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Biting

Behavioral Issues
  • lvossL

    Have you considered getting a referral to a dermatologist? Since the fur loss is so dramatic, maybe they are causing her discomfort which is why she doesn't want to wear them.

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  • W

    We have been to a dermotologist. She was given a topical cream and suggested that we use a leather product.

    Wayne

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  • lvossL

    Have you let them know that she is seems to still be experiencing issues?

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  • SeattleMaxS

    Hope this improves…

    But good for you for caring so much and trying to figure this out!

    How about a photo?

    http://basenji-shaun.com

    Basenji Shaun in Seattle

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  • B

    BENNI BABU IS OUR 7 YEAR OLD MALE, HAD HIM SINCE HE WAS PUP RIGHT FROM THE BREEDER. HE HAS BEEN "FIXED". bENNI LIVES IN DOGGY HEAVEN, ON THE BEACH, AT A RESORT IN THE BAHAMAS. HE ALWAYS GOT ALONG WITH PEOPLE, AND LOVES OTHER DOGS. i ALWAYS CARRIED A POUCH OF SMALL TREATS WHEN HE WAS A PUP. i WOULD ASK EVERYONE ON THE STAFF AND GUESTS TO TAKE A TREAT AND GIVE IT TO BENNI, FIRST HE HAD TO DO THE HIGH FIVE TRICK, NO BRAINER FOR BASENJI'S. THIS SEEMED TO GET HIM SOCIALIZED TO ALL COMERS BLACK, WHITE, BROWN, WHOEVER. ALL HE WANTED TO DO WAS SNIFF PEOPLE.
    WE DID NOTICE THAT HE DID NOT LIKE HIS TAIL MESSED WITH. LITTLE KIDS ARE ATTRACTED TO THIS CURLY TAIL AND OFTEN THINK HE HAS TWO TAILS. WELL WHEN THEY TRY AND STRAIGHTEN OUT HIS "TAILS" HE WOULD SNARL, AND SOMETIMES MOCK-BITE. WE TOLD PEOPLE DO NOT MESS WITH HIS TAIL, AND THINGS WERE OK. MY WIFE WOULD TELL PEOPLE, LET HIM COME TO YOU OTHERWISE IGNORE HIM.

    NOW AT AGE SEVEN HE HAS BECOME KINDA MEAN AND HAS EVEN NIPPED SEVERAL PEOPLE, INCLUDING 2 KIDS. THIS IS BAD FOR BUISNESS, SO NOW WE HAVE TO KEEP HIM IN ALOT, A DOG WHO IS USED TO RUNNING, FREE AND PLAYING ALL DAY LONG. hE STAYS WET IN SUMMER CHASING FISH AND CRABS THROUGH THE SHALLOW MANGROVE FLATS. A DOGS LIFE. NOW HE IS LIKE A PRISONER. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. HE EVEN BIT ME WHEN I TRIED TO PUT COLLAR ON HIM. HE HAS NOT WORN ONE FOR YEARS. ANY HELP OR SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE GREAT. THANK YOU.

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  • lvossL

    First off, has he had a full veterinary work up recently. Physical exam and blood work. Often sudden behavior changes are due to not feeling well.

    Next, what do you do to build positive associations with touch? Not all dogs enjoy touch so you should be reinforcing touch as a positive experience. Feeding while touching the dog is one way to help build the positive association. Controlling his encounters with people so they are positive does not equate to being a prisner. Giving him a safe place to be away from the hustle and bustle so he doesn't have to put up with tail tugging and what not will help him to be happier but you need to build positive associations with that place so it is a place he wants to be.

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  • DebraDownSouthD

    A sudden change in behavior can be sickness, injury, thyroid, etc. A thorough vet work up is essential.

    Debra

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  • QuercusQ

    My first thought was bad tooth….definitely time for a vet check...

    Andrea Walters

    Quercus Basenjis

    NW Ohio

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  • MacPackM

    Could certainly be pain: Bad tooth, pulled muscle or back injury (or just arthritis and aches and pains) or thyroid! Have the vet do a 'full panel' not just a T4 (will have to be sent off to lab in States). A 7 year old who turns into a Mr. Cranky-pants might just have low thyroid, simple fix with 2 pills a day.

    Anne in Tampa

    Chipley, Missy & Lucky

    Topper, Nicky & Eddie in the clouds

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  • S

    I sure hope you can find out what is causing this behavior change. Sounds like your b have a "golden" life on your island.

    Sharron Hurlbut

    BRAT, basenji rescue

    Evergreen basenji club

    Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue

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    S
    @yodabasenji said in biting..again: Hey guys! Sorry about disappearing but I decided to quit the internet research, stop panicking and analyzing every aspect of my puppy. I focused on getting to know him better and creating a connection while applying the methods you suggested above. I needed to figure out how much exercise and other activity he needs, how to calm him down and he really needed to get used to touching and handling, so slooowly things got better. He still bites, but much much less (I don't need to walk in boots at home anymore!) and the biting is mostly connected to playing and sometimes him not getting what he wants but we're working on that. Thanks again for all the advice, it really helped. And as you said multiple times, it takes time, patience and consistency and it will get better. Glad to hear it. I'm happy to hear that you're working on relationship building. This makes things so much easier in general; teaching, living with, etc.
  • D

    Puppy Painful Biting Nonstop

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    @rgk9ruler said in Puppy Painful Biting Nonstop: xylitol, a sugar substitute, is deadly to dogs Thank you for the reminder! I don't do "sugar free" products (which would be obvious if you met me), but I often forget to mention this. Very important warning. Thank you!
  • ErinElisabethE

    Biting his Tail?

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    ErinElisabethE
    @eeeefarm: Sounds like transferred aggression to me. He knows not to bite the person, but is annoyed enough that he wants to take it out on something, and his tail is handy. :) I wouldn't worry about it if it doesn't get worse. I also wouldn't provoke it. Avoid annoying him if you can and the behaviour may extinguish on its own. Okay! Thanks for all your help!
  • ErinElisabethE

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    eeeefarmE
    You aren't likely to find a Basenji specific trainer. You need to look for someone in your area. Perhaps some other forum members know of someone. Any good trainer can probably help you, but it would be advantageous if they have worked with the breed. Best way to find out is by referral from someone else with a Basenji, but otherwise check out what you see on line, and phone them and ask. Whereabouts in Michigan are you located? Ah, Pat, you beat me to it! :)
  • eoyE

    Nipping / Biting

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    eoyE
    Wow thanks sinbaje!
  • wizardW

    Biting bitch

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    nobarkusN
    @AJs: This might be relevant… My cat of Questionable Heritage is the most friendly animal anyone will ever meet. She has never met a stranger. There is a very rare visitor who does not wind up with a cat on his or her lap. My step-mom is wonderful with animals, pet-sits for everyone and can approach the meanest junk-yard dogs anyone has ever seen. She can even "pet" bees. They won't sting her. They met each other when Sumi was a kitten. Sumi took an instant dislike to my step-mom. To this day, when Mom comes to visit, Sumi hisses, whacks her on the leg and stalks out of the room. Sumi has never done this with anyone else in her life. My point is, sometimes, animals take a disliking to someone for no apparent reason and there is no convincing the animal otherwise. It is not necessarily a reflection on either the person or the animal. Perhaps this is the case here. Like Forest Gump says " A Basenji is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you gonna get".