Our Thoughts on Training and Raising a Basenji
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I think you might be surprised what you can accomplish by just telling him no biting, and either getting up and walking out of the room from him, or ignoring him. I have even left my finger or hand in Roo's mouth while I have told him no biting and he stops. We have found that unless he is wound up to play, or hungry, we have less and less of a problem. Ignoring him and staying calm has really helped us control him. In our experience, we have seen dogs react to whats demonstrated.
Really? Just say "no biting"?
I'm sure I would be surprised if I hadn't already tried that. I have had my dog for almost 2 years now. I think the point was that because he was taken from his litter at such a young age, he lost the best teachers of not biting, or biting softly…his littermates. As I said before, that couldn't be helped, so I have moved on- I can still recognize the source of the issue. Since the discussion was about the pros and cons about taking a puppy from his litter at 8 weeks that is why I brought my experiences with Jack up. Because he lost out on this formative socialization time with PEERS who speak the same language, being taken to a shelter at 8 weeks.
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Really? Just say "no biting"?
I'm sure I would be surprised if I hadn't already tried that. I have had my dog for almost 2 years now. I think the point was that because he was taken from his litter at such a young age, he lost the best teachers of not biting, or biting softly…his littermates. As I said before, that couldn't be helped, so I have moved on- I can still recognize the source of the issue. Since the discussion was about the pros and cons about taking a puppy from his litter at 8 weeks that is why I brought my experiences with Jack up. Because he lost out on this formative socialization time with PEERS who speak the same language, being taken to a shelter at 8 weeks.
Robin,
I just want to say that from your descriptions it sounds like you have made great progress with a tough situation. Jack didn't get the best start in life and you have done a great job at helping him to overcome the problems that come with a rough start. It is true that some of his problems may never truly be solved but can be managed as you have described in other posts.
As a general statement, I think most of us are so passionate about importance of early socialization and the role of a responsible breeder because we have had first hand experience with dogs who have not had the best start. There are many lifelong issues that come with lack of early socialization and many dogs end up in the shelter when inexperienced owners become overwhelmed. My hats off to those who take the time and exercise the patience it takes to work with these dogs over the course of their lives.
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Really? Just say "no biting"?
I'm sure I would be surprised if I hadn't already tried that. I have had my dog for almost 2 years now. I think the point was that because he was taken from his litter at such a young age, he lost the best teachers of not biting, or biting softly…his littermates. As I said before, that couldn't be helped, so I have moved on- I can still recognize the source of the issue. Since the discussion was about the pros and cons about taking a puppy from his litter at 8 weeks that is why I brought my experiences with Jack up. Because he lost out on this formative socialization time with PEERS who speak the same language, being taken to a shelter at 8 weeks.
The only thing I would ask you to do is go back and read what you quoted from my original post. There was more in the message then just saying no biting to your dog. I am sure as you consider reading it again you might see what else I was saying and how it might help your situation.
I know you keep mentioning litter mates, but consider the fact that there are litters on occasion where only one pup is born, or something happens and only one pup survives. Who educates that type of puppy about biting in that situation. If there are no consequences when that puppy or any other puppy misbehaves, bites, or nips, then how do they learn?
I think if you really start to ignore the dog completely when he does this to you and walk away and leave him alone, I think you might see some impact.
Jason
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Agree… it is well documented that even if 50 or 60 degrees outside, inside a car, even with the windows cracked and in the sun, the temperature can rise very quickly.
Yes, but once again, assumptions are being made. I park in the shade and not in the sun. The windows are all cracked. I have already stated that my location is in the Mid West. I have also posted the ambient temps. I use a kennel or crate, to protect the dog so he feels safe and he is away from anything that could harm him.
Like Big Dawg said in one of his posts, it appears a person cannot make a post on this board without several of you jumping all over them. Its only seems when the majority of you are in agreement, that the posts the majority of you make fall into the category of non confrontational.
I withdrew from this chat board once before for the same reason. I am sure I will be seen as the confrontational one, once again, but I think its clear as day, who made assumptions and negative comments in regard to my post. What the real tragedy is, that instead of seeking more information to draw a more proper conclusion you assumed the worst.
People in the Mid West that rescue, train, and show dogs, constantly travel with kennels or crates in their vehicles. Some in vans, some in motorhomes.
This is just a fact of life. You certainly do not have to accept it or agree with it.
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The only thing I would ask you to do is go back and read what you quoted from my original post. There was more in the message then just saying no biting to your dog. I am sure as you consider reading it again you might see what else I was saying and how it might help your situation.
I know you keep mentioning litter mates, but consider the fact that there are litters on occasion where only one pup is born, or something happens and only one pup survives. Who educates that type of puppy about biting in that situation. If there are no consequences when that puppy or any other puppy misbehaves, bites, or nips, then how do they learn?
I think if you really start to ignore the dog completely when he does this to you and walk away and leave him alone, I think you might see some impact.
Jason
I think I will continue the training path I am on, thank you, since it seems to be working very well.
I'm glad you are having a good time with your basenji pup, and that he is coming along well.
I do hope that you do not have the same biting issues I had with my pup, since they were removed at about the same time. I do hope sharing my experience with Jack helped the discussion of puppy socialization in some way.
(walking away…)
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There are stickers you can get to hang on your mirror in the car.
It shows when the temp it so hot for a dog.
They are not expensive, and for me, this is one safe way to make sure I don't misjudge the temp. You can get them at pet smart and our humane groups also sells them.
What might work for me, in t's and shorts, won't work for a dog covered in fur. -
There are stickers you can get to hang on your mirror in the car.
It shows when the temp it so hot for a dog.
They are not expensive, and for me, this is one safe way to make sure I don't misjudge the temp. You can get them at pet smart and our humane groups also sells them.
What might work for me, in t's and shorts, won't work for a dog covered in fur.Sharron, that is a great suggestion, I will look for those next time I am in pet smart. I think the Pet Smart trainer told me that we recently had a Basenji Rescue person in our local store. Is there a list of who these people are that cover particular areas. I might be able to help with providing some transport or something else at times.
Jason
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Jason,
I've tried a similar approach with my girl with her aggressive biting and it worked. When Tallulah would bite I would walk away and she responded quite well.
I enjoyed reading your story. It is well thought out and very detailed. From the way you describe Roo, he sounds like a very smart boy. -
Yes, but once again, assumptions are being made. I park in the shade and not in the sun. The windows are all cracked. I have already stated that my location is in the Mid West. I have also posted the ambient temps. I use a kennel or crate, to protect the dog so he feels safe and he is away from anything that could harm him.
Like Big Dawg said in one of his posts, it appears a person cannot make a post on this board without several of you jumping all over them. Its only seems when the majority of you are in agreement, that the posts the majority of you make fall into the category of non confrontational.
I withdrew from this chat board once before for the same reason. I am sure I will be seen as the confrontational one, once again, but I think its clear as day, who made assumptions and negative comments in regard to my post. What the real tragedy is, that instead of seeking more information to draw a more proper conclusion you assumed the worst.
People in the Mid West that rescue, train, and show dogs, constantly travel with kennels or crates in their vehicles. Some in vans, some in motorhomes.
This is just a fact of life. You certainly do not have to accept it or agree with it.
I think Tanza was just agreeing with a post I made about being careful leaving dogs in cars.. no one was attacking you or saying you were not careful or were wrong for doing it.. we were just saying, in general, there are risks involved with leaving a dog in the car unatteneded..
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I think Tanza was just agreeing with a post I made about being careful leaving dogs in cars.. no one was attacking you or saying you were not careful or were wrong for doing it.. we were just saying, in general, there are risks involved with leaving a dog in the car unatteneded..
Thanks DiegosMom
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Like Big Dawg said in one of his posts, it appears a person cannot make a post on this board without several of you jumping all over them. Its only seems when the majority of you are in agreement, that the posts the majority of you make fall into the category of non confrontational.
I withdrew from this chat board once before for the same reason. I am sure I will be seen as the confrontational one, once again, but I think its clear as day, who made assumptions and negative comments in regard to my post. What the real tragedy is, that instead of seeking more information to draw a more proper conclusion you assumed the worst.
Sometimes, esp. with the written word, it is not so much WHAT is said, but HOW it is said.
The following descriptions are not directed at anyone, nor meant to describe any people here. It's just things I've noticed in the many e-forums I belong to.
Perfectly nice people can come across as pompous asses, wonderfully kind people can come across as judgmental know-it-alls, passionate people come across as over-bearing, People with the desire to share what they are excited about come across as though they are trying to cram their ideas down every one else's throat, total jack-asses can come across as wonderful people.
If we all try to keep that in mind, and temper our initial response to things that are written and try to give the writer the benefit of the doubt, I think there will be fewer confrontational posts.
Remember, we are all here because we love this breed and want to A} Share what we learn and experience, and B} learn from those with more experience.
Kum-ba-ya and all that jazz….... :p
Or, I could be way wrong.
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I think Tanza was just agreeing with a post I made about being careful leaving dogs in cars.. no one was attacking you or saying you were not careful or were wrong for doing it.. we were just saying, in general, there are risks involved with leaving a dog in the car unatteneded..
That was my exact interpretation. Adding caution to the wind…never hurt anyone. :) This is not an exclusive conversation - many people from all over the world at any given moment are viewing the forum - if they didn't take the time to read this thread beginning to end - blah - blah - iterating words of wisdom in the middle of any thread could save a life.
btw - I find advice about training is situational - every dog and every trainer has different styles. Hopefully when we get stumped with a training issue, this forum and members have different tried and true methods, various options are out there.
Thank you Jason for your time in sharing your thoughts and training methods that are working well for you. It's always good to have diversity and commonality.
ps - I don't want anyone else to feel left out with my appreciation - so a big thank you to others who've shared their important thoughts and training ideas here and elsewhere on this forum. You are all so very helpful.
