Skip to content
Basenji Forums
  1. Home
  2. Basenji Training
  3. Korben biting our feet and I don't know how to stop him.

Korben biting our feet and I don't know how to stop him.

Basenji Training
  • L

    Our boy just turned 1 last month and is playing with his birthday duck. The past couple of months he has taken to biting our feet. It does not matter if you have on shoes, socks or barefoot, it is all game for him. How can we break him of this horrible habit. He does it while we are sitting watching TV or when we come into the house or just walking around.
    Reg name = Khani's Teazer Endlessly Jealous ack# HP569187/070_1579219919042_Korben duck.jpeg

    tanzaT D 2 Replies
    0
  • eeeefarmE

    Try distracting him with something else. Ask him for a behaviour that he knows, e.g. sit or down. If he doesn't obey and continues with the feet biting, say no and physically prevent him from continuing to do it. If he persists, remove him from the room where you are, crate him if you have one, and give him a time out. It's likely he finds the feet biting rewarding in some way, perhaps getting your attention when he is bored. You need to prevent him from getting any reward from this behaviour.

    Another thing.....be observant. If you perceive that he is about to indulge in this habit, do something to divert him before he has a chance to act. You could give a command that he knows, and if he obeys it gives you the chance to reward instead of chastise.

    Nice looking pup, by the way. :-)

    "In order to get along with a Basenji, you have to be at least half as smart as the dog!"

    A 1 Reply
    3
  • tanzaT

    @lory-h - Have you spoken to his breeder? And agree with eeeefarm about diverting him before he goes for your feet... and reward for not indulging in feet biting... seems that he thinks this is a game for him. Work his mind, not just his body

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

    1
  • D

    @lory-h Sounds like he is bored and wants to play. Is he getting enough walks and mental stimulation? It is winter and they get bored easily if they don’t get enough walks. During winter we substitute playtime for walk time in the bad weather.

    0
  • R

    Rub a tiny bit of Vics Vaporub of your feet. Not enough that you will smell it, but he will.
    Then distract him in ways that have been mentioned here.
    He is biting your feet because he is getting something - a reaction from you. The Vics will teach him that he doesn't like the reaction at all.

    In my years in basenjis, they seem to follow the motto: What's in it for me? Take away what is in it for him, and replace it with something he does not like - the smell.

    2
  • L

    Thank you all for the suggestions. He gets at least one 45 plus minute walk a day. We also run with him outside several times a day in our backyard. We have a long straight away in our house that we throw toys down and he loves to run and get them. I dont think he is bored we play with him quite a bit. He does get a reaction from us when he hits because it hurts. I did distract him today when he came towards me and that worked. Now I have to get all 5 of us in the house to do it as well.

    1
  • ZandeZ

    He's attention seeking, is all. And obviously it works ! He bites your feet, you get mad. He's won !

    Not easy but try not to react at all. Certainly don't get cross and give him the attention he is seeking. Rugosa has an excellent idea - rub something he doesn't like on your feet but you have to ignore him too -

    Good luck

    Sally Wallis

    Zande Basenjis

    www.zandebasenjis.com

    https://pedigrees.zandebasenjis.com

    SKYPE zandeuk

    2
  • D

    Agree with Zande here. Rewarding him for not biting your feet would work. You'd need some high value treats and a method for rewarding the non-behavior (which is admittedly more difficult than rewarding a behavior).

    In this type of situation I start by finding some old old slip-ons. Not having shoe laces removes an obvious temptation and if they get a couple of gnaws no big deal.

    Then try this (I've never done this myself, it's the best idea I can come up with and you might have a better idea. But something along this line should shape the behavior you want). Once you have the right footwear, some high value treats, and a toy he likes -- we know he likes at least one plush toy -- put the toy on a slip leash. Walk around dragging the toy. If he goes for the toy walk a bit and then reward him. If he leaves the toy and goes for your feet put him in his crate.

    HTH

    Love the pic BTW. He's so cute!

    1
  • A

    @eeeefarm I would calmly without eye contact get up immediately and give him a time out or do something where he can't get your attention. If he is looking for attention engaging him gets him attention. You might try having a short brushing session or other physical attention on a cue so he knows when attention is coming. Sounds like he is getting enough exercise etc. This method is called extinction which sometimes will cause a little temper tantrum of increased behavior right before they perminatly give up.

    0
  • eeeefarmE

    @arbust91 said in Korben biting our feet and I don't know how to stop him.:

    @eeeefarm I would calmly without eye contact get up immediately and give him a time out or do something where he can't get your attention. If he is looking for attention engaging him gets him attention. You might try having a short brushing session or other physical attention on a cue so he knows when attention is coming. Sounds like he is getting enough exercise etc. This method is called extinction which sometimes will cause a little temper tantrum of increased behavior right before they perminatly give up.

    The folks that are recommending ignoring the behaviour are going for no r+ in hopes of extinction, and that may work if the reaction to the biting is the actual reinforcement. In practice, positive punishment might work better or faster than negative punishment (time out), but most don't like to use aversives these days so I didn't suggest it.

    "In order to get along with a Basenji, you have to be at least half as smart as the dog!"

    0
  • ZandeZ

    @eeeefarm said in Korben biting our feet and I don't know how to stop him.:

    In practice, positive punishment might work better or faster than negative punishment (time out), but most don't like to use aversives

    Positive punishment is giving in to him. You are giving him exactly the attention he is seeking. Basenji do not like being ignored or shut out. That IS a form of punishment to them !

    Sally Wallis

    Zande Basenjis

    www.zandebasenjis.com

    https://pedigrees.zandebasenjis.com

    SKYPE zandeuk

    0
  • eeeefarmE

    @zande said in Korben biting our feet and I don't know how to stop him.:

    Positive punishment is giving in to him. You are giving him exactly the attention he is seeking. Basenji do not like being ignored or shut out. That IS a form of punishment to them !

    Agree, they don't like to be ignored. That comes under the heading of negative punishment. But there are things they like less. Depending on the dog, the skill of the trainer, and the punishment meted out, positive punishment can be extremely effective, but timing and choice of consequences is critical, so it's not something I recommend. Punishment is a loaded word, but it is the word used in operant conditioning. It evokes some terrible, painful consequence, but might be something as mild as a well aimed water pistol, which for some Basenjis (and some cats) would be reason enough not to repeat the action that caused it.....while with others it could turn into a game of trying to nail the feet and escape the spray. Without knowing the dog it's hard to guess what the result would be, which is why I am not suggesting it.

    The very best form of positive punishment is self inflicted, e.g. electric fence for livestock, invisible fence for dogs (if they don't learn to run through it), because of the consistency which a human trainer may lack. The consequences for most are unpleasant enough that they don't care to repeat the action that causes them. Horses seldom challenge electric fence if it's working properly, although some seem to detect when it is turned off!

    "In order to get along with a Basenji, you have to be at least half as smart as the dog!"

    0

Suggested Topics

  • R

    My basenjis have a new yard, but won't poop there. Any recommendations?

    Basenji Training
    14
    0 Votes
    14 Posts
    6k Views
    ZandeZ
    @erica-ruth said in My basenjis have a new yard, but won't poop there. Any recommendations?: I can set my watch by second poop My first ever Basenji, Donner, back in the very early 1980s learned from very young that as soon as he'd emptied, we'd turn and head back home. Lady, who arrived in the household just four days after Donner and long before we totally dog-proofed the garden, so walks were necessary, did her business as and when she needed to. But Himself no - to prolong the walk he'd hang on for (sometimes) miles ! When the first litter came along, we did totally fence the entire garden so as to keep the pack safe. It was only later, after several litters developed a penchant for fresh vegetables straight off the plant, Brussel Sprouts, sweet corn, cucumbers, raspberries etc, that we had to fence off the vegetable garden to protect it from the marauding hordes. The herb garden had to be isolated too, or we'd have even sweeter smelling puppies than normal.
  • M

    Puppy biting

    Basenji Training
    16
    0 Votes
    16 Posts
    10k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    @drew82 I've been doing rescue and breeding (not Basenjis, and not for 20 yrs now)... and I have to say that among responsible trainers, rescues, breeders and professional veterinary behaviorists, you won't find any who will say under 8 weeks is okay for any breed... and for many, 10 to 12 weeks is recommended. It is in fact illegal to take puppies under 8 weeks from some states and it should be in all of them. Call a few dozen rescues and ask them how many animals they deal with that have issues started from being placed too young. It is good you are working on things, just hopefully the physical responses won't continue. No breed needs to be swatted or even mildly hurt for training. Basenjis even less so than many. It hurts your relationship with the puppy, and you are punishing a baby for being a baby... there is no "rebellious thing"... just normal behavior you have to patiently train away from.
  • KipawaK

    Any tips for the 'stay' command?

    Basenji Training
    9
    0 Votes
    9 Posts
    3k Views
    T
    For a teenage boy to be 80% with distractions is great. We're very proud of him and his Mom for doing such a great job with him. His little sisters Olive (aka Fina) and Scarlett will be coming to visit us next week. I hear they are also doing well, in fact I could hear Scarlett barrooing at her dad when he called to tell us they were coming for a visit. The bending thing is a mistake I make frequently so I have to remind myself all the time to watch my posture. Therese
  • LyshL

    Halti's

    Basenji Training
    16
    0 Votes
    16 Posts
    5k Views
    LyshL
    @CanisBasenjius: Lysh, You didn't say why the trainer suggested a Halti. To what end? I normally only recommend the Halti to owners of large dogs who are having serious pulling or reactivity problems. If Hope pulls, I prefer the Sense-ation or Wonder Walker to the Easy Walk, as I do not like the martingale effect on the EW and feel it gives less clear feed back and they seem to require more frequent adjusting for fit. WRT spitting out treats I have two thoughts: Try higher value (think real food, like boiled chicken) She may be slightly anxious and unable to accept food One of my dogs is an anxious fellow and usually cannot accept food in certain environments because he is too "on". It took roughly 2 years of living in our new neighborhood before he could accept food on our walks. Just a thought there. It took me a long time to realize that's what was going on with him. She has a lovely play style. Lots of give and take. Love that! Hi Thanks for the information. I agree with you and wasnt too interested in using a Halti on her and would prefer the easy walker etc. The reasoning she suggested we try the halti is because she wouldnt settle down and was basically like a fire cracker on the end of the lead no matter what you did and no matter the treat value, her food, liver treats, meat etc. But i took into consideration that it was a new place, other puppies and her 2nd outing and that shes a basenji, possibly even that she was bored. (maybe the trainer hadnt as all the other puppies where much more "easier" to calm down?) I think she was overwhelmed by everything as-well because by the next lesson, she was top of the class and even demo dog. She was calm and happy and vocal when she wanted to be. She done everything to a T. So we did not bother with the halti. Now that she is fully vaccinated and we have been out and about i walk her in a harness and she is a perfect little puppy apart for the occasional "omg its a bird" … yank! she even does anything strangers ask of her (sit, drop, stay etc). She accepts food whenever we are out and gladly ate her lunch at our recent fundraiser pet markets event for the RSPCA (attached some pics) Im very happy with her progress and we are starting puppy primary school for 6wks next month and then we are beginning agility and obedience classes. :) [image: attachment_p_120540_0_hope.jpg] [image: attachment_p_120540_1_pig-ear.jpg] [image: attachment_p_120540_2_poser.jpg]
  • JannekeJ

    First time 'off leash'

    Basenji Training
    28
    0 Votes
    28 Posts
    11k Views
    lvossL
    What is a "training leash"? Is it a long line? Long lines are great for teaching loose lead walking and working on recalls. Many people seem to think that walking a dog off leash is a good thing, when in reality it is in most places breaking the law. There are some places that you can walk your dog off leash without being in violation of the law but in many places there are not many safe places that you can walk your dog off leash. As Janneke said, a real benefit to working on a long line on recall is that if your pup ever does get out then you have a tool to get him back. Name response, coming to his name with various distractions and in various places could very well save his life some day. You can play the come game in the house having people in different rooms call his name and give a treat if he comes. You can work on a long line outside calling him between two people. Only treat if he comes when called not if he is just running back and forth between you. As for him listening to you, are you taking him to training classes? What is your role in training him? The more you work him, and the more consistently you work him, the more he will listen to you. You can start really by just taking a handful of one of his meals and just ask for some basics before giving him the main meal. Sit, down, stand, I practice targeting, what ever you may be working on until you have used your handful then when you are done ask for a sit and then you can give his bowl.
  • JannekeJ

    Can he stop?

    Basenji Training
    27
    0 Votes
    27 Posts
    9k Views
    JannekeJ
    Haha, jah, nooit geschoten, is altijd mis ;) Today we had Mirtillo walking loose, but with his leach still attach to his collar. This worked very well. When he doesn't feel like coming, we just run away from him and then he thinks it's a game and follows. I hope we will find a fenced place like that. It sounds great. May I ask you from which breeder you got Gaia?