@karann - The key in my opinion is to visit with Basenjis before you get one... Of course I always recommend that regardless. But for allergies, ask the owners to prepare a small towel that the Basenjis will sleep on for a few days... take that home and put it under your pillow.... will give you a good idea if your allergies will kick up
Newish owner needs advice
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You don't want to use the collar for a couple of reasons. One reason is that many dogs react poorly to having their collar grabbed. The other reason is that you want to do everything you can to build positive associations with collar grabs because if your boy every gets loose that is what someone trying to get him off the street is probably going to reach for so you want him to be happy that someone is reaching for the collar not thinking something negative is coming next.
You want the reward for getting off the couch to be something really spectacular since it has to compete with how rewarding being on the couch and with his people is. For most dogs praise and a belly rub is high enough value reward to compete with losing couch priviledges. A piece of duck jerky or even a stuffed Kong that he can enjoy in his crate or on his mat would really help to cement the idea that really good things happen when I am not on the couch.
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He sounds like a normal young male, starting to be territorial. Is he intact, or neutered? Sometimes that makes a difference. And I agree that the whole "alpha" and dominance theories are rather outdated. We just work at having happy dogs, and they seem to sort things out pretty well on their own. All the furniture belongs to all of us, no need to claim any of it!
As for rain, get a big umbrella and go out with him, keep him under the umbrella if he will, and then reward well for going to the bathroom, get him back in and dry him off and make a game of it. He won't necessarily like it but you will have a clean dry house.Basenjis (in my experience) are much easier if you just let them think it's their idea and then they will do what you want! Much more fun to outsmart your basenji than to try and 'out-alpha' him, that is a long and unrewarding relationship for everyone, IMHO.
Set him up for success and reward accordingly. Don't disturb a sleeping animal of any sort, some wake up very badly, nothing personal! Walk and praise, and for a young basenji, pulling like a demon is pretty natural and requires a lot of work to improve .(age helps, my oldsters hardly pull at all!)
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How old was your boy when you got him?
Had any training been done with him?
And as asked previously, who is the breeder?
Have you called or just emailed them with the issues you are having?
Giving them the benefit of the doubt, they me out of email access _.I agree with the leash…
but I completely disagree with NOT allowing your dog on the couch.
WHY have a companion that is small and lap size if you can't or won't be cuddling with it?
Petting on the head just isn't the same as cuddling up next to your buddy.I also agree with Pat on letting sleeping dogs lie.
Heck, when I was a kid and someone tried to wake me, my arms always tended to fly and whatever or whomever was in the way sometimes got the backhand :-)_ -
but I completely disagree with NOT allowing your dog on the couch.
WHY have a companion that is small and lap size if you can't or won't be cuddling with it?
Petting on the head just isn't the same as cuddling up next to your buddy.I also agree with Pat on letting sleeping dogs lie.
Heck, when I was a kid and someone tried to wake me, my arms always tended to fly and whatever or whomever was in the way sometimes got the backhand
LOL Kathy, I think I remember that!!!! :eek: now I am really showing my age!
And I agree with you also about the couch…
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Getting him into a gentle obedience class, as suggested earlier, will help you and your dog learn to "talk" to each other.
It does…... -
Well, he growls even when you try to move him (NOT SLEEPING) on the couch to sit down or get comfortable. So since he has territorial aggression he isn't allowed on the couch, it's our couch not his. when we want to cuddle we go down on his level on the carpet and he cuddles with us there and doesn't growl when we move him.
He ws 10 weeks when we got him, we have done some training with a professional and i do lots on my own, he is VERY persistant and stubborn. -
what is gentle obedience class>? We have been trying Alpha training ( someone trained by Bill Paterson) if you just do treat training/clicker training then don't they only listen when you have a treat/clicker? especially since he is sooo stubborn
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In general, it is best when you want a dog to move not to touch him but instead ask him to move by calling him over to you using his name, using hand targeting or a command like go to mat to send him to a different location.
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what is gentle obedience class>? We have been trying Alpha training ( someone trained by Bill Paterson) if you just do treat training/clicker training then don't they only listen when you have a treat/clicker? especially since he is sooo stubborn
In doing Alpha training, you are creating a relationship built on fear and punishment. And you are setting yourself up for a "no" win battle. And in a battle of wills, trust me, you will lose and someone may get hurt.
Reward based training does not set them up for just behaving when you have a treat, as the reward can be a pet, word praise, and/or treats.
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In my opinion alpha training is not based on fear and punishment at all but on respect. All it is is using umbilical training and lots of physical exercise for the dog to watch me and follow my directions instead of doing his own thing. there is no punishment or fear involved. But I also believe in using lots of positive reinforcement and love guess I believe in a balanced approach.
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In general, it is best when you want a dog to move not to touch him but instead ask him to move by calling him over to you using his name, using hand targeting or a command like go to mat to send him to a different location.
but what if you are in the bed or on the couch and you need to move and they are leaning on you, do you then give the command?
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I am really confused here…
you aren't allowing him on the couch...
but you are letting him on the bed?
That is how the last post reads, it is quite confusing.I also agree that the alpha training [which is not what you are describing] is a set-up for failure… in one way or another... and usually ending in someone getting hurt/bit/etc.
In all my years of having Basenjis... the very best way to get anything out of them, is REWARD BASED TRAINING. It gives them a reason to want to do something for you. Not to do it just because you are the human and they are the dog.
After all, why go fetch the stick that the stupid human threw?? Leave that for the Labs that can't think of a good reason not to get it.
I have never seen Alpha Training that works with a Basenji in the long-term. -
Sorry for not being clear. No not allowed in the bed or on the couch, I was just trying to figure how I could have him do those things when in the past he was growly and nippy when moved. He used to be allowed to do both because that is what we wanted ( and he LOVES it) but he would growl and snarl when we nugged him or moved him to get comphy. I will try treat training, but I would love him to be able to get exercise by fetching.
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Perhaps as basenjis are so darn intelligent (and a bit stubborn) training needs to start very very early. Regarding alpha training, does it not come naturally even if you are using reward based training? I guess what I mean is, will any training set the human up as the alpha?
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I would suggest you investigate the methods of other trainers. Not all techniques work equally well with all dogs; we are telling you that this particular way of training often backfires with Basenjis, and creates the exact problem you were trying to eliminate.
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Andrea what would you suggest for leash pulling
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As Andrea says, some training methods work better with certain breeds.
Step back and look at your situation: what you are currently doing IS NOT WORKING or you wouldn't have these problems and be asking for suggestions.
Consider starting all over with methods that folks here (who have had basenjis for many years) are suggesting. Like people, different dogs learn and respond differently, continuing to do something that is not working will likely not give you the results you want. I suggest reading "The Other End of the Leash" by Dr. Patricia McConnell, or other books that people have recommended.
When I am doing something that isn't working, I need to stop and look with fresh eyes and re-evaluate my approach. Especially if the situation is getting worse.Good luck to you!
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Perhaps as basenjis are so darn intelligent (and a bit stubborn) training needs to start very very early. Regarding alpha training, does it not come naturally even if you are using reward based training? I guess what I mean is, will any training set the human up as the alpha?
If you read the link i posted above it debunks the whole alpha theory. The studies they used to create the basis for alpha training have all been disproved over the years. Alpha dogs/wolves in packs are not violent or aggressive leaders, rather it is the beta and lower dogs that are constantly fighting for the hierarchy. It is really interested to read about how an actual pack functions.
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Just want to add that I agree with the positive/reward based training. It is the way to go for happy and harmonious life with your Basenji, or any other dog or cat for that matter.
The whole Alpha role and the rigid pack structure in relation to domestic dogs - and in fact wolves has now been retracted by the very people who first popularised it - see David Mech http://www.davemech.org/news.html.
Also I hate the term 'stubborn' when used with Basenji's - they are more than willing to do something if you show them there is a valid reason for it. If they are not doing something its not their fault you've not shown them why its in their best interest to do it. And quite rightly, my boy will not go out into the rain unless I go with him - if he has to get wet so do I - I can't fault his logic on that :rolleyes:
I would recommend the Patricia McConnell book too. I also like Jean Donaldon's 'The Culture Clash' for making me view things from a dog's perspective. I've also just ordered her book, 'Train your dog like a Pro' which I hope will also give some extra insights and tips on getting the best out of my boys.
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The training might not be working but I also believe in giving something time. Thanks for your opinions I will keep them in mind. I am not sure if I am using the right word "Alpha" for the training because it's neither violent or aggressive, it's just umbilical training. I want my dog to obey me from respect and love not because he is waiting for a treat, I dont believe in tricking my dog into obedience. I was just curious and looking for tips to help with the nipping and pulling on the leash, still really haven't recieved that info just arguing againt alpha training.Thanks all the same.
