Skip to content

A diagnosed biter

Behavioral Issues

83/83

16 Sept 2007, 22:13

Suggested Topics

  • 0 Votes
    5 Posts
    3k Views
    @Saving thank you very much for the suggestions!
  • Will not pee

    Behavioral Issues 24 Oct 2023, 00:40
    1 Votes
    4 Posts
    2k Views
    I don't get other dogs in the yard but I do get foxes, she will sniff but isn't bothered.
  • 1 Votes
    4 Posts
    889 Views
    It would be useful to know more about this dog. Has resource guarding been an issue in the past? Has he bitten either you or your wife before? (a real bite, not playful nipping). Or anyone else? A dog that isn't used to children may be fearful of their loudness or quick movements. Perhaps you could do some socialization work with him, e.g. hanging around places where young kids congregate to accustom him to their noise and activity. Obviously not allowing any interaction as you are unsure of his behaviour. Dogs react differently to newborns. In my experience bitches are more likely than dogs to be tolerant, but it is very much the individual dog's reaction that counts. People have been blindsided when their supposedly tolerant and gentle dog turns out to be hostile to a young child. Bottom line, no dog should be left unsupervised around young kids, so in any event you would have to monitor his behaviour carefully once your baby arrives. On a personal note, of the five Basenjis I have owned, two bitches were entirely reliable with kids, the other was tolerant as long as they respected her space. One of the males adored children and was curious about them, the other curious but uncertain and would react to fast movements. I did not trust him and controlled any interaction closely. IMO, he would have bitten had he felt threatened. And kids, especially babies, tend to grab and pinch, ears, tails, whatever. Caution is always the safest route.
  • 0 Votes
    10 Posts
    1k Views
    Neutering is not going to help - training is. But a good trainer will train YOU to deal with the dog. If a trainer can get him to behave but you can't - there is little to be gained from paying out money. This is something you should never have allowed to happen, but since it has, I think you should deal with it and @JENGOSMonkey has given you a good idea to start you off. Withdrawing treats is a good idea, but also, get up and walk away. He could be biting to get attention and therefore you withdraw the attention at the first sign of a bite, with a firm NO.
  • 0 Votes
    24 Posts
    3k Views
    @sarahmiri - I would say no to carrying him.... don't pick him up, but get down to his level as Zande pointed out in her response.
  • Potential Biter

    Behavioral Issues 14 Jul 2009, 02:10
    0 Votes
    21 Posts
    8k Views
    Some good advise here… add to that, when we talk about what they have to offer the breed, that doesn't mean just the gene pool.. It means, at least to me, first and foremost a family companion... because that is what our dogs are, part of the family first.. show/performance/possible breeding comes after. So if you don't have a good temperament to start with you are already behind the 8 ball. And while you or someone else with experience with a dog with a "questionable" temperament might be able to overcome problems, generally John Q Public can not...