Sinking of Cesar


  • No, the shelter is full of throw away animals because people believe that there is a magic solution that will fix their problems without them doing any work. When they find out that is not true, they often choose to dump the animal rather than put the time into fixing the problem. TV shows that make it appear that in just few easy steps any problem can be fixed only contribute to the problem.


  • IMO every dog is different. One method, or trick, may work with one dog, but not another. You try a method you like and adjust it to the dog itself. If you are too forward with a dog that is shy, you can look for problems. Pushing certain dogs in situations that make them extremely uncomfortable only inhibits the dog. Conversly, if you are too soft on a pushy dog, you don't get anywhere. So, again, IMO one method may work, or, it may not. You have to be able to work with the personality of the dog. Not just expect a method to work because you think 'the breed' exhibits a certain tendency towards a specific behaviour.


  • Kathryn, we have a lot in common. I've never trained race horses, although a friend has and I have exercised some for her, but I have raised and trained Arabians, one in particular that I took entry level eventing and also some schooling dressage. All my horses are very light in hand, and they know about that line you mentioned…...and seldom attempt to cross it. However, we are all getting old at this point. My "geriatric ward" consists of three horses, the oldest 35 this year, the youngest 26. :) I am open to all training methods, but use the lightest touch I can to achieve the results I require. With horses, a lack of respect is simply dangerous. With little dogs, it is more of a nuisance, but as you say, ill mannered dogs end up in shelters through no fault of their own. As far as children are concerned......here's an interesting article in my local paper today on the subject.

    http://www.thestar.com/news/insight/article/1126210–french-mothers-are-calmer-bringing-up-bebe-by-pamela-druckerman

    "children raised in a firm and friendly way should bring pleasure to all — themselves, maman et papa, other parents in the playground, fellow diners in restaurants, shoppers, anyone they meet in the daily course of life."


  • @lvoss:

    No, the shelter is full of throw away animals because people believe that there is a magic solution that will fix their problems without them doing any work. When they find out that is not true, they often choose to dump the animal rather than put the time into fixing the problem. TV shows that make it appear that in just few easy steps any problem can be fixed only contribute to the problem.

    I fully agree


  • I think anyone looking to a TV show to tell them how to train their dog…...or their kids for that matter......is being unrealistic in the extreme. No matter what method is being touted. Dog ownership is a responsibility that many are not prepared to take on, particularly those who acquire a pet on a whim without research and thought. Sincere pet owners try to work through problems and get help if they find themselves dealing with problems they can't handle. IMHO, of course. TV shows are entertainment, seldom education.

  • First Basenji's

    @Rocky1:

    Sorry to dsagree with you,Fran
    My basenjis say, CLICK THIS !
    No clicker training here.
    I do use food rewards.

    Kathryn

    If clicker training is done correctly, it will work. If it works for elephants, dolphins, horses, cats, it will work on Basenjis…........albeit, when administered correctly. Uzie took to it immediately....all obedience and many 'tricks' (playing dead is so cute!) Many videos and books for the instructions.


  • I'm sure clicker training can work for some.
    I preder to use other methods that have worked for
    me or over 35 years.
    I'm from the old school and think the old ways and
    some of my own methods work the best FOR ME.
    I would like to think I'm right as one of the most titled
    obedience basenjis was started training with me and she was
    a tough dog to train.
    I speak of Quitas Bonga who was oneofthe first to get a UDX
    in both the US ad Canada.
    Of course, some on this forum are to young to know this.

    Kathryn


  • Clicker training is excellent for teaching new behaviours. IMHO It has nothing to offer for behaviours already known (except possibly to sharpen them up or indicate what level of performance will be rewarded), or for disobedience. It is simply a very effective way of marking the behaviour you are willing to reward, and once the behaviour is on cue, you put the clicker away until you wish to teach a different behaviour.

    Clicker training has its limitations for training at a distance or for training certain things to certain species, e.g. most horse training for mounted work involves negative reinforcement. What is required is far easier to convey by the use of pressure and release of pressure (rein signals, leg pressure), which will reduce to a subtle cue in a well trained animal. I have clicker trained horses to do liberty behaviours, but would find it awkward for under saddle work, although I do use marker words which indicate that a reward will be forthcoming for the performance. Those using clickers with horses also seem to be relying on more conventional means as well.

    Most dog "clicker trainers" don't advocate throwing the leash away, either, which if you are doing pure clicker training would pretty much be a requirement. Gentle leaders, et al, are negative reinforcement tools, as is a leash. If you were a purist, it would be difficult to imagine how you would exercise your dog in a city with leash laws, although it should be possible to train him never to put any pressure on the leash at all. Anyone here done that with their Basenji? :)


  • Most clicker trainers would actually say they are Least Invasive Minimally Aversive (LIMA) trainers.


  • Clicker training worked wonderfully with my boy. I potty trained him with a clicker and he caught on sooooo fast. I would recommend it to anyone.

Suggested Topics

  • Will not pee

    Behavioral Issues
    4
    1 Votes
    4 Posts
    2k Views
    SavingS
    I don't get other dogs in the yard but I do get foxes, she will sniff but isn't bothered.
  • 0 Votes
    10 Posts
    1k Views
    C
    @Saving so nice to hear there's other people with the same problem! We have been giving regular baths to our b, so I don't know if that really helped or not. Anyways, it took a while for me to bring Nova again to the dog park, because I was a bit afraid the same situation would happen again. I was there a couple of days ago, and no one tried to hump her. (I must say all dogs had same age approx.) Thank you for your comment replies! :)
  • Newborn/Kids with My Basenji

    Behavioral Issues
    4
    1 Votes
    4 Posts
    764 Views
    eeeefarmE
    It would be useful to know more about this dog. Has resource guarding been an issue in the past? Has he bitten either you or your wife before? (a real bite, not playful nipping). Or anyone else? A dog that isn't used to children may be fearful of their loudness or quick movements. Perhaps you could do some socialization work with him, e.g. hanging around places where young kids congregate to accustom him to their noise and activity. Obviously not allowing any interaction as you are unsure of his behaviour. Dogs react differently to newborns. In my experience bitches are more likely than dogs to be tolerant, but it is very much the individual dog's reaction that counts. People have been blindsided when their supposedly tolerant and gentle dog turns out to be hostile to a young child. Bottom line, no dog should be left unsupervised around young kids, so in any event you would have to monitor his behaviour carefully once your baby arrives. On a personal note, of the five Basenjis I have owned, two bitches were entirely reliable with kids, the other was tolerant as long as they respected her space. One of the males adored children and was curious about them, the other curious but uncertain and would react to fast movements. I did not trust him and controlled any interaction closely. IMO, he would have bitten had he felt threatened. And kids, especially babies, tend to grab and pinch, ears, tails, whatever. Caution is always the safest route.
  • Puppy Aggressively Biting

    Behavioral Issues
    10
    0 Votes
    10 Posts
    1k Views
    ZandeZ
    Neutering is not going to help - training is. But a good trainer will train YOU to deal with the dog. If a trainer can get him to behave but you can't - there is little to be gained from paying out money. This is something you should never have allowed to happen, but since it has, I think you should deal with it and @JENGOSMonkey has given you a good idea to start you off. Withdrawing treats is a good idea, but also, get up and walk away. He could be biting to get attention and therefore you withdraw the attention at the first sign of a bite, with a firm NO.
  • Scared of people / crowds

    Behavioral Issues
    24
    0 Votes
    24 Posts
    2k Views
    tanzaT
    @sarahmiri - I would say no to carrying him.... don't pick him up, but get down to his level as Zande pointed out in her response.
  • Started peeing in the crate again

    Behavioral Issues
    9
    1 Votes
    9 Posts
    811 Views
    S
    Just thought I'd share an update on this. I removed the blankets from the crate and replaced them with a mattress. We have been strict about her only staying in the crate at night. When we have had accidents I have cleaned up, with a dog urine killing spray, and placed her back in the crate. Everything is progressing smoothly, not had any accidents for over a week now. So it's been a rather quick turnaround, lovely to have her properly crate trained again. Thank you all for sharing advice on the situation.