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I'm onto you!

Behavioral Issues
  • elbrantE

    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.

    elbrant.net

    8
  • J

    So true!

    1
  • DebraDownSouthD

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

    Debra

    1
  • B

    Such a cute story...and so true!

    1
  • R

    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.

    Len aka Redial
    Queensland, Australia

    1

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    Why all this talk about 'unpredictable'?

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  • eeeefarmE

    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!
  • rnastoR

    I'm seeing double

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    I think that sounds perfect! You want the younger dog to be comfortable going new places without the older one; and you want the older one to still have some special one on one time with the humans…but there is no need to get carried away with having them do things separately! Dogs like to act as a pack :)
  • lanemichelleandolimarL

    I don't know what to do…

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    lvossL
    Have Michelle hand feed Olimar, at least one of his meals each day. At first, she shouldn't ask him to really do anything but should feed each kibble by hand with the only criteria being that he is not mouthing her or jumping up on her. After a couple of feedings, she can start to use mealtimes as an opportunity to ask Olimar for a sit, down, or even just calling his name and giving a kibble when he turns toward her or rewarding him for holding himself still while watching her. Doing this should help raise Michelle's value to Olimar and she should find that he pays more attention to her.
  • VanessaV

    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!