Skip to content
Basenji Forums
  1. Home
  2. Behavioral Issues
  3. Destructive behaviour

Destructive behaviour

Behavioral Issues
  • T

    Hi all,

    My basenji Hugo is 8.5 months old and after the initial puppy nightmare passed has been pretty easy so far.

    Recently though he's taken to absolutely obliterating his soft toys within seconds of being given them. My general approach has been to supervise and take them away once the destruction begins, but now it seems he's realised that the couch is soft too, and begun to attack that.

    I'd like to nip this in the bud as quickly as I can. I have some bitter spray that I apply to any furniture he takes a shine to but it doesn't seem to last. Are there any other approaches I could take?

    He gets two hourlong walks a day. Usually he'll come in from the first, we'll have a little training session and then he'll sleep until about 2 pm. At that stage I usually give him something meaty to chew or a feeding toy that will keep him occupied until walk number 2. I've read a lot about destructive behaviour arising from boredom, but his routine hasn't changed lately.

    I work from home so he's semi-supervised throughout the day. Should I just be making sure he stays in the same room as me?

    Thanks for your help!

    0
  • elbrantE

    It's been my experience that a prompt, firm, "no" at the moment of indiscretion is the best solution. Yelling is not necessary. Neither is acting like the sky is falling, jumping up, or lurching towards the dog. If you are right there (as in sitting next to the dog) when it happens, you can put your hand over the spot and reinforce your command with eye contact.

    It's a simple, effective, method.

    elbrant.net

    1
  • senjisillyS

    Welcome to the wonderful world of teenage Basenjis. My first Basenji, who joined the family at 11 months old, was thoughtfully destructive until she died at age 14.5. Thoughtful as in she thought about what to destroy before turning our belonging into trash. Ella was the devil.

    Lynn B.

    2
  • elbrantE

    @senjisilly LOL ( couldn't help it )

    elbrant.net

    0
  • elbrantE

    I was a little pre-occupied earlier today, and Doodle displayed her displeasure at my constant delays... how? She got up on the sofa and did this little prancing-dancing thing. Like she was saying, "haha, look at me misbehaving". LOL oh yeah.... if that is her "breaking bad", I'm in trouble, she's got my heart!

    elbrant.net

    0

Suggested Topics

  • R

    Aggressive behaviour out of the blue

    Behavioral Issues
    14
    0 Votes
    14 Posts
    1k Views
    tanzaT
    @jengosmonkey - I mostly agree with you but you had a bit of a different situation because you got Logan as an adult.... sort of like a stranger that is now feeding that boy.... so you did the right thing for the process of taking in an adult. The result of you laughing at him and then moving him was the right thing as you didn't take him serious or freeze up... you just let him know that was your spot and he needed to share! Good job
  • H

    Expensive Distructive Behaviour

    Behavioral Issues
    9
    0 Votes
    9 Posts
    5k Views
    Chealsie508C
    Just be careful of one thing: my Oakley (having just had surgery for his incessant dietary indiscretion) eats cotton or cloth material, fleece blankets he won't but actual bath towels he will shred and eat…while I doubt many dogs would go that far, if yours has a liking to cloth materials then I'd suggest supervision or nothing when not home....safety trumps comfort... Luckily (in my case) oakley finally stopped shredding his beds (out current bed is a year old and probably the 17th bed in his first year and a half...and he stopped shredding blankets...hope for you it's a habit that can be outgrown!! Been there,done that!!
  • B

    Destructive behavior…I'm probably just venting

    Behavioral Issues
    16
    0 Votes
    16 Posts
    8k Views
    eeeefarmE
    I've always had less issues when I have one rather than two, but OTOH, if I was out a lot I would want the second one as a companion. I don't think it is fair to leave them alone for hours every day. (Basenjis are smart enough to figure out that when they do something all they have to do is act cute and let you think it was the other one that did the deed!) :)
  • H

    Stressed out about this behaviour and need help…..

    Behavioral Issues
    22
    0 Votes
    22 Posts
    11k Views
    A
    I agree with JayCee. I had to know his limits with my male and not put him in a position where he would fail. As yes, some dog owners dont understand the basenji play, but some do. I have met a great bunch of folks at the park who have taken some time with their dogs to help mine out. Very much appreciated. No matter what kind of dog you have, there will always be that one person at the park the park who has a problem. I avoid those folks. I also want the park to be safe for all. If someone brings their children in, I remove my dogs immediately since i dont know how they are with children. Always be respectful of other owners and dogs at the park. Anyway, i want my basenjis to be able to play with any kind of dog and not just basenjis. Success so far.
  • B

    Worried - new aggressive behaviour

    Behavioral Issues
    9
    0 Votes
    9 Posts
    3k Views
    agilebasenjiA
    Cats are almost always hypERthyroid; dogs are almost always hypOthyroid. And there is a long list of hypothyroidism, (no idea about hyper, i don't have a cat) and dogs will often just have a few symptoms, not all. just google. Personally, I'd look for a behaviorist and get the Control Unleashed book. It talks about how to create a new history for experiences. It also talks about threshholds which you really need to understand in dealing with a dog like this.
  • senjiS

    Destructive..why now???

    Behavioral Issues
    5
    0 Votes
    5 Posts
    2k Views
    senjiS
    They do always act up a little when he leaves but usually settle down. They usually just fight more, like they're trying to rework the pack order. This is the longest he has ever been gone. I guess we just hang in there and hope he comes home early…it's tough on all of us. Thanks for the help!!!!!