The NILF program is exactly the sort of thing your basenji needs. She has hit teenage time and like human teenagers is pushing authority. In this case, don't push her off the couch or yank the afghan from under her or any of those sorts of manuvers. Start by getting her attention just before she is going to jump onto the couch by offering a treat diverting her attention away from the couch. If she decides to come for the treat, she gets it, and then gets to be on the couch as a double reward; if she decides to complete her jump to the couch instead, she doesn't get the treat. Once she starts to look at you first ("asking permission") before she takes the couch then the reward becomes the couch. And to get her off the couch, use the reverse. Offer her a treat in such a way that she has to get off the couch to get it and click as soon as she decides to get off Once she understands that, add the "off" word. You might have to use treats just for this exercise that she wouldn't get any other time to make this more enticing to her. You might also want to introduce mat work so that she has to go to her mat or afghan or whatever, on the floor, instead of getting on the couch in the first place.
BIG problems with Jack…
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I want to a training class that said dogs often need to be "retrained" at the age of 5-7…that is, taken back to a basic obedience class.
They get to that age, and think they should "move" up in the pack.
A gentle training class with a work to earn approch is recommended.
That is, you dog has to "do" something to get.
He has to sit to get a treat, sit to get on the couch...be invited to the bed, that type of thing,...he had to EARN the right to do the things he is getting for free now.
I know you have a new baby, and your tired and time is short...but its a way to keep this dog with you. So, my advice, is to give it a try. -
"our" behaviorist is having us wait for Keoki to make eye contact – however briefly right now -- before he gets anything from us. Eye contact for a cookie, for a lap, for dinner, etc. He makes eye contact, we say, "Yes!!!!" or "Good Boy!!!" with a big smile.
The idea is that he is NOT behaving for the reward, but for pleasing us. "Oh, when I make Mom happy, good things happen". When I don't, then Mom puts the cookie away, or doesn't pick me up, etc. He should learn to watch ME carefully for cues to desired behavior.So far, well...its been a crazy week w/lots of people in and out, and me on the run a lot, so I haven't been able to implement this very well. Friday we are heading for my Mom's, which means the dogs will be confined a lot, which means this training will be delayed yet again.
But AFTER Thanksgiving, I'll be able to really give it a go. Even with as little work as I've had the chance to do, he is beginning to catch on....beginning. -
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lol, sometimes jack STARES at me RIGHT in my eyes, kinda freaks me out…lol. but yes i make him give me eye contact for a sit and then he gets his biscut. BUT as soon as i give it to him a runs to the nearest rug to eat it...i should make him sit and stay...but he came to us not knowing any "tricks" so at least he sits and lays down on comand...
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Yeah…that Basenji stare. Not sure what other dogs may do it, but I know my dobie, corgis, yellow lab, golden retriever.... none of them did it.
The B's are soooo intense. They stare as if they are sure you can read their thoughts -- or maybe they are reading yours?
Hang in there with Jack. I have high hopes.
You know, Jazzy is very particular about people; there are a few -- she ADORES one of my sisters, my niece, and my dd's boyfriend -- that she likes well enough. Otherwise, she'd just as soon never have company, esp. kids, over. I often just crate her or keep her in the ex-pen when guests {esp. w/kids, but there is one adult woman that for whatever reason, Jazzy has hated since their first meeting!} We've had her since she was tiny, and she was well-socialized -- way better than Keoki was, and he'll let anyone in!
Just like people, they certainly all have their own little quirks.
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So far he hasnt really bit anyone but he tried to bite a friend of ours. but its the one person who REALLY spends TONS of pet and treat time with Jack while shes here. and one day she was sitting on my bed and jack was sitting in front of her but facing me and she was petting him for a while then all the sudden i noticed his hackles up and before i could warn Melissa, Jack jumped up to bite her (he missed) but then he just sat back down like nothing happened
I know mine would be a little funny about any non household member in certain places of our house, especially our bedroom and most certainly the bed.
We had a close friend, our breeder friend actually get grumbled at by Max.
Max never growls at anyone usually, but because she walked back to our bedroom following my wife, he did it to her and he knows her well.
My wife told her, "Max never growls at anyone, let alone you?", she said he was defending the bedroom and her. He was just doing his job.;) -
It is interesting that how they decide who they like or dislike. I had to take Cory to the vet last week because she was limping. (Apparently bruised her foot while trying to get out of her crate while I was out running errands.) Both the vet who examined her and the tech are females. The tech is very obviously pregnant and Cory decided instantly that she disliked her. Her hair stood up and she was actually growling at her. Cory was threatening enough for them to ask me to muzzle her. This is the first encounter Cory has had with this tech and so there is no "history" between the two of them. It really took me by surprise because this is a dog who will patiently tolerate a 22 month old trying to straighten her tail.
Pat
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When your boy stares at you, try blinking…don't look away, just blink.
If he reads you right, he should blink back at you.
In our house, we call this the "soft" eye...and its kind of a way for us to talk to our b's... -
When your boy stares at you, try blinking…don't look away, just blink.
If he reads you right, he should blink back at you.
In our house, we call this the "soft" eye...and its kind of a way for us to talk to our b's...I am going to try this
I like to get Squiggy to make his "yawn-y" noise. I am getting pretty good, but it has to be when he is relaxed and we are just hanging out.
I also LOVE when we are watching TV or I am reading and he is cuddled up with me and he kinda flips his head back/upside down kinda as if he is checking on me. Anyones elses do that? Is it just a B thing? -
I am going to try this
I like to get Squiggy to make his "yawn-y" noise. I am getting pretty good, but it has to be when he is relaxed and we are just hanging out.
I also LOVE when we are watching TV or I am reading and he is cuddled up with me and he kinda flips his head back/upside down kinda as if he is checking on me. Anyones elses do that? Is it just a B thing?Cory does that….makes my neck hurt to even imagine trying to imitate it! Kind of like when they seem to rotate their necks 360 degrees! Makes me wonder if their cervical vertebrae are like an owl's!!
Pat
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Sahara does the same, I guess it is a Basenji thing. I wonder how they do that, she likes to keep tabs on me even though she is sitting beside me. Funny dogs, they like to watch their pack members.
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Jack does that alot to check on Aiden, lol. he also tries to lay next to him with his paws on Aiden, of course we have to move Jack off of him and next to him instead. ALSO when Aiden Cries Jack comes and Stares at me like
"WELL SDO SOMETHING!!" hahaa. and sometimes he'll jump up on the bed next to Aiden and lick his head when he cries, like hes a puppy and Jack is tring to sooth him, its adorable!!! -
Awww Jackers is too sweet!!
My Topaz likes to put her paws on me too when she's lying next to me. Sometimes I ask her…do you want me to do your nails girl???!! 
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You know I think Jack is going to be alright with Aiden. It appears that he sees the new baby as a pack member also. The fact that he licks Aiden and touches him with his paw is sooooooo sweet. These dogs are the most loving I have ever witnessed.
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You know I think Jack is going to be alright with Aiden. It appears that he sees the new baby as a pack member also. The fact that he licks Aiden and touches him with his paw is sooooooo sweet. These dogs are the most loving I have ever witnessed.
I hope that is true, however seems Jack still has issues with others coming into the house….. even those that he knows... at least according to one of the last postings?
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Hmmm - makes me think that Jack's behavior with OTHER people may be a his way of protecting the pack - warning others to stay away from the baby and newest member. Maybe he instinctively knows the baby's life depends on pack protection. I don't know - that seems to be the way dogs behave in the wild.
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I agree 100% with you Duke, it appears that Jack is protecting his pack! I would always watch closely when he is near the baby, just knowing he is still adjusting to the new pack member. I hope he continues on his way to loving this member the same. When my son was a toddler my cat would walk around the yard with him (I was with my son also), and when my son would stop my cat would lay down and wait for him to move again. He watched after him even when we were in the house and never a scratch did he get.
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My girl basenji has always been good with kids, from bab's in arms to toddlers.
My boy, however is good with babies, but once they start creeping and crawling, he is NOT.
We know that and make sure we have baby gates up with the grandkids come visit.
It's just smart to protect both the dog and baby from trouble.
Do be careful with this…dogs don't mean to "hurt" but they can. -
I just want to point out, that it doesn't really matter why Jack is biting people…just the fact that he is willing to go to that level IS a threat around children. Some people are willing to acknowledge and manage this threat...but it should never be assumed or taken for granted that the dog won't bite a family member. Dogs like this bite when they get angry, or scared, or threatened, or irritated...and that does happen MORE with little kids in the house, than without.
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I just want to point out, that it doesn't really matter why Jack is biting people…just the fact that he is willing to go to that level IS a threat around children. Some people are willing to acknowledge and manage this threat...but it should never be assumed or taken for granted that the dog won't bite a family member. Dogs like this bite when they get angry, or scared, or threatened, or irritated...and that does happen MORE with little kids in the house, than without.
Well put Andrea….
