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Collar and Leash

Behavioral Issues

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4 Oct 2009, 13:51

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  • V

    Not wanting to be put on leash

    Behavioral Issues
    23 29 Mar 2022, 13:56
    29 Mar 2022, 13:56
    1 Votes
    14 Posts
    2k Views
    S
    @eeeefarm said in Not wanting to be put on leash: @scagnetti said in Not wanting to be put on leash: Also, I've not had any experiences with Basenjis of a certain age deciding to be any more difficult than they already were. Incidentally, what is this age or age range? Typically when they start to mature, maybe 18 months/2 years, but is variable with the dog, and it isn't just Basenjis. I've seen this a lot with people who have reliable pups, and I think "wait for it"! The pup is growing up, testing boundaries, and folks often make mistakes when this happens, which allows the dog to realize "I don't have to do that if I don't want to". Think teenagers! To me, a recall is never optional, so I don't ask for one if I don't think I can get it. Never poison your command word! And it doesn't matter where, if I say come I mean it, so if the dog blows me off in the house I will go get him and bring him to where I was when I asked for the behaviour. No exceptions, not even when I was busy doing something else. Same with "no". If I am for instance on the phone and the dog gets into something, if I say "no" and the behaviour continues I will drop the phone and go enforce the "no". Letting stuff go is a quick route to an unresponsive dog. I think I am informed by my horse experience. Nobody needs 1000 lbs. of "I don't want to"! So you don't allow exceptions to important matters. I should add, I am old. When I first started training dogs, nobody used food rewards. Praise was sufficient. It still is, with many breeds. (my Border Collie was completely uninterested in food when he was working). Basenjis and other hound and terrier breeds are definitely more interested in "what's in it for me" so you need to give them a reason other than pleasing you. Food works for some, consequences are also a great motivator once the dog understands them, and being intuitive about when to use which is why good trainers get great results. Making the reward valuable is important. Anything too readily available loses its value, which is why if you are using food you need to move to a variable schedule once the behaviour is understood and on cue. Think casinos. Dogs, like people, are motivated by the expectation that this time will be the winner! Ah, yes, I thought you meant the rebellion tendencies were specific to or more pronounced with Basenjis. Definitely after puppyhood the rebellious behavior starts, which is why obligation must be taught, and this is the case for all breeds. I agree completely with what you say. And after variable rewarding, it moves to random rewarding.
  • E

    Leash Aggression or Protective Instincts?

    Behavioral Issues
    23 26 Mar 2021, 00:26
    26 Mar 2021, 00:26
    1 Votes
    6 Posts
    1k Views
    D
    She may also be getting less forgiving of bad behavior as she gets older. In my experience adult Basenjis adhere to a certain code of conduct when meeting new dogs. Part of that is approaching slowly and not immediately getting in their face. They expect similar behavior from other dogs. A dog running up to them would violate the standard and might elicit a snark and a response. As long as it's not overly aggressive I wouldn't give it a thought. Chalk it up to a good learning experience for the other dog. FWIW they have a different standard for puppies. They will give them more leeway. Doesn't mean they won't snark at them but it's more like trying to dissuade them -- defense not offense.
  • K

    Flexi leash works fine for Lela and Binti

    Behavioral Issues
    23 4 Jul 2014, 13:07
    4 Jul 2014, 13:07
    0 Votes
    13 Posts
    14k Views
    D
    @Chealsie508: fewf Pat, I was starting to feel like the odd man out! ….And guilty-- three and a half years of a minimum of three walks a day-- and I cant for the life of me keep Oakley from pulling or at the very least, having tension on the leash. I wish it would change but I have tried lots I hate hate hate having a dog pull on me. Maybe because I always have had Rottweilers and Chows, it is my number one training rule… no pulling. Period. Ever. The second a dog pulls we go back to training. As a result, my then 40 pound child could do obedience (well it was to train her, the dog was trained) with my 110 pound Rottweiler. And i do it without jerking. Ever. From rescued feral dogs on, persistent training can stop pulling. When I go to the farm, I put them on a LONG LINE and let them explore, I don't expect and they know that is more of a free time. But on a walk, no. Slightest tension and we stop and/or back up til the pulling stops. http://www.clickerlessons.com/looseleash.htm
  • W

    Leash issues

    Behavioral Issues
    23 11 Jun 2012, 13:17
    11 Jun 2012, 13:17
    0 Votes
    5 Posts
    4k Views
    D
    I agree. It upsets me to see people walking with Flexis and their dog attacks some other dog because they're not paying attention, or don't know how to work the trigger mechanism properly. I've come to think that maybe people in cities just shouldn't use them because errors will inevitably occur…humans will be humans. I live in the country though, and there's no one around where I walk my dog. The long Flexi is the best choice for me because I like to let my dog explore some on her own when we're on walks, and she can run here and there while still not being able to take off. Not every situation is the same for everyone. If I were in the city or around people and congestion I'd probably use a 5 or 6 ft. fixed lead.
  • B

    On-Leash Snarking

    Behavioral Issues
    23 31 Oct 2008, 23:59
    31 Oct 2008, 23:59
    0 Votes
    12 Posts
    5k Views
    J
    @sharronhurlbut: Training with treats will work, if you take it slow. Clicker training works as well. I was going to say the same thing. I would carry a treat bag with me, and a clicker when out on leash. Use the clicker to mark correct behavior, i.e., sitting calmly while another dog passes. If my dog gets snarky on leash, I promptly stand in front of him, and put him in a sit/wait with a focus on ME (not the other dog). if he persists, I simply become a "goalie" and continue to block his path, get eye contact, and again, get a sit/wait.
  • S

    Leash aggression??

    Behavioral Issues
    23 14 Jun 2007, 02:35
    14 Jun 2007, 02:35
    0 Votes
    13 Posts
    6k Views
    B
    @Quercus: That sounds ideal! I do love the head collars…the ONLY drawback is so many dogs have fits when they wear them. But the control is awesome, particularly for reactive dogs. Glad it is working for you! Oh yes, Talker had a fit when he was younger and I tried the collar. I gave up because I felt so bad for him. I don't know what changed this time–whether I was calmer or he mellowed out or what, but he accepted the halti this time around and I'm loving it. There were so many times that he would be so anxious to be out walking that getting him to stop pulling was tiresome and the walks were not enjoyable. We were constantly stopping and starting and stopping and starting to re-adjust ourselves. Now, we just walk. Loving the halti!:)