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Walking

Basenji Training
  • DebraDownSouthD

    @ryanp said in Walking:

    @ktiefen1 Hello - would you please share the type of harness that the behaviorist recommended? I have two basenjis and they're hunting instinct for squirrels and cats is taking its toll on my shoulder and back. Thank you!

    Behaviorists aren't in agreement on much of anything.

    Gentle Leaders have a lot of fans, but I'm not one of them. I believe in going back to step one and teaching your dogs not to ever pull on the leash. If someone is disabled or for some reason really needs one, that's different. But training your dog is best. If I had to use one, I'd back it with a harness or collar, especially walking 2 dogs, since getting out of one might be easier.

    Should add some DOGS need harnesses, not collars or head harnesses if they have neck injuries or even some eye issues. And even though I am not a big fan, they can provide more security. This article is from professionals and they prefer harnesses, as well as tell you how to choose:

    https://activepet.co.uk/dog-harness/

    Abstract
    The effect on intraocular pressure (IOP) from dogs pulling against a collar or a harness was evaluated in 51 eyes of 26 dogs. The force each dog generated while pulling against a collar or a harness was measured. Intraocular pressure measurements were obtained during application of corresponding pressures via collars or harnesses. Intraocular pressure increased significantly from baseline when pressure was applied via a collar but not via a harness. Based on the results of the study, dogs with weak or thin corneas, glaucoma, or conditions for which an increase in IOP could be harmful should wear a harness instead of a collar, especially during exercise or activity.>>
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16611932

    For harnesses, there are currently a lot of articles about research on harnesses, which work best with the least inhibition to natural movement. This is a great article on it for anyone on facebook:
    https://www.facebook.com/notes/tierphysiotherapie-brigitte-jost/reflections-on-chest-harnesses/1369929759778331/

    Debra

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    Easy Walk vs. Sense-ation harness.

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    My Gossy pulled tremendously for a long time and I tried all kinds of tips from different collars to harnesses – once she started wearing a harness, she slowed down noticeably. I have the EasyWalk (and measured her exactly as described) but it has so much hardware (metal adjustment buckles) that it kept slipping down her legs and she'd trip. Finally I put it on backwards (so the front strap goes over her back instead) and it works much much better - course that defeats the purpose of the original design but it does keep her in check. However, the thing that really worked the best ... I put her in a 3-week class on loose leash walking and wow what a difference that made. Effective and consistent training!
  • KipawaK

    Walking Kipawa - need your ideas

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    KipawaK
    @DebraDownSouth: I do 2 kinds of walks with my dogs, both do no permit pulling. On most walks, I like to use a longer leash and I allow them to sniff and do whatever… it is what is fun for them. On exercise walks, I make them heel and keep head up. That way they get that sometimes they can meander and sniff, other times it's business. I have never tried it, but I suspect you can teach sniff, then NO SNIFF lol. We do both on our walks, free leash and then heeling. But I would love him to have his head up more during free leash walking.
  • J

    Walks not enjoyable

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    Stinkers. ;)
  • S

    Using a harness for walks (Gentle Leader)

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    QuercusQ
    @SNA: I tried a head halter ages ago, for at least 3 weeks, but she just hated it. She kept trying to get it off, even after three weeks, and I just couldn't do it to her anymore. A couple of books I'm following at the moment say that head halters suppress rather than correct the behaviour. She's doing well now. Well, both the head halter, and the chest harness suppress the pulling behavior. You have to train the desired behavior at the same time. The idea is that you have to stop them from pulling, or else you can't make any progress training the correct behavior. Pulling is a self rewarding behavior; in their minds, they pull, and it makes them get to where they want to be. You have to stop that association, and retrain them that when the leash is loose you get to go where you want to be. Neither walking aide can do that, only the training.
  • M

    Help!!! Mishka cant walk with collar on…

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    tanzaT
    @JazzysMom: I am not a "show people" as I've never been in the ring, and only have the one dog that actually finished her championship, but I keep collars on my dogs 24/7. I used the rolled leather collars, and they don't leave any marks on the neck at all – necks are nice and smooth. Well, really they do leave marks… but they are pretty little.... I always don't leave collars on in the house for a number of reasons... (this is after they get used to them of course)... 1. I am always afraid that they will get a mouth caught in them when playing... and 2. they will/could get hung up on something... however that said, mine are not crated, as we have a doggy room for them.. and they have a doggy door to a secure fenced yard.
  • C

    Walking more than one at a time

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    WrobelzooW
    Thanks for the opinion. I will give a head halter a try.