8 month old is biting…can't get him under control

[listeme]

I try to approach the "chewing household things" problem with the same overall approach to puppy training as anything else: eliminate or minimize the chance my puppy will develop bad habits. If he is still in the stage of chewing on everything, don't give him free house time whatsoever. It's just like when you were teaching him not to pee. If you can't watch his little butt (or mouth) every SECOND, he needs to be in a place where he can't get in trouble, even if that means he is crated more than you want right now. Think of the times when he is out of the crate and in a chew-danger area as 100 percent watch time.

Teaching him what to chew is SO much easier than unteaching bad habits.

While you're working on this, make sure the stuff he is allowed to chew is wicked great: rawhides probably won't be interesting enough. Bully sticks, smellier the better, good butcher bones, etc.

By the way, one thing that helps me that I don't often see mentioned (and maybe because I'm a complete nut) is that I use a schedule for Simon (and Zelda before him), a written schedule – of his crate times. I do this for several reasons. One, I work at home and need to make sure that I can balance my productivity with his needs. It might be similar to having small children and puppy. Two, it gives me sort of the mental on/off I need to concentrate on his training when he IS out. Three, it gives our household day a structure, which is good for not just the puppy.

It might not work for everyone, but it works for us as we juggle priorities. It seems to agree with Simon

[tangokor]

I appreciate allt he advice given. I'm really not trying to make excuses, just trying to explain my situation. Which is really just EXHAUSTION! I am a single mom juggling 2 kids, dog and the house. If I only let him out of his crate when I could watch him 100% he would never leave his crate. He's in it it while I work. He's in it when he sleeps and in it when I have to leave the house. My backyard is completely safe for him and that's where he plays alot of the time. Although he can now figure out how to open the gate which is another issue. I do not have a garage to put an additional crate in.

The kids have been taught to put away their things (they are 7 &10) and not leave them where the do can get to them, but it's not always just their things. It's furniture, it's things that I do not have a place for, it's pretty much everything. If it's somewhere where I think he can't get it, he finds a way to get it. The bedroom doors stay closed at all times but there are times he gets in there and gets into trouble too.

All this advice is great but I do think I'm in over my head and just can't manage it all. I have been trying to give it 100% and do everything that has been suggested. I really have. The last thing I want is him harming the kids. I just can't keep up w/ him.

The breeder is Kaleonhae's in OH.

[sharronhurlbut]

Maybe its just not a good breed fit with your family?
Is that what I am reading…because there is no shame in admitting the breed is just not working for you.

[tanza]

Sounds to me like you are overwhelmed with the puppy and maybe this was not the best time to bring a new addition into the house. I always tell people it is like having another baby and people need to make sure they really have the time to devote to raising another member of the family. Have you spoken with the breeder? And considered returning him to his breeder?

[listeme]

I so empathize with the exhaustion! And not having another adult to bounce ideas off of would only make it harder.

So, assuming you don't want to give up yet*, what about some solutions that are not optimal? Brainstorming wackily here: what about crating him and setting the timer for 15 minutes all evening after work – every time the timer goes off, you or one of the kids takes him out for five minutes and runs in the backyard with him or does a training session or the like? I'm talking really short sessions but frequent so that he's interacting all evening, but safe most of the time.

What about having the kids "hide" treats in the backyard and then sending him out to find them? Have the kids watch tv with him in his crate and bring him out for commercials. Have everyone take 2 minute turns at being "in charge" of him, passing him on to the next.

I guess I'm trying to come up with ways to keep him involved but mostly contained while he's in this stage.

*Rehoming him is not really giving up; he's at a good age to find a place. But I know that it's more complicated than that in families.

[sharronhurlbut]

I think this b is spending too much time in the crate as it is…IMO
I am wondering how much time this b gets with the kids, in the yard.
A basenji in a yard with the family inside, well, it's not teaching the dog anything.
A b running a bit about the yard isn't the same as getting the dog out and walking him
3 times a day...
Exercise can make a b a better house pet, but you have to have time to do it.

[listeme]

Yeah, I guess I start looking at things like puzzles to solve sometimes

[Quercus]

Strangely enough, I have a client that is going through exactly the same problems right now. I told her honestly, that the dog is not getting enough attention, so he is making his own fun. Single dogs do NOT like to just hang out in the yard, that is almost as boring as hanging out in the crate. They NEED attention, and just being with another being. My first suggestion to my client was to get each person in the family to commit to spending 30 minutes exclusively focused on the dog…preferrably walking, but also playing. And IMO if the dog is crated during the day, he needs to be sleeping at least in the same room as the humans. Ideally, folks in your situation could hire a trainer who will exercise and train the dog a few hours per week during the time you are at work. That way it takes care of two issues..the need of formal training, and the need to be tired out during the day, so you can enjoy the pup in the evening when you are home.

Call Kyle He will help you in any way that he can, I just know it...he is a great breeder and a great guy

[tanza]

What Andrea says is right on….. unless you really have the time to devote to raising a puppy, the puppy is going to do whatever he/she can to get the attention they want. If that is by being bad or getting into mischief, it gets the desired result, your attention. Just like human children, puppies/dogs need stimulation to excerise their minds and body.

One other thought is maybe doggy day care a few times a week to work off some of the energy... and many doggy day cares offer training also. Of course that said, the family still needs to carry on the training when the pup is home.

When people call me about puppies, that is one of the biggest reasons I ask and want to know about their life style. And if their schedule is already packed full...with work, children activities, other outside activities, etc. I will honestly tell them I don't think this is the right time for a dog of any breed in their family.

[MacPack]

As Sharron and Pat have said, there is no shame in realizing you are in over your head. It sounds great, a puppy for the kids, but the reality is a puppy that needs hours of attention and energy to become a well socialized animal. You have a huge energy debt..work, 2 kids, a very energetic young dog who has learned a behavior that gets him attention…good or bad, but attention. If the you and the kids are not enjoying him, rehoming him might be a win-win for everyone. He is nipping YOUR kids now, what if he nips one of their friends? And the parents are upset? Potential suits, or worse (for him). Sometimes making the hard decision to find a new home, or return to breeder, is really the best thing for everyone, especially the dog! One persons problem may be just what someone else is needing. It takes a very brave person to look at the reality, not the dream (dogs, kids, fun, fun, fun), and do the best thing for the dog...and for your kids. Not enough energy to go around, so keep it for your kids.

Good luck to you, if you decide to do that you certainly won't be the first or last. Being home and constantly on edge is no fun for anyone.

[Schouiffy]

I agree with what has been said above. But it's not all doom and gloom; your family might not be ready for a puppy but you could soon be ready for an adult rescue dog who is mature and more readily adjusted for family life. A dog that has already been trained and by some misfortune of fate doesn't have a family. There are loads in shelters and if you are still keen on a Basenji you could always look at BRAT one day when you feel ready.

[Patty]

I hope I'm not speaking ut of place here but it seems to me that the breeder didnn't have full knowledge of your situation before he/she let you have a puppy. When I was breeding puppies I always required full kniowledge of the proposed home situation before i decided whether it was suitable for a Basenji puppy.

I have made some mistakes and placed puppies in homes that didn't suit and have regretted it and had to take the puppy back in those cases.

You obviously have such a busy life and really a Basenji puppy does not seem ideal for you and your family. You certainly seem to be stressed out and i feel so sorry for you. I totally agree with Schouiffy and the others who have so advised. Perhaps later on when your lifestyle is not so hectic you might reconsider. I know how hard it will be to let him go but it seems the best for both you and your family and the puppy.

[tangokor]

You know I did start thinking about this with the intentions of getting an older dog that had been trained and was good w/ children. I really didn't want to go through the puppy stage again. I have been looking at the BRAT site for a couple of years on a regular basis to see if there were any rescues in my area that might suit us. Then I was considering a one year old from the breeder but he was adopted. I have waitied the last 10 years for my kids to be older and us to be ready for this and really thought we were. That's how long it's been since I had my last one. I do go home and spend my lunch hour w/ him walking and playing w/ him so he's never alone more than a few hours without a break. But I think he's still bored. And when outside I try to have one of us out there w/ him most of the time.

Yesterday my sister who own 3 Goldens and has quite a bit of dog training experience came over to walk him while we were gone. She said he was trying to knock down the gate to get upsairs (he's not allowed up there, it's my daughter's room) When she told him no and fixed the gate he jumped up and bit at her, not hard but he's still biting. He also did this to me a couple of days ago, biting my arms and legs again.

I am afraid of what might happen w/ other kids. When the smaller ones are around I've seen him chase after them trying to play too hard so I don't let them over w/ him in the yard anymore. But he loves going to see them and letting them pet him when he's on leash.

I hate to give up and the kids are getting attatched but yeah, it is no fun for any of us to be on edge either.

[sharronhurlbut]

Sounds like time you listed this dog with BRAT.

[khanis]

Please don't take this out of context…. but,

THIS IS NOT A RESCUE DOG.
He does NOT ever go to BRAT.

Don't ask for help here... call KYLE!!!

[sharronhurlbut]

Kathy, if this breeder will take the dog back, even better..but we both know how folks don't like to call the breeders…

[khanis]

@sharronhurlbut:

Kathy, if this breeder will take the dog back, even better..but we both know how folks don't like to call the breeders…

I am a co-breeder on this puppy.
She needs to call Kyle… but, I would suspect he will call her first since he has now been informed.
The puppy didn't come from MA... the puppy is out of a KHANI's bitch and sired by an Eldorado dog.

With what has been posted, the owner is not ready for a PUPPY.
This basenji is spending TOO MUCH time in a crate.
I would act up and get into stuff too if I were crated that much.
He should be sleeping with her since he is crated all day long.
Why have a companion if it is going to be crated all day and all night long???

[tangokor]

Khani's- I thought you were the co-breeder. I was just looking at his papers when we were at the vet. I did send Kyle an e-mail. I want to try working w/ him until I make a definite decision. I think they are in the process of moving right now so I'm sure they have alot going on. Just waiting on a reply from him. I would never place him anywhere without them knowing.

[Patty]

Khanis - I'm sorry that when I gave my advice I didn't realise your interest in this puppy -but I'm sure I haven't said anything you wouldn't agree with. If I have spoken out of place please accept my apologies.

[tanza]

I don't think any of us spoke out of place…. some of us knew the breeders (and co-breeder) some didn't, but all the advise was pretty much the same.... especially when it was known that this pup came from a responsible breeder.

Hopefully all will work out for the best