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!!
So a choke collar might be an acceptable way to train in Ava's case? I believe that there is a way to do it using only the noise as a negative reinforcement (in much the way that the clicker is a positive reinforcement). I might not be so opposed to that, if someone knew exactly how to do it, but some of the trainers I've talked to believe in a physical correction, with the animal's behavior determining how "physical" the correction would be. As stubborn as Ava is, I would be afraid they would hurt her. She's such a little thing to be so mulish.
So a choke collar might be an acceptable way to train in Ava's case? I believe that there is a way to do it using only the noise as a negative reinforcement (in much the way that the clicker is a positive reinforcement). I might not be so opposed to that, if someone knew exactly how to do it, but some of the trainers I've talked to believe in a physical correction, with the animal's behavior determining how "physical" the correction would be. As stubborn as Ava is, I would be afraid they would hurt her. She's such a little thing to be so mulish.
I wouldn't use a choke collar. It's too easy to cause physical damage. And I don't know without seeing her that she is being alpha/stubborn. Certainly when she gets upset enough to have diarrhea, that is a sign of fear, not dominance.
The best trainers use only enough force to get the desired result, and it's likely wrong to label it force. More like pressure. Negative reinforcement, used correctly, is simply creating an uncomfortable situation that the animal would prefer to escape. "Fix it up and let them find it". After a bit, a little pressure or discomfort provokes a search by the animal for whatever turns off the pressure. With horses, you tend to use either pressure from reins or legs or a whip (used with a light tap that irritates, rather than causes pain). When the desired action happens, the pressure ceases. Dogs are not motivated the same way as horses, and are more inclined to resist pressure, even to the point of injury, as happens with collars and leashes on occasion. ( a relatively sharp jerk is likely better than allowing them to lean on the leash, however)
I think what differentiates a great trainer is their powers of observation. They see the intent before the action, and are able to circumvent it with a distraction or mild correction before the animal actually makes that mistake. Timing and consistency are what get you there. And patience!!
It's possible because of her level of fortitude that a more rigorous approach be needed…it sounds that she isn't responding to verbal cues so perhaps compromise and instead of a choke collar use a martingale which acts as a choke collar with a safety?? Again, whenever crossing over from verbal to physical cues an expert is recommended, I felt comfortable enough because I knew Oakley well to direct training as I saw fit..but I realize that isn't everyone's view...
Ps- I could whisper to him or scream from a megaphone and he ignores me, same if I away his bum to stop him from trying to steal my dinner..totally and completely ignores me...and isn't phased!!! ...the jerk
Have you done any of the relaxation protocal and read the Control Unleashed book? there is a yahoo group with lots of good info on reactive/over-the-top dogs. You can join, but you'll need to read the book before you post (to avoid redundancy) In the CU book she talks about clicking for relaxed breathing. I think there is a youtube out there of that sort of thing. The RP/mat work will help a dog to learn that life goes on around them and they don't have to get involved. (Click to Calm may also be a good book to look into) If you'd be open to moving to Colorado (and it is lovely here), i'd be happy to give some more hands on help
