Play biting or aggressive behavior?

[Nancy Berry]

@DebraDownSouth Thanks for the links! I'll have to read up on the sonic collars. I just liked the idea that there was no shocking or anything going on!

[arpaluvsbasenjis]

Hi,
I was thinking of getting a basenji, but I’m not quite sure. I have an EXTREMELY low pain tolerance. Blood drives make me cry. I don’t want and bloody bites. Can you tell me if the biting went away?!?

Please and thx,
Arpa

[tanza]

@arpaluvsbasenjis - ALL puppies bite... that is what they do in the litter..that is how they communicate.... by mouth, that is where with their littermates they learn soft bite. The baby teeth are like needles, period. This IS NOT just a Basenji trait, not at all. If puppies are kept with their littermates and not separated too early and if you watch them... the one doing the biting if it is too hard they are "yelped" at by the others and very loud too! In my opinion, Basenjis are not mature enough to remember early encounters with their littermates if separated earlier than 10weeks. This of course differs depending on if you are or were a Basenji owner. And if you have a Basenji already in the home, then they will be the ones to teach manners to pups. However they noises they make will raise the hair on the back of your neck and you will swear they are being killed

[arpaluvsbasenjis]

Thanks for this info! And also I do not have a basenji. I have NEVER owned a dog. And I was looking for a dog that’s hypoallergenic, because my dad’s allergic, then I found the basenji. I have been doing research and people say they bite EVERYTHING! I don’t want it to bite my stuff and especially not me! But I get that they will bite. I also wanted to know do the bites bleed a lot and are they big? And also do they only bite until they are a few months old or do they bite their entire life. Like if it’s a year old will it bite?

[DebraDownSouth]

EDIT: I need to reproof read myself. Now did my "No" get left out.

NO dog is hypoallergenic. Period.

I don't recommend a Basenji as a first dog.

If you don't train a dog, it can bite forever. Puppies need a lot of training.

I suggest you consider fostering a dog and see how your father reacts to it and if it is what you really want.

[senjisilly]

Here is a link to the American Kennel Club's web site page that lists and explains the various breeds of dog considered hypoallergenic. Basenjis are not on this list.
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/hypoallergenic-dog-breeds/

All dogs can bite. You may be talking about chewing up belongings. We all have our personal experiences with our belongings being chewed up. In my experience, Basenjis can and will chew up your stuff until they die of old age.

[tanza]

@arpaluvsbasenjis said in Play biting or aggressive behavior?:

Thanks for this info! And also I do not have a basenji. I have NEVER owned a dog. And I was looking for a dog that’s hypoallergenic, because my dad’s allergic, then I found the basenji. I have been doing research and people say they bite EVERYTHING! I don’t want it to bite my stuff and especially not me! But I get that they will bite. I also wanted to know do the bites bleed a lot and are they big? And also do they only bite until they are a few months old or do they bite their entire life. Like if it’s a year old will it bite?

BASENJIS ARE NOT HYPOALLERGENIC, PERIOD. Basenji shed and have dander. Suggestion that you visit (with your Dad) with Basenji is a good one and do it more than once. Don't know who is telling you that "they bite everything"? Go to www.basenji.org and read about Basenjis and get the real information.

[eeeefarm]

@arpaluvsbasenjis said in Play biting or aggressive behavior?:

people say they bite EVERYTHING! I don’t want it to bite my stuff and especially not me! But I get that they will bite. I also wanted to know do the bites bleed a lot and are they big? And also do they only bite until they are a few months old or do they bite their entire life. Like if it’s a year old will it bite?

It sounds like you don't have much experience with dogs, and as you say you haven't owned one. All dogs are capable of biting, given the right circumstances. Some Basenjis can be aggressive, most are sweethearts with family and people they know, and some are aggressive with other dogs. As far as being destructive, that isn't an uncommon problem but can be controlled with proper training and restraint when supervision is not possible, e.g. crating or confinement to a "dog proof" room when nobody is home. Most puppies of any breed are prone to chewing things up until they learn the rules of the house. Perhaps if you are thinking of acquiring a dog it might be best to find a suitable rescue, either a Basenji or other breed, so that you can start with a trained adult instead of a pup.

[DonC]

@debradownsouth said in Play biting or aggressive behavior?:

I don't recommend a Basenji as a first dog.

If you don't train a dog, it can bite forever. Puppies need a lot of training.

I suggest you consider fostering a dog and see how your father reacts to it and if it is what you really want.

Great points and recommendations. I do think, that as Tanza says, the best training is from the litter mates and mom, which is why wanting a puppy as soon as possible is understandable but not wise.

[Katzmeow]

I know this is an old topic, but when my Stella plays, she can get a little aggressive too. she's drawn blood a few times!

She's probably a little over a year old now; It didn't take long at all to train her to stop, all I have to do is tell her 'no biting' and she'll stop. She also loves to lick my wounds and bite off the scab that SHE made.