the resistance against that view.
  • M

    Crate Re-Training?

    Behavioral Issues
    47 1 Jul 2014, 02:57
    1 Jul 2014, 02:57
    0 Votes
    26 Posts
    26k Views
    D
    I think it depends on the dog. It is funny, but yep the bear hug has worked with both Sayblee and Cara when they were into the wilds. (Arwen never gets wild in any way… far too dignified to be like that thank you!) If bear hugs escalates or they seriously try to bite you, then it isn't working. But most do hate being restrained enough that they get it. In fact I'd rather restrain than ever use a crate for PUNISHMENT. Now if you used the crate just to make him sleep in, yeah. But bad behavior then in crate sets up a bad connection. Hope things continue to go well.
  • A

    PLEASE HELP! Anxiety Issues!!!

    Behavioral Issues
    47 20 Dec 2013, 21:04
    20 Dec 2013, 21:04
    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.
  • T

    Advice needed

    Behavioral Issues
    47 24 May 2011, 21:37
    24 May 2011, 21:37
    0 Votes
    15 Posts
    6k Views
    T
    @sharronhurlbut: With rescue dogs, we make walking them together a big deal..several times a day. Letting them sniff the "leavings" of the other, and just getting them out together and moving. It might help. Sharron, thanks. Yes we do walk them together as well as seperately. They do seem to get on well but i don't think they have sorted out who is the dominant one. I can't say at this point either. When play fighting he certainly makes lots of noise, whilst she is silent. He looks to be in charge sometimes, however if she silently draws her lips back and stares at him he backs off or lets her clean in his mouth/ eyes etc. If Kwame wants to sleep, she is a terrible torment and pokes and prods him, he gets very whipped up and goes for her but it's like water of a Ducks back.
  • P

    Training Advice, Please help

    Behavioral Issues
    47 23 Sept 2008, 02:51
    23 Sept 2008, 02:51
    0 Votes
    57 Posts
    18k Views
    C
    yikes…....
  • R

    Need help with crate training please

    Behavioral Issues
    47 22 Aug 2006, 14:22
    22 Aug 2006, 14:22
    0 Votes
    18 Posts
    8k Views
    D
    How is the crate training with Ripley going? It's been awhile since we've heard any progress.