Agility jitters

JRTzoey

hey, agilebasenji... is it true that besenjis are hard to train? i always thought they looked so cute, and in my "when pigs fly" book, she mentions them every now and then as being tough to keep focussed. 

You know, I've been asked that a lot and, to be honest, I'm not sure how to answer that anymore.  I think they are hard to motivate (unless rabbit chasing is part of your lesson ;), and I could see where many, many people would think they are difficult.  But for me, they're lots of fun.  They have a warped sense of humor, don't care too much what's on your agenda, are quick to get bored, are very low on the bid-able scale.  I find they are usually willing to do what you ask, but not necessarily immediately.  If I ask for a jump or weaves, my partner will comply, but he might do it after he takes that tunnel.  "In a sec mom, I gotta do this tunnel first.  Okay, now what did you want?"  I've had that issue with both my older agility basenjis (one MX/MXJ the other AX/AXJ), but I don't think that's ever been an issue with the malinois.  I have to use my brain a lot more to train my basenjis in comparison to the malinois.  They also shut down if you give a correction when you're in training mode, even just a mild verbal.  And they really hate being physically manipulated, so luring and clicker is really the way to go.  And heaven forbid if you take yourself too seriously.