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I'm onto you!

Behavioral Issues
  • I didn't understand at first,
    I thought she was misbehaving.
    Grabbing the toilet paper and dashing out of the room...
    Ripping (bigger) holes in the socks I left by the bed...
    Chewing on the attachment to my hair dryer that never gets used...
    I thought I was just learning about having a Basenji.
    Then I caught her!
    As she turned to look back half way down the hall...
    I'd swear she had a laugh in her eyes.
    With a "catch me if you can!" smirk on her face.
    She wasn't trying to be a bad dog...
    She just wanted me to play a bit with her.
    So I knotted up that old ace bandage,
    And we played "tug of war".
    The material was stretchy,
    Which just made it more fun.
    We played a little bit.
    She didn't need to grab more things.
    Now we understand eachother.
    She was only bored.

  • Yep. :)
    Just like children, you can give them good attention or bad... you are in control.

  • Such a cute story...and so true!

  • It is their boredom that you have to curtail (pardon the pun), not there energy or their spirit. I have four Bs, and they all have different personalities. The bones keep them occupied for a while, and they keep their teeth clean. Their teeth are important.

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  • Do they or don't they?

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    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!
  • I'm expecting, how do i prepare my B-baby?

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    Huge Congrats. I can't give any advice but your pic made me laugh out loud :D
  • PEEing in my daughters' rooms !

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    @senji: I don't know if it makes a difference but Deke loves his crate covered. i put a blanket over it he can hear us but not see us. I think he feels safe(like a den). As a puppy he would cry until we covered it, then he'd quiet down. I don't know if that would help anyone or not. usually that technique doesn't work with crate phobic dogs because they freak out so much they pull the cover in and eat it :) been there, done that :) Good idea though, for the not-so crate phobic dog.
  • Unbelievable B's!!!

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    Animals definitely know. The one day that I've been sick since Ruby arrived, she curled up with me on the couch for most of the day…wasn't her usual rambunctious self. I once was taking care of my friend's black lab for a weekend and was sick one of the days. I was on the couch and the dog just came over and put his head on me like he was saying "sorry you don't feel well...don't worry about running around with me, I'll stay with you"...it was the sweetest thing, and we basically just hung out in front of the fire for the day.
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    Even with all his nipping and jumping all that meet him love him, do u blame them?
  • Ok…I've Had It...It's Muzzle Time

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    @Mantis: so how is it working? the LEAVE IT command is great. Start with not cat objects you dont want you puppy to play with, say leave it, get the attention and give a tiny treat… you can also encourage this type of response while playing fetch. when the puppy brings back the toy, hold the toy until the pup releases it, say GIVE not participating in any tugging or shaking behavior which encourages the prey drive. i find that a soothing voice and looking the puppy directly in the eye does the trick. they will look away or release the toy. if this is hard, use a tiny treat to encourage the GOOD GIVE after the fact. Leave it is similar. i used to chase caesar around when he wanted to chase the cats....lots of LEAVE ITs and treats, but the give works as well....caesar bled the two commands together.... give is good becuase it establishes your terms to the game and doesnt encourage that shaking behavior if you want to avoid it ( i avoid the behavior in case we have small kids in the house that pull toys from the dogs) leave it is good to establish your own terms.... Great post, Mantis. I totally agree, and great explanation of the training steps!