And 2 is in some ways easier than 1, at least for us. Loki is a very dog loving dog…his first time of going through an agility chute was because he was following another dog. All the others followed a tennis ball....mine, nope, but another dog worked. Funny enough, when Loki was a puppy, on more than one occasion I commented that we should have gotten a B puppy after already having a dog to help keep him entertained!
We take ours for lots of short rides in the crate to local parks and then take them for nice fun play walks to wear them out, they soon associated the crate with going some place fun and did not hesitate to run in their crates.
It's really hard to tire Ava out. She has an endless supply of energy. That's why I had hoped for doggie daycare or daycamp, but she does not yet have enough manners or bite inhibition to be accepted. We are working on that, but it doesn't much bother her if she hurts someone– human or furry-- with her little razor teeth. But that is getting better now that she has lost so many of her baby teeth. She has eight big girl teeth in front and is no longer gnawing like a termite on everything in sight!
We are going to try the dolphin on a "leash" tomorrow.
just wanted to know how the dophin on a leash did. Update?
The pink dolphin went out for a spin and it worked pretty well. The Princess didn't want to give it up, though, and wasn't as accommodating as Zest about being reeled in with her prize. But she gave it up for a yummy treat, and we got in a few good retrieves before she was distracted by blowing leaves… and the garbage truck... and the barking dogs next door... I try to keep her training sessions brief, because her attention span is so short. We'll keep working with Dolphin every day. 
Did I mention that Ava barks? Yep. Only once or twice at a time, but definitely a bark.
Z was not real keen on giving up blue bird at first, but she soon realized that she got a treat and became more accomodating.
C-Me barks too…
Loki does a little bark/boof. Kaia really does a bark. Whether that's someone coming to the door or at something she sees that she's unsure of, she'll growl and bark. I have videos of it, but still need to see if any are very good.
Gambit barks too, especially when happy. For dog training tips, I find the Whole Dog Journal magazine has good advice.
LOL– so many barkers for a non-barking breed! When the dogs next door bark, Ava barks back. And she'll bark at the window if she sees someone outside or, like Kaia, if she's unsure about something. My kitchen trashcan has a self-opening lid and if Ava hops up and sets it off, she'll bark-bark at that... then back up and bark-bark some more. She's very vocal, but no yodels yet.
Thanks, Lisa! I like the Whole Dog Journal. I'll check out the tips.
Oakleys pretty mute, with the occasional baroo to hurry me along with preparing his supper. Sometimes I wish for more noise from him 
Kaiser has barked a few times one or two bark/woofs when alerted by someone he wasn't sure about only while in the yard and they are definitely not a normal bark, more a deep woof and we usually jump as he is otherwise so silent and it catches us off guard and I do actually enjoy it when I hear him it makes me laugh.
Jolanda and Kaiser
All these cute barkers– who knew! Spencer was also pretty mute, Chealsie, so it feels different to have a talker. Ava marches to her own tune-- that's for sure. I read these posts about all these other new puppies that are already housetrained, little angels in their crates and sleeping all night at 10 and 11 weeks, and it just makes me cry. Ava is almost twice that age.
Lol..she doesn't seem to care about what others want or do…she will get there, and when she does it will feel even more rewarding
I wish I still thought that. I really do.
I waited a good long while before things clicked for Oakley…well over 6months..at least 16 for the eye of the storm to pass..to this day (he's 28months) I'm still shocked at the progress he's made! I remember thinking, "this is going to be my life for the next 15 years!!"
Any new pics??
I wish I still thought that. I really do.
Hang in there! I really admire your tenacity.
Add my Perry to the list of Basenjis that bark. One of my others did as well. Usually not more than one bark at a time, usually when he feels threatened or excited by something, or frustrated waiting for treats or dinner.
I have been away for a week, so was hoping things with Ava had turned the corner by now. She sounds to me like a child trying to push the boundaries on every occasion. I do think a "reboot" in a different environment might just be the ticket…...if, and it's a big if…..you can find the right person to work with her.
Yes, finding the right trainer is an ongoing problem, and I don't want to leave her somewhere without knowing that she is in the best hands. I need a Basenji Whisperer, and I can't seem to find one.
I would be more likely to chalk part of it up to "owner error," except experienced trainers aren't doing any better. Admittedly, I have a soft touch and believe strongly in positive reinforcement. Some trainers– perhaps many-- rely on harsher methods with difficult dogs. I just parted company with the last trainer, because she said Ava couldn't be trained without a "sterner" hand-- i.e., a choke collar. When I couldn't go along with that, she said she couldn't help us. So that was that. I was glad to see her go.
Am I wrong? Am I being too soft? I know I have a difficult dog-- a stubborn, dominant and yes, a wild dog-- and that training her isn't easy. It's true that gentle discipline and positive reinforcement aren't really working so well. But I know there's a good dog in there. How do we reach her?
Am I being too soft? I know I have a difficult dog– a stubborn, dominant and yes, a wild dog-- and that training her isn't easy. It's true that gentle discipline and positive reinforcement aren't really working so well. But I know there's a good dog in there. How do we reach her?
I think there is a possibility that a different approach, i.e. a firmer hand, could work, but it takes a very experienced and observant trainer to get a little tougher without pushing too far. Some animals will not respect you without "proof" that they should, but it is a fine line. Overdoing discipline can land you in big trouble with the wrong critter (I had a horse who went from "stubborn" to "scared" in a split second, and you did not want to cross that line with him! Scared large animals are dangerous…...to themselves and others). But I have seen magic worked if the trainer is experienced enough to "read" the animal correctly. Tricky thing is finding that special trainer!!
