Rogue is biting.

Basenji Training

  • @roguecoyote I'm going to try to address each item separately...

    Biting: I usually address this problem with (Xylitol free) peanut butter. Take a very small amount (because your pup is so young) and spread it on the palm of your hand. Offer it to your pup and give them lots of praise for licking the smeared peanut butter off your hand. If biting begins, close your hand and say, "no bite" (or just "no"). When biting stops, the peanut butter licking can resume. Once or twice and the problem should be resolved.

    Pink Paw Pads: It's cold out and there is a lot of salt and chemicals spread due to the snow and ice. Even if your pup is just in the backyard, you can still help protect their paws. Just rub a small amount of petroleum jelly on the paw pads. It provides a layer of protection for your pups paws. Not a lot, but a little is better than none.

    Tug of War: In my opinion, it would be better to teach Rogue to "drop" the ball when she brings it back. There are going to be times when you want her to drop whatever is in her mouth. Like when she finds food in the bushes on a walk. Being able to say, "drop it", and actually have her spit out whatever she picked up could actually keep her from getting sick. Ideally, you want Rogue to eat what you give her because you will know that it's good for her. If you enjoy playing "tug", do it on another occasion. Keep "fetch" as a lesson in coming back and surrendering whatever she has in her mouth.

    Overall: I think you are off to a good start. You ask really thoughtful questions about Rogue and her needs. You are giving her lots of love and attention. And you don't seem to be frustrated or annoyed with any of the puppy behavior. You and Rogue (and your Mom) are all lucky to have each other!


  • @roguecoyote said in Rogue is biting.:

    I've been trying to teach her to bite softly by letting her bite me

    I think that is where you are starting to go wrong. She should be taught quite simply that biting is out.

    Often it is attention seeking - don't let it get any. Ignore her, put her down, away from you, turn your back, walk away. Biting must not get her any attention from you. Rogue has to learn not to bite. You can also try growling at her as her mother would.

    @tanza has the right of it. Don't get her over excited or she will bite more. Calm, move away. She will pick up the messages. She's an intelligent girl !


  • @elbrant Is there an alternative? I'm allergic to peanuts, and I'm not seeing any almond butter or sun-butter for dogs. Rogue occasionally licks my face, and tries to groom my beard hairs. I also routinely have to remove small objects and bits of fuzz from her mouth. Giving her peanut butter probably wouldn't kill me, but I'd almost definitely get a rash.


  • @roguecoyote - I don't really agree with elbrant's suggestion, especially if you have peanut allergies. You should not take that chance. Please go with a loud yelp or a very loud "NO" and turn/walk away from her... and let her settle down... she really will outgrow this but it is up to you to instruct her on what is no approprite. And that includes "no more tug".... Take care and have fun with her, you are doing a good job!


  • @roguecoyote cream cheese is also a good alternative to peanut butter, especially the soft kind, as easy as peanut butter, and safe for your allergy.
    Keep up the good work and the communication!


  • @roguecoyote said in Rogue is biting.:

    Is there an alternative? I'm allergic to peanuts

    Sorry, didn't know about your allergy. Skip the peanut butter! How about some plain Greek Yogurt? (again, check to make sure it doesn't contain Xylitol.)


  • Hope these may help with Puppy Biting

    4 SIMPLE Exercises That You Can Do To STOP Puppy Biting

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IfzDIY5Ffs&list=PL7BBgLulhernexam5V0TGSy9daVSETS3B


  • @elbrant We give her plain regular yogurt, just a table spoon mixed into about half her meals. (the other half she gets a table spoon of cottage cheese.) Is greek yogurt better?


  • @roguecoyote Check to make sure it doesn't contain Xylitol. Manufacturer's use it on "diet" products and it can kill dogs. I don't know how much it takes, but don't risk it.

    Plain regular yogurt should be fine. And cottage cheese is the best cheese to give Rogue. :) I give doodle cottage cheese every week.


  • @zande said in Rogue is biting.:

    @roguecoyote said in Rogue is biting.:

    I've been trying to teach her to bite softly by letting her bite me

    I think that is where you are starting to go wrong. She should be taught quite simply that biting is out.

    Often it is attention seeking - don't let it get any. Ignore her, put her down, away from you, turn your back, walk away. Biting must not get her any attention from you. Rogue has to learn not to bite. You can also try growling at her as her mother would.

    @tanza has the right of it. Don't get her over excited or she will bite more. Calm, move away. She will pick up the messages. She's an intelligent girl !

    My 12 week old seems to just cling to the body part he's biting. He goes for my ankles (lol) and does not let go so walking away, not paying attention to or trying to pick up and put him down only gives him a new target (my hands). So, the "removing myself from the drama" thing I see said often online doesn't seem to make much sense if he's just going to keep biting as I walk or not let go.

    Will try the treat tip earlier in the thread but whew.. some of these bites hurt! Ha


  • @yahtzee92 said in Rogue is biting.:

    My 12 week old seems to just cling to the body part he's biting. He goes for my ankles (lol) and does not let go so walking away, not paying attention to or trying to pick up and put him down only gives him a new target (my hands). So, the "removing myself from the drama" thing I see said often online doesn't seem to make much sense if he's just going to keep biting as I walk or not let go.

    When a pup is persistent, you need to physically prevent the biting by saying "no" and taking hold of the pup and removing him from his target. Probably he will resist. Restrain him until he quits, then release him. Rinse, repeat. His mother would likely pin him down and growl in his face. Be like Mom. Let him know it is unacceptable.


  • @eeeefarm said in Rogue is biting.:

    His mother would likely pin him down and growl in his face. Be like Mom. Let him know it is unacceptable.

    Growling is often a very effective way of getting something across - especially to a very young puppy.

Suggested Topics

  • Puppy teething/biting

    Basenji Training
    18
    0 Votes
    18 Posts
    2k Views
    tanzaT
    @zande - I have place pups at 9wks, but typically to prior Basenji owners, they know the "ropes"... also I do eyes at 9wks, so 10 works better for me in placing pups and yes...(LOL) mine are raised in the home, no kennel.... and the breeders that I know that use kennel runs, still have their pups in the house for house time and "education".....
  • 0 Votes
    12 Posts
    2k Views
    eeeefarmE
    @zande said in Korben biting our feet and I don't know how to stop him.: Positive punishment is giving in to him. You are giving him exactly the attention he is seeking. Basenji do not like being ignored or shut out. That IS a form of punishment to them ! Agree, they don't like to be ignored. That comes under the heading of negative punishment. But there are things they like less. Depending on the dog, the skill of the trainer, and the punishment meted out, positive punishment can be extremely effective, but timing and choice of consequences is critical, so it's not something I recommend. Punishment is a loaded word, but it is the word used in operant conditioning. It evokes some terrible, painful consequence, but might be something as mild as a well aimed water pistol, which for some Basenjis (and some cats) would be reason enough not to repeat the action that caused it.....while with others it could turn into a game of trying to nail the feet and escape the spray. Without knowing the dog it's hard to guess what the result would be, which is why I am not suggesting it. The very best form of positive punishment is self inflicted, e.g. electric fence for livestock, invisible fence for dogs (if they don't learn to run through it), because of the consistency which a human trainer may lack. The consequences for most are unpleasant enough that they don't care to repeat the action that causes them. Horses seldom challenge electric fence if it's working properly, although some seem to detect when it is turned off!
  • 9mos..biting really bad…will not listen..

    Basenji Training
    23
    0 Votes
    23 Posts
    18k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    @lisastewart: Trog chewed on my ankles and wrists for a good nine month despite giving him as much play as I could to wear him out, Cara is extremely mouthy. She liked to hold my arm or hand in her mouth as she went to sleep, sometimes creepily rubbing her tongue against me. She has always done play biting but she has the softest mouth ever. It is rare for her to ever put enough pressure to make a indention even in her wildest playing. I am okay with that. I had one dog before her, a Rottie, who wanted to hold you. I didn't let on lead, but did while just sitting with her. But I'd look out to see Larry leading her down the road, him holding the leash, her holding his hand in her mouth. I figured her leading him was okay.
  • Play biting

    Basenji Training
    4
    0 Votes
    4 Posts
    3k Views
    KipawaK
    Totally agree that play time is over when the mouthing/nipping starts.
  • Biting: positive reinforcement?

    Basenji Training
    26
    0 Votes
    26 Posts
    9k Views
    B
    @agilebasenji: No scolding or fussing, just put the pup gently in the crate so he can "reboot" so to speak. If you've made the crate a rewarding place to be, using the crate for a short time out should not cause him to hate his crate. Otherwise, you could remove yourself, but leaving a b puppy in a room by himself is not too wise. I actually remove myself when my dog decides she'd rather not do a training session with me. (But she's 4.) No fussing, no scolding, no begging to play with me, I just quitely walk out of the yard and leave her by herself for a little while. otherwise, Linda gave some great advice. Okay, that's a good idea then… I think it could help him calm down.
  • Biting problem

    Basenji Training
    16
    0 Votes
    16 Posts
    6k Views
    T
    @agilebasenji: FYI - tea tree oil is great, however it is toxic to cat, so if you have cats, you may want to rethink (or at least not put it on the cat) Good to know about the cats…thank you we do have 2.