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  3. 8 month old is biting…can't get him under control

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

Behavioral Issues
  • P

    'What I don't like is dog owners going on a forum… seeking advice...
    yet not having talked to their breeder first.
    How can the breeder help if they aren't being informed of the issues???'

    Khanis - I totally agree. I do hope that people are doing this before asking on the forum. I know if I was the breeder I would be upset to think that I wasn't trusted enough for the new owners to come back to me with any problems and the sooner the better!

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  • agilebasenjiA

    Perhaps another thread on why people feel like they can't contact the breeder. What a breeder can/should do to foster lines of communication. I'd love to know why some people don't hesistate to call their breeder and others do something else. I want my breeders to be happy that they placed a pup with me (I'm pretty sure Linda's okay with me; I have 3 dogs from her), but for other people does that translate to feeling like they can't tell the breeder of problems? Does it make the owner feel like a failure? Hmmmm . . . I surely don't have answers

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  • MacPackM

    Hmmm, I have not been in that position, but I can see how a buyer who convinced the breeder that they were 'basenji people' and got a pup, then perhaps didn't follow all the advice, got busy with their life, maybe some unplanned changes, and a year later that sweet pup is a mess, biting or destructive. It might feel very humiliating to go back, head bowed, and 'admit' that maybe you weren't the 'perfect owner' for their darling pup.
    So you join a forum and start asking for advice, maybe someone will have a magic solution for you. You just don't want to face your breeder as "a failure" with a wild pup.

    Make sense? What could breeders do? Toss that scenario out there at the time of purchase, and say it's OK, not ideal, but OK, it happens. Pave the way for teaching and forgiveness, and really let the buyer know that you are there for them, willing to take the dog back anytime if necessary, no questions asked.

    Anne in Tampa

    Chipley, Missy & Lucky

    Topper, Nicky & Eddie in the clouds

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  • khanisK

    A breeder can't do anything that would make the puppy buyer contact them.
    The buyer is only as good as their promise…
    many times that isn't enough.

    I didn't realize this particular dog was out of our girl... until I looked back and saw posts in May... then I was a little annoyed that there are still problems... and the owner asking here.
    Kyle is more than reasonable and would be more than happy to help.
    The majority of good breeders jump through hoops to take back a dog.

    Kathy Britton

    Khani's Basenjis

    Portland, Oregon

    ….."You're just jealous because the voices only talk to me!"

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  • S

    So has this fellow contacted Kyle yet??

    Sharron Hurlbut

    BRAT, basenji rescue

    Evergreen basenji club

    Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue

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  • T

    Just an update on Tango. I'd like to thank all of you that gave me advice. I've used many of the suggestions I've been given here and I have talked to the breeder many times. I didn't realize that by also getting advice here that some people would get so offended. A breeder can be of great assistance and support but so can people that are having similar problems. I believe that is why these boards are here ??

    Tango spent almost a week with Kyle about a month ago and I haven't had many issues since then. He's grown out of alot of his nippy behavior and we've learned how to better correct his bad behavior.

    An older dog would probably been a better fit for my household but we're managing and he's a sweet boy.
    http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=5578227&l=897faf9350&id=661066455

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  • T

    http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=5578227&l=897faf9350&id=661066455

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  • P

    Glad to hear of your success with Tango. I think sometimes people may sound offended but not meaning to. I know when something kindly spoken is written down it can sound entirely different.

    Well done to you, Tango and Kyle.

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  • thunderbird8588T

    Glad to hear Tango is doing better, thanks for the update.

    Shelley

    Basenji Malaika

    Basenji Malaika
    Basenji Kwame

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  • Patty MP

    I'm a cheerleader for you and Tango! Please let us know what is going on, and remember, that we all have wonderful basenjis on our laps… I'm getting ready to go to bed, but here is my girl, all cuddled up in a cat-like curl, waiting for me to carry her to bed... and we live in FLORIDA? Too cute. :)

    Thank you for believing in Tango. He is new to this thing called life, and at the end of the day, all he wants to do is please you. I sincerely believe that basenjis are sensitive to our moods, and when they get scared/tense/mad and react, and then WE react... they react back. I'm so grateful that you didn't toss Tango into the basenji orphanage... I believe that he will be come the most loyal B there ever is! :)

    "I learned long ago, never to wrestle with a pig. You get dirty, and besides, the pig likes it."

    ~George Bernard Shaw

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  • C

    Anyone have advice for a male basenji afraid of kids? Brigs is 8 years old and will try try to bite

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    Wow, I'm afraid that's pretty overwhelming to deal with and like eeeefarm said, no way on earth to do it in a week. However, you do need to begin working on it soon and plan on a very long time to turn this around. Because this dog has shown he will grown and try to bite, your risk of him actually biting, and your legal liability are huge. If you can buy or borrow a secure crate (they aren't cheap) that he can't get out of or hurt himself in, do so. If you can't, do what eeefarm suggested, and make darn sure that leash and collar are totally secure. Once your nephew has left, please get a trainer to start working with your family and this dog on both children and crating. They are very important and it can be overcome.
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    Do they or don't they?

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    P
    I've followed this thread with interest and I think both Debra and Fran have pinned it down. I do think that right and wrong are subjective and that those who say that animals feel guilt are anthromorphising. Guilt is a very human feeling. I raise my Basenji to respect me but I also respect them. They listen to me and I 'listen' to them. I see no need for physical discipline. My dogs are taught from the beginning what their limits are. Not to say that they are instantly obedient. They are just normal Basenjis with normal Basenji instincts. Some are unacceptable to me and that is where I draw the line. I believe the tone of voice is very important as is the Basenji's vocalisation. I feel it's good that we don't always agree - after all it would be a very dull forum if we did!
  • J

    Please help…Tosca nipped at my 8 wk old!

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    MacPackM
    I agree, growling should neither be rewarded or punished, it is telling you that she is not happy and distressed, especially as she is not a regular growler. It gives you the chance to de-escalate the situation and be sure everyone is safe and comfortable. A good trainer will teach you, they won't have to necessarily see it.
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    I don't know what to do :(

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    kngK
    After having my girl for several years she become very irritable and out of control. She even attacked a friend's dog. It ended up she was diabetic. She is now on insulin. Now when she get irritable I know her glucose is out of control again and off to vet to adjust her dose. You really need to rule out all possible medical issues. If it isn't medical you might want to look at other option. It might be a little weird to some people but I have had a lot of luck with pet communicator with different pets over the years. It can help, just make sure you find a good one. Check out web site for someone I used in the past http://www.petcommunicator.com/
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    Play Biting is getting out of control any ideas?

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    wizardW
    One of the things I've learned from obedience classes and the various training books is that dogs (and IMO especially basenjis) learn to read our behavior really well but we're not as good at learning their behavior communications but they don't learn the nuances in language. Consequently they learn fast that they can get away with certain behaviors (like jumping and nipping) because we aren't doing our part properly to stop it. But they also can't tell the difference between "down = get off the table" and "down = lay down and be calm" and again we aren't doing our part to be consistent in our words (I think that's partly a function of our culture with so much slang and misuse of the language). I've found it is really hard work to be consistent in using verbal commands. Training a dog is as much training ourselves as the dog.
  • C

    Crate Saga part 2: Is it possible some Basenjis just can't be crated?

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    JazzysMomJ
    @luvsmy2bs: Have things gotten any better? Just curios,,,,,,I was reading your post and felt really sorry for you. Currently I have turned my dd's bedroom – thankfully she's away at college -- into a kennel. There is a 6 x 4' ex-pen w/top taking up the entire floor space of her room. Both Jazzy's and Keoki's crates are in there. At night he sleeps okay in that ONLY as long as BOTH crates remain open into the pen. If I close either crate, he flips out. During the day when we have to go out, as yesterday and today, I have to remove all "real" bedding and leave just paper toweling. Yesterday I made the mistake of leaving a small piece of carpet UNDER Jazzy's crate, and when we got home it had been pulled out and torn to shreds. It is obvious that he still wigs out, even in the large pen w/Jazz as today I noticed that the front of his crate {above the door, which was open} has been all chewed up, even though he was not shut in. Still working with the behaviorist; she and the vet are thinking long-term meds may be in order. That is still being discussed. He's going to hurt himself one day if we don't get a handle on this...and eventually dd is going to be home from college; then what? We can't travel with him like this either.