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Bruiser is in the house!

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  • Hi just wanted to ask you how ur training is going, both at home and professionaly…I am looking through the forum to find suggestions on the nipping and crating and came across your thread and it seems you are making great progress. How did you "time out" your baby when he nipps? I'm looking into a trainer but was hoping to get some advise on my own as well.

  • There are 'breeders' and then there are "BREEDERS' remember puppy mills and back yard breeders never call themselves that. I find it hard to believe that, unless there were some unusual circumstances anyone would let a puppy go that young.

    That said - let me tell you about another strategy that might be useful, teathering. You have a longish leash that is attached to the puppy and you - perhaps to your belt loop. That way - the puppy is somewhere in proximity to you and you can still keep an eye on him.

    I agree with the others that you shoulc but the crate in your bedroom. Welcome to the world of basenji slaves.

    Diana
    MIJOKR Basenjis

  • Update on Bruiser.

    Crating in the bedroom at night is a must. He doesn't need to be taken out now till about 5-6 in the morning. He is learning to control it. He completely UNSTUFFED his porcupine until it was just a hollow covering with little balls of cotton EVERYWHERE! So I resurrected the porcupine and bought another one….maybe he will last at least a week....we shall see. The nipping still continues, but is getting a little better. He gives his affection by grabbing my arm or hand at times and when he does it too hard I get onto him. If the behavior continues non-stop, I then crate him for around 5 minutes. Another suggestion would be to spray the area he is nipping at with bitter apple, this will put a stop to it temporarily.

    I took him to the park last weekend and he made it half a mile before he was completely taxed. He sprawled out on the concrete where every part of his body was touching it. Wish I had my camera for that one...completely hilarious!

    Today we had our 1st day of puppy class. Wow.....complete psycho spaz! Everyone else's dogs were relatively well behaved. He was not aggressive to the other dogs or people, very curious and loving. He was chosen to show how to use the clicker for treats....but....he didn't like the treat he was given. So the lady tried 4 more treats and he rejected all of them. So she then switched dogs to give the demonstration. I told everyone that we would probably be the problem couple and my prediction came true. BUT he was the only one who had learned to sit before classes began. He did very well with the clicker and is responding very well. Why do I think I will lose my clicker? He did steal the show from every other animal at Petsmart, everyone thought he was the cutest thing alive.

  • Another trick to try in crate training is to give him a KONG toy (black only) with a LITTLE bit of Peanut butter stuck way up inside when you put him in the crate. This will keep his attention for a while. If you give him the toy when you crate him this not only distracts him for awhile, but also he learns to associate the crate with the pleasures of having the best thing in the world to him-peanut butter!!

  • @nomrbddgs:

    Another trick to try in crate training is to give him a KONG toy (black only) with a LITTLE bit of Peanut butter

    Why only a black kong? I've never heard this before??

  • Black kong toys are the hardest. Red are next, with green, white, blue, etc following. Black kongs are(believe it or not) guaranteed. You can ship the pieces back to the company with the original invoice and they will ship you either a coupon or a replacement. Having an indestructible toy is not an option with a basenji as all things are destructible! However, these do last the longest. :)

  • Ah your little boy sounds so sweet. Funny that eventhough he wasn't behaving in class he still managed to be the one who learned first. Good job Bruiser

  • @nomrbddgs:

    Black kong toys are the hardest. Red are next, with green, white, blue, etc following. Black kongs are(believe it or not) guaranteed. You can ship the pieces back to the company with the original invoice and they will ship you either a coupon or a replacement. Having an indestructible toy is not an option with a basenji as all things are destructible! However, these do last the longest. :)

    Thanks for the tip on the kongs! I used red which lasted with my B, but I always say he was not an "extreme" B :) But I am bringing home two rescues next month that may be more typical than mine was.

  • @MaxBooBooBear:

    Thanks for the tip on the kongs! I used red which lasted with my B, but I always say he was not an "extreme" B :) But I am bringing home two rescues next month that may be more typical than mine was.

    Ohh WOW!! Congratulations! - or did you put this news in another thread? :)

  • @Duke:

    Ohh WOW!! Congratulations! - or did you put this news in another thread? :)

    Thanks! No–I think this is the first time I mentioned it. I was going to wait until I brought them home the first week of April, but I'm really getting excited.... :p

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