From your thread about this same problem with Simba on 4/15/09
http://www.basenjiforums.com/showthread.php?t=5863Did you do any of the suggestions?
That would be my question also, did you follow up on first making sure that there is nothing medically going on, like Thyroid issues?
I hope you can work with this dog within your family.
If not, you will have to disclose that this dog has bitten.
i have had him checked and there is nothing wrong with him.
Just today a few hours ago my sister was here with my nephew and all he did was walk by simba and he bit him on the Butt!! My nephew was ok just got a scrape and bruis.
I know you love him, but he may do better in a calm adult home. Another forum member went through a similar painful period with her boy who was nipping her kids and her friend's kids. She found a woman who had experience with headstrong basenjis and though painful, she made the decision to let him live in a home better suited to the basenji. A dog that bites may eventually have a sad ending. I hope you can find a behaviorist and work with them, or think of finding Simba an adult home. I don't mean to sound harsh, but the reality is that a dog that bites kids is a liability.
Good luck to you, this will be a lot of work to redirect Simba's behavior.
I know you love him, but he may do better in a calm adult home. Another forum member went through a similar painful period with her boy who was nipping her kids and her friend's kids. She found a woman who had experience with headstrong basenjis and though painful, she made the decision to let him live in a home better suited to the basenji. A dog that bites may eventually have a sad ending. I hope you can find a behaviorist and work with them, or think of finding Simba an adult home. I don't mean to sound harsh, but the reality is that a dog that bites kids is a liability.
Good luck to you, this will be a lot of work to redirect Simba's behavior.
+1.
One question, I can't remember though - is this dog neutered?
I will say that I don't think MacPack is being harsh…you need to be honest with yourself about the time, money and effort that might be needed to fix this problem. I agree, sometimes letting a pet go to a better suited home is the kindest option. Without a behaviorist, I think it would only get worse. In the other case that MacPack was talking about, the owner thought that in home behaviorist visits wouldn't work for her family because they were quite a bit more expensive than office visits and it was doubtful they'd get to the bottom of the problem without the dog being viewed in the home.
As an aside - I will say that I have 2 5yo basenjis and if I wind them up (run around, chase them, etc.) they will get mouthy sometimes (in my case, their tails are wagging a mile a minute so I know it is play) - I've found basenjis to be kind of rough players. It sounds like you have a really active household with the kids running around and I think it would take a behaviorist in your home to see if some of it is play and if not, what is triggering the biting and how to stop it.
Good luck and let us know what you decide to do.
I know you love him, but he may do better in a calm adult home. Another forum member went through a similar painful period with her boy who was nipping her kids and her friend's kids. She found a woman who had experience with headstrong basenjis and though painful, she made the decision to let him live in a home better suited to the basenji. A dog that bites may eventually have a sad ending. I hope you can find a behaviorist and work with them, or think of finding Simba an adult home. I don't mean to sound harsh, but the reality is that a dog that bites kids is a liability.
Good luck to you, this will be a lot of work to redirect Simba's behavior.
+1
I was going to tell my story when I realized this was about me and Otis.
We rehomed him after him nipping at the kids and us a few times. He is now in an adult only home and thriving. He has not had a single issue with growling (excepet when the new vet grabbed him rather roughly to check his teeth..he growled, the vet got the point and on they went..) or biting. He has mellowed out a lot, I think mainly from being in a home where he is not having to prove himself boss at all times..she (the new mommy) made it very clear from day 1 that she is the boss..and it works wonders on him. We tried doing that here, but with kids coming and going he constantly tried to be their bosses and the firm hand that was needed was not always there.
After taking him to a behaviorist he was diagnosed with Resource guarding, something that is highly fixable, with a stern upper hand and time.
We also had his thyroid checked by Dr Dodds, all was good on that front.
I know you are going through a hard time with difficult decisions ahead of you, but don't you rather do something now as supposed to when you are forced by law, because he hurt somebodies child bad enough?
That was why we went ahead and rehomed Otis..he deserved a new chance at a long life ahead. We miss him terribly, my 5 yr old asks constantly when Otis is coming home, but with time it will get better..Otis has lived with his new mommy for three weeks, so it is still very fresh in our mind and heart.
I wish you and your family best of luck, my thoughts are with you..
Found this.
Basenjis and bringing up a baby.
I ran into an issue with my boy Sonny when my nephew came along. Sonny had been around kids but none of the tiny nature. While my nephew was a baby Sonny loved him and always had to be snuggled up next to him. Never once showed anything but love towards the baby. That was until he began to crawl. Once Max was on the move Sonny suddenly growled at him. We spent time trying to work on this with Sonny but realized he just was not comfortable with Max now that he was mobile. We had to adjust our way of doing things and Max & Sonny can not visit my parents house at the same time nor can my nephew come to my house. Outside the house Sonny does not have the same issue with Max he does inside the house. But for now we keep them apart and hope when Max's grows up to a more basenji friendly age they will be the best of friends they started out as.
I am sorry this is happening to you.
As others mentioned… if you haven't followed up on some of those suggestions... it is time to get more serious about taking matters into your hands.
YOU are putting your child at risk.
There is NO dog worth hurting one of MY children... and I would hope others feel the same about their own... ESPECIALLY a small child that cannot defend itself.
This dog MUST be removed from the current situation and likt Otis, placed in a calm adult home. If you can't do that, the forever home is about where he would be going.
What happens when he gets turned in as a biter and/or he bites someone so seriously you are SUED?????
Things like this happened.
Don't think you know people enough they wouldn't... because your insurance company would fight tooth and nail NOT to pay any claims... that is how they make their money.
Please listen to the suggestions you are being given.. they are good ones... from people that have been in similar situations.
Please let us know that the safety of your child is paramount and you are going to work on this situation.
I re-read the thread Dan posted, did the math, and if I am correct, you have been in this situation now for about 2.5 years (since Simba was neutered)? IMO, that's a long time to be putting up with a very serious problem, and you have been extremely lucky that Simba has not urgently hurt anyone. You are not happy, probably very worried, and it sounds as if Simba is not happy. There are solutions, and it's my feeling that it would be best you look to re-home Simba into a family with no children and a slower social life. Sorry if I sound abrupt, but this is a serious matter for all involved.
I agree with everything all you are saying! I agree that he would be better in a kid free home. Yes, i have been dealing with this for a couple years now and its just getting worse. I dont want or need any one getting seriously hurt by simba. I know that it will be hard to find him the right home and it will be hard to let him go, since i have had him since he was a small pup.
Does anyone have any suggestions on how to go about finding him the right home?
@simba's_mom:
I agree with everything all you are saying! I agree that he would be better in a kid free home. Yes, i have been dealing with this for a couple years now and its just getting worse. I dont want or need any one getting seriously hurt by simba. I know that it will be hard to find him the right home and it will be hard to let him go, since i have had him since he was a small pup.
Does anyone have any suggestions on how to go about finding him the right home?
In this thread you said you got Simba from Meisterhaus.
http://www.basenjiforums.com/showthread.php?t=5702
Your first step should be to contact your breeder as I'm sure they'll want the dog to go back to them - did you sign a contract?
Just curious, but did you ever let the breeder know that you were having these biting issues with Simba?
Exactly, if this dog is from Meisterhaus, have you contacted Tad? And talked to him about all the problems? and/or solutions? I would be very surprised if Tad doesn't take him back?….
I told Tad about his problems when they started a couple years ago. But have not talked to him lately. I am going to send him and email right now and let him know the situation. I thank all of you for your input on this, and will keep you updated on simba and our situation. thanks!
@simba's_mom:
I told Tad about his problems when they started a couple years ago. But have not talked to him lately. I am going to send him and email right now and let him know the situation. I thank all of you for your input on this, and will keep you updated on simba and our situation. thanks!
What did Tad say or recommend back then? Has he not touched base on how Simba was doing?
No he hasn't touched base on how simba is doing, he just reccommended working with him and taking him to obedience classes. He said give it time. we took him to obedience classes, i have tried working with him and he just keeps getting worse. We don't have the funds to higher a behaviorist, especially with a new baby. I am afraid one of these days he is going to really hurt someone. then who knows what will happen to him, i would hate to have to put him down for injuring someone.
Then he needs to go back to his breeder…. so glad to hear that you are contacting Tad
Have you noticed anything else about his behavior? Have you been strip testing him for Fanconi?
Sounds like you are doing what you can right now..just wanted to let you know I am thinking of you all..
Tad will help you… or take him back.... BUT you have to tell him you need serious help and yesterday.
I will tell you, the last thing a breeder wants to do is read about the dog's issues online. BTDT.
Hugs to Simba from Khani's dogs.
Just wanted to let everyone know that Tad is going to take simba.
He's going to evaluate his behavior and find him the right home! I will be very sad to see him go but know its whats best for him! Thanks for all your help and i will keep you updated on simba!
