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203 Lure Coursing
Prepared by Susan Kamen Marsicano
How can my basenji start in lure coursing?
Most basenjis are keen hunters but some preparation is necessary. Your Basenji needs to practice to be sure it is keen on the lure and that it will run other dogs so that it can qualify to run in an actual field trial. The hound's ability to run with other dogs is very important to the sucess of its career in lure coursing. Dogs must be able to run with other dogs without fouling. Dogs who are not stable can run only Singles. Every dog is required to be tested before entering an ASFA or AKC field trial. Every dog is required to be tested means must run with another dog completing the entire course without hesitation, and not bother with the other dog. In AKC it is called Qualified Courser, in ASFA called Hound Certification.
How do I train my Basenji for lure coursing?
Training for lure coursing is simply aimed at bringing out the natural instincts of the dog. There are two fundamental things your basenji must do. The desire to chase with great focus on the lure and the ability to compete with dogs that are not of its own household.
A plastic shopping bag tied to the twitch end of a lunge whip for training for lure coursing, exercise and conditioning (and our dogs’ endless entertainment) is used to develop the desire to chase. This can be used with puppies or adults.
The drawbacks are: it's people operated, not a self-play toy; the bag has to be replaced frequently (though they are quite happy to both shred whatever they remove from the whip, and chase a tiny tassel of plastic through the grass); and some of the dogs don't discriminate among moving plastic bags, inert plastic bags (in the house) and even paper bags!
A lunge whip can be purchased at a horse supply store; for about $15 for the 14-foot braided polypropylene one. You can take the twitch off the end and tie the bag through the loop.
Another consideration for basenjis in lure coursing is that they must run with other basenjis, often ones they may not even know. Basenjis who course must be socialized with other dogs. Poorly behaved dogs will be disqualified.
How do I find a place to practice?
List of AKC coursing clubs. Club Search and Directory > Performance Clubs > Lure Coursing at: http://www.akc.org/clubs/search/index.cfm
List of ASFA coursing clubs: http://www.asfa.org/clubs/index.htm
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We are indebted to the Basset Hound Club of America for the use of their Basset Hound University templates.