Skip to content

Harness chewing

Behavioral Issues
  • Ok I am going to make the AKC very rich by buying all their harnesses size medium! lol…
    Nike has chewed through 5 already in teh past 3 weeks. The only time they have them on is when I put them outside on a leash. And I know it's my fault for not watching them the whole time they are out there, but is there a better collar or harness that he can't out of?

  • Is this at home? In the yard? Is the yard fenced? Or is this at a dog park? You could try putting something on the harness that tastes terrible. Tea Tree oil comes to mind…

    If at home and in a fenced yard, is there a reason that you have harnesses on?

    My Mickii would eat off every single collar I put on the other dogs.. ggg... I could never leave them on the B's... of course I don't or would not leave them on anyway as I would be more worried that they would get hung up somehow.

  • Yes it is in the backyard, and no it's not fenced :(
    I wished it was. He is fine when we are going on walks, but as soon as he is left alone for more than 5 min he chews it up in a matter of a few minutes! Would a martingale collar work? I think the reason teh harness doesn't work is because he wedges his jaw on the shoulder part of the harness, and I figured that maybe a martinglae collar would work better since he can't get to it. Ahhh why can't he be more like his calm sister Mia lol…

  • @Mia:

    Ahhh why can't he be more like his calm sister Mia lol…

    Because he's a Serengeti boy of course! :rolleyes: LOL

  • Hello to all!
    I saw a posting from BRAT and a member who suggested the "buddy belt" harness. I was able to locate a shop in Philly although they do have them on ebay (depends on the size you need). My 2 Basenjis LOVE them and I love the fact when we walk no stress on their necks. They are kinda spendy but absolutely worth the $$. I haven't seen either of my 2 try to chew them–they are just so happy when I get them out because they know it means a walk! A good tip from the shopkeeper was: if you are on the verge of the next size--choose the smaller size as leather will stretch somewhat with wear. You can google Buddy Belt harness to view them on the internet. Good luck to you and yours. Michele, Gibby and Poe

  • Is there a reason that he needs to be put in the yard unsupervised, on leash? My experience with martingales is that they are quickly chewed off by a basenji if left on when the dog is unattended. I would be uncomfortable leaving my dog on leash in an unfenced yard unattended. The scenario in this thread, http://basenjiforums.com/showthread.php?t=3560, is just one that comes to mind.

  • You never really knows what's going on in a dog's mind – I had a mutt once who was the most friendly dog, loved people, never ever any problems -- then one time I was camping, talking with neighboring campers, and one of then lifted his arm demonstrating something (not threatening in any way to me) but my dog thought it was an aggressive act towards me and trying to defend me, lunged at the guy and nearly bit him. It was so out of the blue but it could have been a tragedy. Country or city, I would never leave my dogs unattended in an area so open to access by other people (despite what "Merle's Door" espouses), particularly if you don't know all the people.

  • Mine chewed their collars when they were young and we just stopped keeping them on them during hte day. For leashes, we have to put bitter apple on every time we go out as they just love to reach back on a walk and take a nibble.

    Every leash we have has a littel fraying about 4 inches up from teh clasp. Once, my in laws picked them up from the kennel when we could not get home in time and they forgot to take the leash off in teh car. One of th dogs chewed through a 1 inch nylon leash in about 30 seconds.

    We have started buying Lupine leashes as they will replace them even if chewwed. WE will see if they really mean it after 10 or so as we have had 2 go back already.

  • Oops, double post.

  • I really don't recommend leaving a basenji tied out, without a human being in the yard with them.
    Another dog can come attack them, someone can take them, or kids can taunt them..
    Just not good, imo.

  • Michelle, have you considered buying an outdoor pen for them? I know they can be a bit pricey but certainly less expensive than an entire fence would be.

  • @Mia:

    Yes it is in the backyard, and no it's not fenced :(
    I wished it was. He is fine when we are going on walks, but as soon as he is left alone for more than 5 min he chews it up in a matter of a few minutes! Would a martingale collar work? I think the reason teh harness doesn't work is because he wedges his jaw on the shoulder part of the harness, and I figured that maybe a martinglae collar would work better since he can't get to it. Ahhh why can't he be more like his calm sister Mia lol…

    Welcome to the club! Trixie chewed her way thru at least 5 - 6 harnesses and yes also in a matter of minutes. The only time she has a harness on is when she is going for a walk or if we are taking her in the car. She has had her current one for at least 3 months ! It's a miracle, but I feel your pain!

Suggested Topics

  • Chewing on his toe nails

    Behavioral Issues
    5
    0 Votes
    5 Posts
    10k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    Both Cara and Arwen keep their back toenails chewed appropriately short, but yeah if too short distract. You might even try using baby wipes when he comes in to wipe his feet down before he starts the licking.
  • Need advice with random chewing while at work.

    Behavioral Issues
    12
    0 Votes
    12 Posts
    5k Views
    D
    Basenjis are known for chewing and even my older/elderly dogs must be crated because of it. I was hoping it would lessen as they got older-it has somewhat but not totally. They like to chew the cover on the sofa and chair! Jennifer
  • Chewing Toys

    Behavioral Issues
    24
    0 Votes
    24 Posts
    9k Views
    MacPackM
    With all this talk about elf, er, elk meat, is it time for everyone to re-read the (yes, true) story of Dogs in Elk??? If you have never read this old 'chat list' discussion, be sure and empty your bladder first. http://www.webtree.ca/tree/keeper/dogs_in_elk.htm
  • Laika chews

    Behavioral Issues
    13
    0 Votes
    13 Posts
    4k Views
    V
    My red & white grew out of chewing up stuff when he was about 4. He had mastered unzipping the couch cushions and destuffing them! It was his duty to destuff any couch with a zipper! My female will be 8 next month and she (I'm afraid) will never grow out of destuffing/chewing! Small hole in a comforter, no problem, let's make it bigger and destuff it so the room looks like snow! Toilet paper, hanging on the toilet paper dispenser? Never in my house! It only lasts 2 minutes and then it is set on a path of distruction…down the hall....in the living room.....in the bathroom.....on the bed..... Unfortunately, she is teaching the toilet paper destruction to my almost 3 year old rescue. But he doesn't shred, he litteraly eats anything he is destroying. We have had to be extra dilligent to keep chew dangers out of his way. He is tiny for a male (20 lbs) and we don't want him to ingest something and not be able to pass it. I echo everyone else's statements. It's like baby-proofing your house, except it's basenji-proofing! And when you catch the chewing something they aren't supposed to have, scold them and give them one of their own toys. These are intellegent dogs, they get it....after a while!
  • Chewing nails

    Behavioral Issues
    12
    0 Votes
    12 Posts
    5k Views
    RivermoonR
    My first basenji used to bite his nails all the time. He especially liked doing it around 2 in the morning.:eek:
  • Chewing

    Behavioral Issues
    22
    0 Votes
    22 Posts
    8k Views
    BasenjiDivaB
    Cory seems to really like her crate at night. It is beside our bed and when she sees that we are on our way to bed, she goes right in and does everything but shut the door after herself. My husband is away on a trip and so the other night I left the crate door open at bedtime to see what she would do. She still stayed in there all night. She didn't come out until my alarm went off the next morning. At least if she starts to shred at night I should hear it. I'm going to keep my fingers crossed and hope that doesn't happen. Is Keoki in the room with you? Pat