Skip to content

Training Devices for Anti-Pulling - I vote for Sporn

Basenji Training
  • As we all know leash training a basenji is a daunting task, especially the pulling. Martingales are nice, but to train the dog up into not pulling, I don't think its a good step, because well they still pull.

    So my first step was the gentle leader, I trained my boxer on it and so thats where I started. My review is that it's still a great product. Tiggy will wear it and does great on it, but I found it's not good for extended wearing (several hours, meaning going out to events or picnicking, anything that is longer than about 45 minutes).

    Next I tried him on the Gentle Leader Easy Walk harness. Didn't buy, just tried it on in the store, review there not good for a basenji. Basenji's are on many things I've found to be a "in-between" sort of dog. Here's why I say that, I tried the small on Tig and extended out all the way, it did fit bordering between snug and too tight and the straps are thin (about the width of a cat collar) so I didn't like that, so I tried the medium on him. Well heres the in-between part, every part of it tightened it was way to big for him. I also know that he'd out grow the small because he's only eight months.

    Moving on, I tried on the Sporn, well the normal Sporn small, I again ran into the to tight extended out all the way problem. I then tried on the medium, cinched the collar as tight as it would go, still a little loose around the neck but the rest made up for it. SO….I got it (wasn't happy that the collar part was red, but I'd survive. I had it for about 2 weeks and Tiggy does great on it. But I still couldn't get over the red collar, and there was so much extra strap from the piece that sits over the shoulders (for those that don't know the Sporn I'm attaching pictures below) that when Tiggy was pulled in close I'd end up be holding the ring.

    Then to my excitement I discovered the Sporn mesh harness, debated over it for a week, then Tiggy and I went to the store and I tried it on him. Guess what, the small fits perfect with room for growing, and unlike the original version he'd sometimes choke himself, there was no choking, we walked around the store in it for about 10 minutes, and well I left it on him, paid and we walked out. It does the safe thing as the original but fits better and his normal collar doesn't get in the way of the collar that comes with the original sporn.

    Okay so here's the pictures, first we have the Original Sporn Training Harness LINK

    This it the one I just got the Sporn Non-Pulling Mesh Harness LINK

    Also to end my long thread, the mesh one you just slip over the dogs head and slip the legs through and then tighten the cordlock

  • @WBL:

    Next I tried him on the Gentle Leader Easy Walk harness. Didn't buy, just tried it on in the store, review there not good for a basenji. Basenji's are on many things I've found to be a "in-between" sort of dog. Here's why I say that, I tried the small on Tig and extended out all the way, it did fit bordering between snug and too tight and the straps are thin (about the width of a cat collar) so I didn't like that, so I tried the medium on him. Well heres the in-between part, every part of it tightened it was way to big for him. I also know that he'd out grow the small because he's only eight months.

    The Easy Walk Harness by Premier sells tweener sizes. You can order a S/M which fits a basenji pretty nicely. The straps are the same width as the Medium but the size is between a medium and a small. The tweener sizes are not carried at the stores but most trainers who sell them will have them and will make sure that they are properly fitted to your dog. Three of my puppy people use them and are very happy with the results.

  • @lvoss:

    The Easy Walk Harness by Premier sells tweener sizes. You can order a S/M which fits a basenji pretty nicely. The straps are the same width as the Medium but the size is between a medium and a small. The tweener sizes are not carried at the stores but most trainers who sell them will have them and will make sure that they are properly fitted to your dog. Three of my puppy people use them and are very happy with the results.

    Great to know, thank you. I'll look them up online

  • One thing I would recommend, if you are showing your dog, be careful using any type of harness.. they can and do alter the front shoulder movement and dogs stop using their shoulders in a straight forward movement and start a swinging motion.

  • @tanza:

    One thing I would recommend, if you are showing your dog, be careful using any type of harness.. they can and do alter the front shoulder movement and dogs stop using their shoulders in a straight forward movement and start a swinging motion.

    Good point, and that I do know, I should add that for Tiggy, I only use these devices when we go into places like Pet Smart or when we're in Germany out on the town shopping. Gives more control in crowded places. As for normal walks we use just a hound collar. When we are in busy crowded places Tiggy is still learning to behave like he does when we walk through the neighborhood and trails.

  • If you have never seen the Easy Walk Harness here is a basenji wearing the s/m.

    attachment_p_36952_0_ringooffleash.jpg

1/6

28 Feb 2008, 22:51

Suggested Topics

  • Inconsistent training

    Basenji Training 16 Jun 2013, 01:51
    0 Votes
    14 Posts
    7k Views
    @Kosuzu: I will get into agility when he is a little older, his bones are still too immature for that yet. I would also like to get Khalani into becoming a "therapy" dog as he has a beautiful nature, He can't be assessed for that until he is at least 18 months old. You must tell me more about the "skateboard", does he ride it? Have you ever videoed your agility, I'd love to see that. There are a few youtube videos of Zest! doing agility. Just seach "Zest Agility" and the r/w little basenji is mine. Those are all from her Novice days. She's now in Excellent. We've had quite a few set backs, but she has achieved her excellent agility titles in AKC. You can see my other 2 here: https://www.basenji.org/BasenjiU/Activities/Agility/AOb/stacles.html All but the dogs on the table are mine. Zest is also the star of the Agility Manuevers videos. Hopefully, you'll be able to find a local agility class. There are lots of foundation work you can do with puppies before you start doing jumps and weaves. The other two (Digital the brindlewonderkid and Jet the trying) are retired, but have certainly done a lot. Therapy work is so rewarding! You'll love it. Z and I are off to the Alzheimer's facility tomorrow. Both my boys also really loved it.
  • Training Blog

    Basenji Training 11 Aug 2011, 03:39
    0 Votes
    4 Posts
    3k Views
    This a very interesting article, Andrea. I'm not a professionla trainer and only have little experience in the field of professional dog trainers here. Those I do know mainly use positive reinforcement but I also know some old school trainers who while professing to now use positive reinforcement do rather confuse the two. I love and totally agree with his statement that 'training is not something we do to our dogs: its something we do with them'. This I think sums up completely the way we need to train our Basenjis for the best results. Toughand Prissy, thank you for posting that excellent video link.
  • Recall training

    Basenji Training 24 Mar 2011, 15:48
    0 Votes
    4 Posts
    3k Views
    I also have a Verizon air card USB - the video may use it all up. Also, instead of using the laptop with the air card, I used my home computer to call it up and found you have to subscribe to something in order to watch - it's my policy not to do that. So, even though the video may be great, you do have to sign up with something to do so.
  • Training words

    Basenji Training 28 Feb 2010, 18:25
    0 Votes
    7 Posts
    2k Views
    What an interesting article - I must say I do use 'No' but in future will think first before I say it!
  • Show Training

    Basenji Training 12 Apr 2009, 02:19
    0 Votes
    2 Posts
    2k Views
    Have you tried to contact anyone in the Tucson Kennel Club? http://www.azdogs.com/tkc/ They don't have much of a website, but do have email addys for the President and Secretary. There are likely other kennel clubs in the area also
  • Training classes?

    Basenji Training 15 Dec 2008, 11:20
    0 Votes
    17 Posts
    6k Views
    @tanza: I think you are waiting too long. You should have two complete sets of shots before class. Waiting till they are 15/16wks you are missing critical socialization skills. Waiting for "all the shots" is pretty much old school these days. My pups go out even before that to things like lure trials… you just need to be careful and not let them "get" into anything like "old poop" laying around. I'm planning on taking her around the time of the 2nd shots if I can. But the problem is that the next round of puppy classes doesn't start till the last week of March, which would be around 14 weeks anyway. Maybe they will let me join the last half of the previous class but I'd have to check into that.