Biting Issues

[Patty M]

Hi Erin, welcome to the forum! Even at one year, your basenji is still a puppy. If he's play biting, he may not understand that what he's doing is wrong if there's not a consistent response from the humans. Perhaps you and your parents should talk about the right response when he play bites. In my view, if the human automatically responds with a loud, "OUCH!", and then, tell the dog to "down", "stop", "enough", "off".. whatever your family decides. Then, immediately disengage from playing; for example, if he's on the couch and playing, bites hard…. "OUCH!".... then "Enough", and gently place him on the floor.

Basenjis don't respond well to negative reinforcement! It's very important not to retaliate and hit back, or negatively push him away, because he won't understand the connection. However, if you place him on the floor, or walk away, he will learn that what he did was not proper pack behavior and he will understand, with consistent repetition, that biting isn't good.

Hope that helps! Good luck!
Hugs and roos-

[eeeefarm]

@Patty:

Basenjis don't respond well to negative reinforcement! It's very important not to retaliate and hit back, or negatively push him away, because he won't understand the connection. However, if you place him on the floor, or walk away, he will learn that what he did was not proper pack behavior and he will understand, with consistent repetition, that biting isn't good.

Just to be clear, "negative reinforcement" is not retaliating. That would be "positive punishment". What you are advocating is actually "negative punishment"…....removing something that he wants (your attention), after he performs a behaviour you want to discourage (the biting). "Reinforcement" refers to an action that increases the likelihood of a behaviour being repeated. "Punishment" refers to an action that decreases the likelihood of a behaviour being repeated. "Positive" adds something, "negative" removes something. A lot of people are confused about operant conditioning terms.

[ErinElisabeth]

@eeeefarm:

Have you had this dog since he was a pup? If so, how old was he when you got him? It sounds like he has never learned to inhibit his bite, or that it is not appropriate to bite people. Likely he is just doing it in play, but he needs to understand that he mustn't bite or nip people. How much training have you done with him? Does he obey commands at all? Perhaps you can keep him busy or redirect his attention when he starts biting, or crate him when he can't be supervised? It sounds like something you may need outside help with. I think you should look for a trainer or behaviourist in your area.

We have owned Jack since he was exactly six weeks old. He obeys pretty much every command except, "No biting!" It annoys me sometimes because of that. He's a smart dog, I just think he likes to have things his own way.

[ErinElisabeth]

@Buddys:

Since he is a puppy, a dog, he will chew. He needs to, as this how he explores the world, how he alleviates teething, and just because. Supply lots of appropriate stuff: frozen favorite foods, like baby carrots, green beans, or chicken broth in the form of small ice cubes, Of course to eliminate mess, do so in the kitchen or his crate or outside(supervised), or in bathroom, on a 'chewy blanket' (I go to the thrift stores and get a used comforter as my dogs make little holes every once in awhile so no expensive beds….) The key is to provide for their needs and replace what is not appropriate in our world: couches, rugs, etc.... The exchange method for getting something out of his mouth is better than most methods as this allows him to trust you not to be the 'taker away of good stuff' but the provider of fun. What is the context of the biting(or chewing)? Is is teething or actual biting as in "get away from me" or lunging at you out of the blue to bite skin or clothes? this is a whole different can of worms and if you need help, do so now with a trainer in your area-ASAP!

He starts off play biting, then it hurts so we say, "No biting." He stops for a minute, starts play biting again, he then get rougher and rougher.

He naps on the couch during the day sometimes, and if you sit down on the same couch, even if it's the other side, he will growl at you. I don't know if this has any sort of connection to the biting or not, though.

[eeeefarm]

You got him at six weeks old…...O.K., that may be part of the problem. Had he grown up with his mother and littermates to teach him, he would likely have an inhibited bite (know not to bite hard when playing) and a better idea of appropriate play. At his age it is going to take some work to teach him better manners. It does sound as if he has some "resource guarding" issues.....the rawhides and the couch. It is hard to advise without seeing him, or seeing your family interact with him. If you can find a trainer who is experienced with Basenjis, that would likely be your best solution.

In the meantime, if he bites in play the play should cease. Walk away, crate him, do whatever it takes, but don't allow him to continue his biting after you tell him "no". When he is being gentle and good, reinforce that with kind words, petting, and treats......whatever he finds most rewarding. You have had him long enough so that you must have a sense of when his behaviour will escalate, and what triggers the biting. Try to avoid that situation. If he can't play without being rough, don't play with him! If he approaches you with intent to "play bite", give him something else to do. Clicker training might be a good way to get his mind engaged, and it will be fun for both of you to teach him new tricks and behaviours. There is a lot of information about clicker training on line, including a lot of videos to help you get started.

I have a question about the "shock collar" you mentioned. Did your parents just buy the collar from a store, or did they take a course in the use of the collar? Did a trainer assess your dog? If you haven't been taught the proper use of an e-collar, you can cause a lot more problems than you can solve.

[ErinElisabeth]

@eeeefarm:

You got him at six weeks old…...O.K., that may be part of the problem. Had he grown up with his mother and littermates to teach him, he would likely have an inhibited bite (know not to bite hard when playing) and a better idea of appropriate play. At his age it is going to take some work to teach him better manners. It does sound as if he has some "resource guarding" issues.....the rawhides and the couch. It is hard to advise without seeing him, or seeing your family interact with him. If you can find a trainer who is experienced with Basenjis, that would likely be your best solution.

In the meantime, if he bites in play the play should cease. Walk away, crate him, do whatever it takes, but don't allow him to continue his biting after you tell him "no". When he is being gentle and good, reinforce that with kind words, petting, and treats......whatever he finds most rewarding. You have had him long enough so that you must have a sense of when his behaviour will escalate, and what triggers the biting. Try to avoid that situation. If he can't play without being rough, don't play with him! If he approaches you with intent to "play bite", give him something else to do. Clicker training might be a good way to get his mind engaged, and it will be fun for both of you to teach him new tricks and behaviours. There is a lot of information about clicker training on line, including a lot of videos to help you get started.

I have a question about the "shock collar" you mentioned. Did your parents just buy the collar from a store, or did they take a course in the use of the collar? Did a trainer assess your dog? If you haven't been taught the proper use of an e-collar, you can cause a lot more problems than you can solve.

They bought the collar from PetSmart.

And with him being six weeks old when we got him, I agree that could at to the problem. But we got him in a place three hours away from our home and we were already headed down there, so that's one reason why we got him then. Another reason is because the breeder had people getting Jack's brothers on other days and he didn't want… well I can't really remember. Something about them missing the other. I truthfully don't know.

[ErinElisabeth]

To find a trainer who has had experience training a basenji, do I just Google search: Basenji Trainer?

[tanza]

Have you asked your breeder for recommendations?

[tanza]

Have you asked your breeder for recommendations? Here is a link, you need to ask them if they have Basenji experience

http://www.apdt.com/petowners/ts/default.aspx

[eeeefarm]

You aren't likely to find a Basenji specific trainer. You need to look for someone in your area. Perhaps some other forum members know of someone. Any good trainer can probably help you, but it would be advantageous if they have worked with the breed. Best way to find out is by referral from someone else with a Basenji, but otherwise check out what you see on line, and phone them and ask. Whereabouts in Michigan are you located?

Ah, Pat, you beat me to it!