Posts made by BigV

So Taylor.rene you have a lot to think about . As I stated before you have to make your own mind up . As can be seen , some people have differing views . A little bit about my findings over the last 30 years is that every person who breeds dogs calls them self a responsible breeder? Some breeders have no problem with incest for the sake of a ribbon as (dogs aren't people )so what does it matter. It is all about titles not the betterment of the breed. Being involved with race horses I see it on occasions the result is known in the industry as (rattle heads) you can work out why. I must admit not all line bred animals have issues most are perfectly fine. Yes I am not a fan of line breeding but it seems that every zoo in the world has a similar view as they are always swapping animals to improve the genes . And I beleave they have the best people working and advising them. Having studied dingos for the past 15 years I can say without dought a bitch won't mate with relative instead they will stand for a farm dog on a chain to produce a litter . They are similar to basenjis in many ways. I am all for shows and bettering the breed it is just the way some people not all go about it. And to the ney Sayers my basenji hunts as they have done for the past 6000 odd years to survive . And my boy does have a title that no other basenji has . He is the first and only basenji to be approved by the Victorian State Goverment to be authorised to hunt deer on private and public land within its borders. But to some this would make him unsuitable to breed with you figure?

If you are looking at breeding you must be honest with yourself on why and what are your goals . When you are looking for a partner what do you look for? Does the partner you seek need a Phd or run 100metres in 11 seconds , so why does the dog need a title . Firstly I would not breed any dog under 3 years as they are still teenagers . I would not line bred as many show people do . When seeking a pup 3 years ago I approached 5 show breeders who were going to breed brindled dogs , 3 were struck off my list when I asked about the pups lineage and the forth was struck off when I found out the dog was being put to its grand mother . Would this be acceptable in humans? These were all top breeders I went with the fifth who was also a show person but had different lines constantly mixed with hers. You must decide . I have seen dogs at club days that I love the look of but in my view should never be bred as they had aggression issues but they have titles and are being bred. Abit off topic my pups I got 3 years ago will never see a show ring they are working dogs. My basenji pups sister won in the ring from puppy stage and got her AUS. Title , yet my boy was presented to a show judge for grooming and she claimed he was the best dog in the state she had seen. My Weimaraner pups brother is the best performed Wei in Australia yet mine will never be put in the ring . Yet I get lots of enquiries about pups because of my dogs temperament and working ability. I feel I do as much for the breeds as a show breeder by presenting true to type well balanced even temper dogs that the general public appreciate . You must decide on you want from breeding . To me you should be as proud of the pups you produce as you are of your children .

I don't want to sound personnel but if you are in control why does he keep showing aggression to other intact dogs. By taking him away from the other dog is not teaching him not to be aggressive . He may see you as boss but he wants to be second in charge and see,s all other intact dogs as a threat to his position. Don't be to proud to use a muzzle , and as I said take out to mix with intact dogs . As he can't hurt them and will soon relize,s this you need to stand up and let him know your displeasure using voice and physical presence and a small water pistol as he will hate being squirted. You should find the water pistol works a treat. I would do this every few days until his stops the aggressive behaviour , then I would try without the muzzle but always keep the water pistol with you and let him see it as he will remember what happens when he acts up. This is a method I have used to help mates control their pig dogs . I am by far an expert and are always prepared to Liston to others thoughts as this is how I learn.

The problem is you didn't stop it when it first happened. He is trying to be top dog when that should be you. You have let him develope a very bad habit and it is always hard trying to rectify. If it was me I would put a muzzle on him and put him in with some intact dogs this is something he will hate, but he won't be able to hurt them and there is a good chance they will put him in his place. This may take awhile but he has to learn his place. You will just have to be patient and watch him closely the first time you leave the muzzle off as he may try to act up again so have the muzzle with you and show him you have it and will put it on him as you must again be the leader.

You raised some valid points in regard to breeders mating dogs for there conformation and no regard for demeanour . This is common with show breeders . Greyhound people won't mate aggressive dogs as they can't be raced so no point continuing the line. I have used basenji,s for the past thirty years and all were intact dogs run with another dog of a different breed and none were aggressive to other dogs . I could not take a dog out if it was aggressive as most other hunters use a dog of a large size that would put a basenji in its place if it was aggressive . I repeat in saying it is the owner who must lead from day one as basenji,s will try to be boss if you let them. By accident I leant what to do to train a basenji . My boy walks off lead sits ,stays comes when called , just as any dog can do but again it is up to the family to put the time in . All I know is my method has worked for me . Once a basenji has been allowed to develope a bad habit it is very hard to break so only let them develope goods ones from the start and you are half way there. Never ever let a basenji be boss . Aggression should never be allowed and if the early work is done they will never show any . No need. If the dog starts to get aggressive let it know your feelings through your voice and physical presence and never back down . They read us like a book so you have to write it.

This seems a common problem in the breed but it has nothing to do with intact dogs . It is your job to socialise a pup from early on to stop it happening . To those that don’t agree look at a basenjis origins as a pack dog and all dogs were intact but they all get along. It is the odour of the other dogs they react to. I have had my dogs at club days and had every basenji growl at them because people do not do early training and except this is the basenji way .

For me it was easy I just bought him up with another dog that was trained to do as commanded . I should be ashamed of myself as I have not had one one on one training session with him but he sits stays and comes to my signal. I have found if you get them young and work them with a good dog they pick up good habits. I feel they do there best when they can exercise but just don't let them chase things of it will end with trouble.

Yes my pups doing well , to date I have taken 3 deer off my boys and having trouble posting pics. Les is developing into a nice dog so much so that I got feedback for the dog groomer down the road who just happens to be a credited show judge that he is the best basenji she has seem . This put the lady she told nose out of joint as her dogs who were being groomed at the time both have Australian titles. He has impressed all that have seem him in the field as he works just like my Wei . They are truly two peas in a pod . The other day I introduced my Wei to water not to be outdone little Les followed him in swam the river and showed that he is a better swimmer than the Wei . I just may have one hell of a dog on my hands.

I hope you can see what he looks like Les ( basenji) is 3 months old and his big brother is Mac (Weimaraner) is 6 months old. As you can see Les just loves Mac and copy's him which makes my training a hell of a lot easier. He sit's well recalls to hand signal and will stay for me until 20 metres at present. I don't push him with anything I just let him do things at his pace . Having Mac for him to copy is my biggest asset. As you can see after a 30 yd track Mac was hesitant to get close to the deer but Les shows no fear , the pic was taken 30 seconds after we fond the hind as then I spent the next 3 minutes praising the pups.and start butchering. I will continue taking him up the bush every Saturday and take every deer they put up so as they learn what it is all about . So far they have given me great pleasure watching them learn to do what their ancestors did.

How do I use photo bucket as I have some pics of him in the bush and their first tracking job a sambar hind

Will do but not sure on how to post pics and videos . My knew pup is doing well and is copying the Weimaraner in most things . Although he has a strong interest in birds than fur scent but at 12 weeks I will just let things develope as nature intended..

Yes we all have our opinion but 6 times over 3 dogs in over 20 years I think is a good effort when my dogs had the pleasure of being able to run free. I to have a problem with e-collars and that is anyone can purchase them and the truth is you need to be of a stable mind to use it to get the desired result. I would also not recommend a basenji to most people as they wouldn't have the knowledge to be able to train and handle them so as they could be taken out in public. And anyone with money can purchase one that's why so many come up for re-homing. The funny thing is I could take my dogs anywhere off lead from the local park to a sheep station to the neighbours chicken coup we could sit on the hill 10 metres from feeding kangaroos with him not on a lead and I am sure he would not have minded the 2 tingles he got for the life time of pleasure. Funny people are against e-collars but most likely have a dog that has had its dew claws removed but that is ok because someone else cuts their toes off. Sorry for being so upfront but I hate being judged by people that have no right or knowledge of me and my dogs . When a international renowned dog trainer from the U.K comments on how well my basenji worked against top gun dogs I must be doing something right.

Hello I first start out when their 8 weeks old in building their trust and letting them realise everything that's good comes from me. As I have always had a Weimaraner I use them as my teacher . I will tie the pup up and let it watch me put the Wei through its paces , this seems to frustrate the hell out of the pup as they want to be running free and get in on being praised by me . While going through this stage I put the pup through his paces at feeding time getting him to sit. Stay &I come to a voice command as well as a hand signal. When he has gained a good understanding of these commands I let him join in with the other dog and the competition begins on who is going to please me and get my praise. I feel that basenjis thrive on this and don't want to be left out of anything . I never walk my dogs on a footpath where everyone else walks their dog as there is to many smells to distract them . Instead I walk my dogs down the centre of the road on a lead with the dogs rear end just in front of my left leg while telling the dogs heel and praising them . A dog used for hunting is useless heeling beside you as taught in dog schools . It must learn to walk in front of you so as you can see him and read his body language. While walking them I give the sit and stay command and walk away with their lead still on them as if they break they don't go far as they hate dragging the lead. When they do this well I start doing it without leads . Most of the lead work is done at night as less distractions. I always praise the dogs when things are done well but never when not performed to my standard. . I should let you know I never let my dogs roam of chase , they are guide dogs I use them to wind scent and when sit and wait is employed I use them as a rader as they have the ability to use their nose eyes and hearing to pick up animals better than all other breeds of dogs . I also put an E-collar on the dog when they start out in the bush and I must admit they are brilliant . I have only ever had to push the button about 6 times in 25 years. Each pup has only needed about 2 corrections when they got the urge to chase something . The great thing is you don't get upset the dog remembers that It shouldn't chase or it gets a tingle and everyone wins . This would be the hardest thing to train a basenji to not do chase .but the e-collar makes it simple as basenjis remember all bad experience,s. I hope this gives you an an insight into how I go about training dogs ,I don't claim to be an expert but have had some pretty handy dogs that others would be proud to own.

Not knew to the breed but to the forum . I have had 3 basenjis and due for my next in a couple of weeks. All have been used for hunting and have taught me more with each dog . My last dog was the best to date as I have learnt enough about them to be able to train him to work and be trusted off lead and can't wait for the next to arrive and start the process again .

Having had a few basenjis and only used them for hunting one thing I never let them do is chase as once you allow this it is hard to stop. Mine are used when whistling foxes or howling for wild dogs as they always see hear or smell the fox before me . I also use him for finding sambar deer and blood tracking the same way I use my gun dogs .