FINALLY got my Basenji BUT…

[weitzel]

I am the dog lover between my significant other and myself and have wanted one for 7years. I've been doing research on this breed for 2years and we finally adopted Maverick from a well known breeder out here. So the unfortunate thing is he's bonded quite quickly with my boyfriend and clearly prefers him over myself. It's very disheartening seeing as I'm the one that has done absolutely everything to make this happen. The breeder told me he bonded quickly with the husband of the last owners but because the wife didn't really care. It will apparently take more effort on my part being alpha..
Anyways, I really don't want to start resenting my bf and I know it's not his fault but it's still very sad for me. Any suggestions on how I can create a bond with him soon? Thanks in advance

[eeeefarm]

Spend lots of time teaching him new things and taking him interesting places. Also, don't impose yourself on him. If you are a little distant, your attention will become more desirable to him. Ration your praise and treats so he will value them. Clicker training makes a good bonding tool. And be patient! I find my dogs have preferred one or the other of us by times, and it can change depending on what is currently going on in the household.

[curlytails]

Who feeds and walks the dogs? Remember, your B just got here and is going through some major changes. Maverick may be comfortable sticking to what he knows at first. Your dog has no idea how much effort you put into bringing him home, and that's not his fault! Win him over in "language" he understands – food, mental stimulation, and physical comfort. Over time and with patience, your routine will establish a bond.

[lvoss]

Hand feeding is really useful in helping to develop a bond and raise your value to your dog.

[lisastewart]

Hand feeding helps build a bond as does play. My two youngest are in love with our son because he plays laser pointer tag with them. Last week Gambit came running out of his room and jumped in my lap and handed me the laser pointer. Seems when he is not home to play I'm an acceptable stand in.

[agilebasenji]

You may want to take him to a positive training class. There are many, many fun things available in dogsports right now - agility, rally, nosework, tracking, flyball, free style, etc.

[Lysh]

When I got my first basenji (female) she was supposed to be my dog. I also have a significant other that she bonded better with naturally. I used to get annoyed (he'd get the cuddles n play) so as soon as she was old enough I started taking her special places (just me n her) and I also done fun training classes with her. I made sure I was the one to feed her and I taught her all her tricks (and then the OH would just have a go at tricks from time to time or would occasionally comes on a walk with us but I still walked her). Now we have bonded together n she's my girl when I added my 2nd B to the pack a year or so later for some reason she was quiet the opposite and took a long time to bond even just a lil with the OH. I think it's just the dog but if u work on it- anythings possible. Try all the advise above ^^^

And take him special places that he loves just u n him, do training classes, teach him, ignore him sometimes, make things curious/interesting.

[Patty]

I agree totally with the hand feeding and the other advice you've been given. I just want to say be patient - it sometimes takes a long time for the bonding. We adopted a Basenji who'd lived with a lady for the first 9 years of his life. Mine was then a 5 male household and although Bernie bonded fairly quickly with my sons it took him a whole year to bond with my husband.

[MacPack]

First, congratulations! Second; I agree with all the others, be patient. Ours prefer me sometimes, my husband other times. Our newest guy bonded right away with husband, (I think he must have belonged to a nice man before us) but now he divides his attention between us. Also agree, let him wonder about you and seek you out, basenjis seem to gravitate to the humans that are least interested in them, like cats! Walks, training treats, patience and lots of love (but not smothering) will have a pup who loves you too!

[weitzel]

Okay thank you everyone for the helpful responses. Today is literally the third day we have had him so I know it's early. My boyfriend is going out tonight and I'm going to stay in with Maverick and try some training with him myself, and I'll take him for a walk, too.
Can someone explain to me what exactly hand feeding is? He still has to have his dinner so is it literally him eating it from my hand?

[lvoss]

Yes, hand feeding means that all of his food comes directly from your hand. It doesn't have to be one kibble at time he is not eating from a bowl. You can use meals to reward good behavior or during a training session.

[weitzel]

@agilebasenji:

You may want to take him to a positive training class. There are many, many fun things available in dogsports right now - agility, rally, nosework, tracking, flyball, free style, etc.

Where and how would I find these classes in Vancouver? We're starting his obedience classes Tuesday but I would love to join something like this he may enjoy more but no idea where to find them. I just googled it and not having much luck

I will try hand feeding tonight

[Moth]

Not sure about where you are, but when I am looking for classes I started by googling for dog trainers in my area. I also talked to people at the local humane society, and looked up our local kennel club.

The place I go to for my obedience classes is also a doggy day care and offers some for fun type classes as well.

[agilebasenji]

@weitzel:

Where and how would I find these classes in Vancouver? We're starting his obedience classes Tuesday but I would love to join something like this he may enjoy more but no idea where to find them. I just googled it and not having much luck

I will try hand feeding tonight

Try looking for dog training places, NOT big box shop training stuff.

examples
this place has an intro to clicker class
http://dizinecanine.com/classes

this has a canine good citizen class
http://www.hnk9.com/group.html

this some agility: (but normally you'll need an obedience or pre-agility class first) and a Sdao seminar class coming up and check out the training tips link!
http://www.dogsmart.ca/programs.html

this one also has agility/obedience
http://www.balancedcanine.ca/dog_training_classes.cfm

You will want to get a few possibilities and go watch a class with the trainer you'll be taking classes from. See if it seems like a good fit. Listen to your gut. If the trainer is telling people how to jerk the leash, you can cross that off your list! Here's some tips on finding an agility class (or any sort of training class)

https://www.basenji.org/BasenjiU/Activities/Agility/Find/AClass.html

Anyway , that's a start for ya.

[agilebasenji]

I should say i just googled those links and I don't know anything about the individual places.

[Shaye's Mom]

@weitzel:

Can someone explain to me what exactly hand feeding is? He still has to have his dinner so is it literally him eating it from my hand?

Yup, that's exactly what it is. Giving him other stuff besides dinner from your hand is also good - treats, veggies that he may like, etc.

[Kipawa]

Amber Cottle runs a great training school in Delta - offers classes, individual private lessons and doggie daycare. She is promoted by many veterinarians in the Tsawwassen, Ladner, Delta area.

http://ambercottle.com/

Kipawa took his puppy classes there. We were very happy with the basics that were taught and will be looking at other classes, maybe agility. I tried another dog training facility in Vancouver (DogSmart) but was not impressed as the training was not based on positive reinforcement. After 2 sessions we left the class. The owner/head trainer locked a dog in a dark closet for barking. One dog got mouthy (teeth on flesh, but not biting) with an owner and the trainer yelled at it SUPER loud (startled the dogs AND the people), grabbed a leash, put it on the dog and threw the dog outside and closed the door (the leash was around the inside door knob). This was in just ONE class, our second class. I didn't even ask for a refund. Seriously, I was so disgusted I did not want to waste my energy dealing with them.

[lvoss]

You can find Nosework Instructors by going to the North American Canine Scent Work website, http://www.nacsw.net

Also, though there are only a couple right now in BC, many new people are getting trained in this fun new sport, but I would make sure you go to someone who is an ANWI, CNWI, or at the very least enrolled in the Instructors in Training Program. The philosophy of the organization is a big part of why this sport is so good for all dogs.

[Lysh]

How's the bonding going?

[TwinDogsDifferentMothers]

A couple of quick suggestions on bonding with your Basenji.

First thing I would do if you are up to it is take him for a long walk. By long walk I mean a couple of miles. This is a wonderful time to bond because you have the alone time together, you are going new places with new smells, and migration is something that is natural. In a lot of ways walking as a pack be it you and the dog, or you, your boyfriend and the dog, you are forming a pack.

The second thing I would do is allow this dog some lap time. My basenjis really like their lap time and the special pets and attention that they get. I found once I let them take a nap in my lap they bonded with me pretty quickly.

Since this basenji has only been with your three days, if you have an old tshirt that you are willing to give up, wear it around the house for the day and then put it in his crate. What you are doing is getting him comfortable with your scent. This will also help you bond quickly.

Yes you can feed your Basenji from your hand, but I think you are better off finding a special treat. If he does not already know, teach him to sit and when he does treat him. If you repeat this a couple of time and treat him, he will also start to bond with you and appreciate the treat more. Dogs do love to please their owners. Basenji's might be independent, but they are still dogs.