I think any dog can do it trained or untrained. This work is in their DNA. Where the drive comes in is how long will the dog work the track, through what obstacles, distractions, and other issues that could cause the dog to lose it or quit. What we look for is a dog that has so much hot, off the charts drive for work, that it's scent memory retention is high. We look for dogs that once they engage, they do not quit. This is what separates the professional dogs from the amateurs and one of the main traits we look for for dogs that we provide for police, military, or SAR. The trait is not so much basenji as it is "dog" for us. We provide GSD's, Malinois, Dutch Shepherds, bloodhounds, goldens, and labs for work and this trait is important in each breed. What I have found with the basenji, and what originally drew me into the breed, was the "natural" drive for certain things; OCD in a way but with uncanny intelligence behind the OCD. It was almost preternatural in form and quite useful. It may be what is missing in certain other over bred domestic breeds. The problem is that is not all that common in the basenji either just different.
How trainable are Basenji's?
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Hello, I'm new to the forum and am about to purchase my first dog, I have been looking at getting a Basenji for years and have a few questions.
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How trainable is this breed? My best friend has a Boxer, most obedient dog I've seen. Listens to every command without hesitation, never gets into trouble at home and always listens when he hears "No". Are Basenji's able to get to this level of obedience with firm proper training? All I ever hear is how rebellious this dog is and how much trouble it can get into.
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What kind of training do Basenji's best respond to? How well do they do around other dogs? Other people?
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If anyone has any stories of a worst case scenario with a rebellious dog turned obedient and well trained I would love to hear it, as well as how long training took to stick with this breed.
Thank you!
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