Roxy's stubborn!

[Rxysmom]

HELP Me, she's more stubborn than I am!!!

I have a 4 year old Basenji named Roxy. Shes a sweet and loving girl (when she wants to be cuddled) and she really is the shining light of my day, but shes so stubborn! I have been able to teach her commands such as ,sit, down, leave it, trade, high 5, and speak. She's really very smart and she picks up VERY quickly, almost TOO quickly. That all sounds good and dandy except she never does things I ask her to do when I tell her to do them. I know she CAN, I just dont think she WANTS to! Shouldn't my DOG want to please her owner?! She seems to ….have to think about it first. It's as if she's deciding if it's worth her while! She tends to only do things if shes getting a treat in return! If she doesnt do it I do tend to repeat myself and that just makes her chuckle, I swear she's laughing at me in her mind. I try getting louder and she just ignores me or looks at me like "yeah right mom you and what army?!" I am getting so frustrated and Ive tried everything, dog trainers, daily sessions, etc she just doesnt feel like listening to me, oh and crate?! yeah RIGHT, she's learned how to open it and get out when Im not home. Does anyone have any ideas?

[jonny b.]

love her for who she is????
i just look at our boys like they are twin 2 year olds. my expectations are at a 2 yr.old level. that helps.

[jonny b.]

really really smart 2 year olds….. :0

[AJs Human]

@Rxysmom:

Does anyone have any ideas?

Yep…put a carabiner on the crate latch and just deal with the rest.

She's a Basenji. They are known for the cat-like behavior of thinking about a command before doing it. They have to weigh whether it is in their best interest to do what you want or to do something else.

Basenji are prized for their problem-solving and independent thinking capabilities. Most of us encourage this. They will not blindly and immediately follow commands like a golden retriever will. They're quirky, but IMO more rewarding than any other breed.

[NerdyDogOwner]

If your really want her to do tricks etc when YOU want, then you have to find the "magic" treat. Find what makes her to MAD over something. Starts licking her lips and is 100% fixed on you/it. Only give that treat when she does as you say, but not too often that she takes it for granted.

It took me some time to find what was Gizmos fix…sadly....it's fish, something I can't stand. But he goes nuts when he smells it, and seeing me holding a little piece he starts going in spins on the floor smacking his lips.
I give a command, and he will do it...sometimes will walk away, acting all hard to get, but it's too irresistible for him and he turns right back after a few steps..eventually he does the trick...hehe.

[Rxysmom]

I find that those little dog sausages are her favorite. She loves those things. I guess Im going to have to get used to her stubborn ways. I was thinking about putting a bunch of treat bags in various places in the house that way no matter where I am I can always reach for a treat….good idea?

[agilebasenji]

@Rxysmom:

I find that those little dog sausages are her favorite. She loves those things. I guess Im going to have to get used to her stubborn ways. I was thinking about putting a bunch of treat bags in various places in the house that way no matter where I am I can always reach for a treat….good idea?

YES. I use tea tins. And when we go out, sometimes I have treats in my pockets. Actually I usually have treats, but sometimes I share. And my pups never know when I'm in a generous mood. Make sure not to show her the treat and start with something easy for her, so she can learn the game of the hidden treats.

Also, don't think of her as stubborn. Think of her as challenging, and you're up for the challenge.

[Rxysmom]

AgileBasenji, Thank you, I think she'd really like that and it'd be fun for me too, also youre right! She isnt stubborn shes smart!!! lol

[MacPack]

I have heard it put this way: They work for their paycheck (treats) just like we do. they are not blindly obedient, but like Belinda said, they weigh their options.

For mine, a "command" is an "option" they have to decide how to deal with!

I think Roxy sounds like a typical smart basenji!

[Rxysmom]

You know, it kind of makes me laugh, because she looks at me like "uhmm….I thought about it, and no, no I will not do that..." and If she sees a treat and she doesnt do the command she still wants the treat so she starts to "baroo" at me! I think she thinks shes MY mom!

[AJs Human]

You're learning! It's not whether, but when your Basenji will have you trained.

[MacPack]

Rxysmom, Where in Florida are you? We are in the Tampa area, would love to get together if you are close.
Topper's Mom

[Rxysmom]

@MacPack:

Rxysmom, Where in Florida are you? We are in the Tampa area, would love to get together if you are close.
Topper's Mom

Unfortnately Im about 3 hours SE, in west palm beach!

[agilebasenji]

@Rxysmom:

AgileBasenji, Thank you, I think she'd really like that and it'd be fun for me too, also youre right! She isnt stubborn shes smart!!! lol

Yea, she trained YOU, didn't she.

[sharronhurlbut]

Think of your basenji like a cat…it will help you laugh, because she is catlike in her behaviors. She will never be a "dog"...

[Basenjimamma]

Sounds like you got a bunch of really good advice..I am glad I read through this..a few things I can add to my bag of tricks..like treats throughout the house..great idea..
Roxy sounds like a delightful little lady..she is lucky to have you..

[Kananga]

Sounds like a normal Basenji.

[thunderbird8588]

Rxysmum, in you first post you sound like you have weiged Roxy up correctly and the behaviours you describe are normal Basenji behaviour. They dont IMO, naturaly want to please their owners like most Dogs do. Like others have said they will weigh up whether there is anything in it for them and whether its worth cooperating. I suppose when they do cooperate we appreciate it more

[Shaye's Mom]

@Rxysmom:

HELP Me, she's more stubborn than I am!!!

That all sounds good and dandy except she never does things I ask her to do when I tell her to do them. I know she CAN, I just dont think she WANTS to! Shouldn't my DOG want to please her owner?! She seems to ….have to think about it first. It's as if she's deciding if it's worth her while! She tends to only do things if shes getting a treat in return!

Welcome to Basenji-World. My girls are the same - I think whereas DOGS want very much to please their OWNERS, Basenjis do not think like that. They consider themselves an equal part of the family. Some people have suggested that they aren't really dogs - they are their own little species.:p Mine can do the obedience thing too, when there's something in it for them. But simply because I said so? Hah. Maybe, and maybe not. I get the "what's in it for me?" look a lot.

[Patty]

Just typical brainy basenjis!!!

I have always found that contrary to conventional methods of training the praise or reward should come first and then the request (command?1)