Skip to content

Mouthing problem with my boy Khalani

Behavioral Issues
  • Khalani has a habit of mouthing. He never bites hard but he does do it often. It's strange, but he never ever does it to people he meets in the street.
    I discipline him immediately when he does it by either putting him in his crate for a time out and/or I cover his muzzle and tell him NO but he continues to do it regardless.
    Does anyone have any suggestions that have worked for them?

  • Update: we give them a rawhide chew (a 10" roll) every day for about 15 minutes. They need the chewing action very much and it keeps their teeth healthy.

    I'm not an expert, but with our Lela we gave her toys and stuff to chew on, and just kept on correcting the bad stuff and noticed that over time it stopped. Beware though, that there is a puppy phase where the pup doesn't bite to play but to check if you really are the pack leader - you'll notice the difference immediately - it is not play. This is behaviour that needs to be corrected immediately and very, very clearly. Lela got it after a few times and then it was over.

  • Khalani is only 18 months old, so I hope if I keep consistent he may grow out of it. I was hoping someone might suggest something I haven't thought of. I will try what kjdonkers suggested and find a toy he loves and substitute that when he decides to have a nibble.

  • To those of you that are having problems with mouthing, holding the muzzle is not a good solution. Substitute a toy for your "body parts" or totally ignore the pup and the minute that the pup settles down, praise.

Suggested Topics

  • Initial dominance problem

    Behavioral Issues
    8
    0 Votes
    8 Posts
    6k Views
    wizardW
    The NILF program is exactly the sort of thing your basenji needs. She has hit teenage time and like human teenagers is pushing authority. In this case, don't push her off the couch or yank the afghan from under her or any of those sorts of manuvers. Start by getting her attention just before she is going to jump onto the couch by offering a treat diverting her attention away from the couch. If she decides to come for the treat, she gets it, and then gets to be on the couch as a double reward; if she decides to complete her jump to the couch instead, she doesn't get the treat. Once she starts to look at you first ("asking permission") before she takes the couch then the reward becomes the couch. And to get her off the couch, use the reverse. Offer her a treat in such a way that she has to get off the couch to get it and click as soon as she decides to get off Once she understands that, add the "off" word. You might have to use treats just for this exercise that she wouldn't get any other time to make this more enticing to her. You might also want to introduce mat work so that she has to go to her mat or afghan or whatever, on the floor, instead of getting on the couch in the first place.
  • My boy has a problem with our intimacy….sigh

    Behavioral Issues
    22
    0 Votes
    22 Posts
    12k Views
    TuckerVAT
    Tucker just hops on the bed and lies down beside us. We've gotten used to it and just ignore him… ;)
  • Aggression and leash problems?

    Behavioral Issues
    10
    0 Votes
    10 Posts
    4k Views
    BasenjimammaB
    How interesting. Makes me want to keep my eyes open when we go to the dogpark..
  • The Boys are sooooooo sweet

    Behavioral Issues
    5
    0 Votes
    5 Posts
    4k Views
    jys1011J
    My dogs were very "clingy" when I was pregnant & the same with Tayda when she stayed with us one weekend. :)
  • Thyroid problems and behavior

    Behavioral Issues
    1
    0 Votes
    1 Posts
    1k Views
    No one has replied
  • This is NOT my boy!!!!

    Behavioral Issues
    10
    0 Votes
    10 Posts
    4k Views
    tanzaT
    And don't forget, now you have a second B in the house… and he will and can begin to think he needs to "guard" her... Aussie's are very intense... totally... just look at the picture you posted and the look in that dogs eyes... I also agree, you do not want to find out and yes, they can and would hurt other dogs....