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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

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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.
  • Muro PadsM

    Hiperactive 16 month old B...

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    DebraDownSouthD
    @Muro-Pads said in Hiperactive 16 month old B...: He's 16 months old. I did hire a personal trainer, and accomplish basic training, basenji style with no immediate come, short stay and no heel what's so ever 😜 Lol. But now that you mention it, I haven't been paying much attention to brain stimulation. I will try that. Any games in mind? He won't fetch...not that I expect him to... Well, you should be able to get an immediate come in an enclosed area. Even if you use a 40 ft line and reel him in, it does help. And heeling... they can do it but it's more fun not to. :) My basenjis all played fetch, btw. I start out with them inside, tossing the toy up in the air, playing tug with it... get REALLY revved up...toss off bed. They get it, bring back. Happy reward, more play. Then I work to the hall way. And I had to admit, once outside, it's 20/80 on getting it back more than a time or 2. HOWEVER, I took a lunge whip, tied a toy to it, and can get them to chase it in circles til their tongues hang out. As for mind/senses use. Teach scent games. :) My daughter used peanut butter on treats and went in room, down hall, places in the house, eventually outside. She was 8 working with a rottweiler who has far less ability than our basenji. :) Here's a page with some tips http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/pets/dog-behavior/fun-nose-games-for-your-dog Dog toys that they have to manipulate to get the treat help. I have to admit mine never liked them unless they were so noisy you needed ear plugs. Favorite ever was a freaking heavy wigler milk jug which I could throw a few treats in, toss outside and let the dog knock it all over the yard getting the toy out. But not really that mind stimulating once they figure it out. I keep looking at this one but not sure how well Cara would go for it: http://www.amazon.com/TRIXIE-Pet-Products-Board-Level/dp/B0054Q9TMA/ref=pd_bxgy_199_img_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=1226G4ZQN61BFCV4RSE9
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    3 yr old starting to get aggressive

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  • eeeefarmE

    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

    Basenjis that can't stand other basenjis

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    wizardW
    My previous males never had an opportunity to meet other basenjis (outside their breeder kennel) so don't know if the experience with my current female is "typical" or not. The first time she encountered another, it was a tri-color older female that was a real bitch and instantly got aggressive (now whenever they see each other its "hackles up"). The first time I took her to a lure coursing event, mine was friendly enough until a little blind female came up and bit her. The second time I took her to a LGRA event, a lady came up behind us (while mine was trying to potty) with her tricolor female and her dog attacked mine. So now hackles go up any time another female comes within shouting distance.
  • c-busC

    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.