Sniffing is so important, and I'm glad you mention it! It's a calming activity that wears dogs out (because they use their brain) and can prevent a lot of boredom/mischief. Which is especially helpful for those who have basenjis who lack focus for training, and/or have little interest in toys.
My Basenji (Zappi) goes crazy when he meets other dogs and especially small black dogs. he has a blackout and it is incredibly difficult to calm him down after such an encounter. do you have any tips? God vlog btw
I had the same with the rescues I was fostering. The best way is to catch the moment when the basenji saw the dog but the distance is still too big for the b to get into that fixated state, and then redirect their attention to you with treats. Then gradually decrease the distance. But with the rescue I had, he switched from calm to crazy in miliseconds, instantly as soon as he saw a dog, so it was not possible to catch that moment. Here is what I was doing: I was taking him to a dog park but we stayed outside at a distance. The moment he was getting into that blackout mode when seeing the dogs I would strongly control the leash and do a 'bear hug'. There are variations of that hold you can try whats more comfortable for you, e. g holding one hand firmly under the collar at the back, the other hand wrapped around his chest. or both hands wrapper around him tightly so he cant escape and his movements are restricted. I was holding him like this while he was frustrated and wiggling and trying to get out. I would firmly maintain the hold and not letting go, talking to him in a calm voice. this can take 10 minutes but eventually the dog gives up and stops resisting, and calm down. the moment he stops, I would praise and let him go immediately. Quickly he would get pumped up again by looking at the dogs, then I repeat. usually with every next time he would calm down quicker. by repeating this excersise several days his reaction to other dogs reduced in intensity and he would calm down quicker and eventually would be able to listen and even take treats. good luck with your boy!
thank you, love this video. This is so helpful! My b has a tendency to pull when he sees other dogs. Can I ask what treats you use for training on walks? :D
When we train at home I just use their regular food, whatever they have for breakfast and dinner. Outside I use a variety of natural treats: cooked meat, jerky, dried organs, fish skins, liver... they do like novelty so I try to rotate and change often.
Sniffing is so important, and I'm glad you mention it! It's a calming activity that wears dogs out (because they use their brain) and can prevent a lot of boredom/mischief. Which is especially helpful for those who have basenjis who lack focus for training, and/or have little interest in toys.
absolutely true! even 15 min of sniff walk tires them more than 30min running!
I appreciate how you showed working with him.
thank you 😊
Very calm and obedient during the walk. Does not seem to pull hard on the leash when you stop.
yes, he is naturally quite responsive, which helps!
Billy has great wrinkles. Beautiful.
yes he does! such a cuddly face 😊
My Basenji (Zappi) goes crazy when he meets other dogs and especially small black dogs. he has a blackout and it is incredibly difficult to calm him down after such an encounter. do you have any tips? God vlog btw
I had the same with the rescues I was fostering. The best way is to catch the moment when the basenji saw the dog but the distance is still too big for the b to get into that fixated state, and then redirect their attention to you with treats. Then gradually decrease the distance. But with the rescue I had, he switched from calm to crazy in miliseconds, instantly as soon as he saw a dog, so it was not possible to catch that moment. Here is what I was doing: I was taking him to a dog park but we stayed outside at a distance. The moment he was getting into that blackout mode when seeing the dogs I would strongly control the leash and do a 'bear hug'. There are variations of that hold you can try whats more comfortable for you, e. g holding one hand firmly under the collar at the back, the other hand wrapped around his chest. or both hands wrapper around him tightly so he cant escape and his movements are restricted. I was holding him like this while he was frustrated and wiggling and trying to get out. I would firmly maintain the hold and not letting go, talking to him in a calm voice. this can take 10 minutes but eventually the dog gives up and stops resisting, and calm down. the moment he stops, I would praise and let him go immediately. Quickly he would get pumped up again by looking at the dogs, then I repeat. usually with every next time he would calm down quicker. by repeating this excersise several days his reaction to other dogs reduced in intensity and he would calm down quicker and eventually would be able to listen and even take treats.
good luck with your boy!
thank you, love this video. This is so helpful! My b has a tendency to pull when he sees other dogs. Can I ask what treats you use for training on walks? :D
thank you for the feedback! For walks I usually take tuna jerky, dried liver, dried salmon skin or salmon cookies 😊
What training/food do you recommend or like?
When we train at home I just use their regular food, whatever they have for breakfast and dinner. Outside I use a variety of natural treats: cooked meat, jerky, dried organs, fish skins, liver... they do like novelty so I try to rotate and change often.
So at 1:22 you do not pick it up?
oh, there he is just doing a wee. He still squats for peeing 😊