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The myth of "normal" dogs

Basenji Training

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  • How to stop basenji from "crying"

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    ?
    Can she see you from her bed? Try raising her crate up so she can see you and give her something old that smells like you….she is so young to have left her littermates, she will need extra reassurance! Hope you get a good nights sleep soon!
  • Training "STYLES"

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    listemeL
    I knew I was getting something all confused there! Thanks for the clarifications. Again, I blame the puppy. :D
  • People Who Still "Beat to Train"

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    QuercusQ
    @DebraDownSouth: I won't claim I have never smacked a dog… pop for effect not hard enough to hurt. But I also won't pretend it is good training or necessary. Is it abusive, no. But it is not good training. But then, I also think the best parents don't spank. I want neither my dogs or child to behave for fear of getting hit, even if the hit doesn't hurt. I want them to do what I want through training, rewards and punishments that do not include hitting. Good post!
  • Dog Training and the Myth of Alpha-Male Dominance

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    curlytailsC
    See, it is possible to offer a well-written article debunking the dominance theory. I really like Dr. Yin's blog. My point about the weaknesses of the original article (which I'm very glad was shared with us) is in its journalistic framing and rhetoric, not its content. I suspect that basenji owners have long been savvy to the advantages of positive training, but like Dr. Yin mentions, a couple decades ago, most trainers probably didn't. And thus, dominance techniques are still very much in circulation. I distinctly remember being told when I was a kid (this would be 1990) that the best way to handle our Golden Retriever jumping on us was to grab his front legs and knee him in the chest (not enough to hurt him, but enough to make him uncomfortable). And holding him down until he submitted, and holding his muzzle, and all this stuff that in retrospect was clearly not the best way to handle a hyperactive puppy that just wanted attention. But of all the videos we rented, books we checked out from our small town library, obedience classes my family went to, and the vet, nobody ever told us differently. It takes a long time to untrain the general populace on these kinds of widespread beliefs, long-ingrained through authority figures like vets and hired professionals and now TV celebrities. I just don't think pitting two celebrities against each other is the best way to do it, since that just offends their fandoms. It's disappointing to see such a backlash against what is ultimately supposed to be a good message put forth in the Time article. Instead, focusing on the techniques themselves, not the trainers, as those other articles Lisa linked, gets the point across much better.
  • Beach "Leash"

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    MacPackM
    I used one of those giant 'corkscrew' tie-outs at the beach and had 3 attached to it. I put it as deep in the sand as I could get it and it didn't budge…of course the sand was packed, rather than 'fluffy'. Be sure and provide an umbrella for shade, they get hot and like to go in and out of shade. Mine don't like the water, but do enjoy the beach! Anne in Tampa
  • Dog whisperer???

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    myranM
    I agree i´ve used those methods on all my dog´s(long before Cesar came along) not only the basenji and never has a dog questioned my leadership.But I always praise and i´ve never used force never had the need for it so there i´m different.These methods are common methods with working dog´s I used to have a Boxer and i´ve just adjusted certain parts of it to fit the Basenji ;) Many of the dog´s in that show are just left to "run wild" no training or excercise and instead lot´s of silly things with people who humanize their dog´s.And they looked surprised if they need to take walks jeez I take mine out 4-5 times a day and two of the walks are 6 miles and he he plays with other dog´s every single day to keep him socialized as he´s growing into adulthood.I also show train him every day not more then 10-15 minutes just to keep it fresh in his mind. What people tend to forget obedience training is something that you have to keep doing continuously as their memory is not like ours so you have to keep it fresh in the mind. I probably stated the obvious but I do agree with Jazzys mum:)