I once saw a basenji clicker trained to scratch at the proper grade sand paper that was glued to a board. The basenji even curled his paw so the pads were not injured. This kept the nails perfectly trimmed. Perhaps the scratching/digging behavior could be re-directed into the more productive behavior and nail clipping would never be an issue!
Help with furniture and shoe and etc. chewing
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You might try getting some of those interactive toys - the kind that you can stuff with treats - to keep here more occupied.
Also awhile back someone suggested putting a bit of Vicks vapo-rub (doens't have to be this brand) on whatever you don't want her to chew. I've done that with my dog and she immediatley learned not to touch those items. The vapo-rub last for several days so I found it better than bitter-apple spray. You have to check fabric first though, some get stained.
Lastly you might also invest in an excersise pen (x-pen) so she has a little more room than just the kennel - it might work for the night time issue at least.I think the xpen is a GREAT idea….see how she likes that at night...it might do the trick.
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Thank you all SO much!!! I haven't really been "correcting," per se, anyway… and not at all for the door scratching... I don't really know how to go about doing that (correcting) with a Basenji, as I've read (in my obsessive reading about them) that they are very proud and must always "save face." I've said "no" in a rumbley way when she's mouthed my son's arm... I don't know if that's the right thing to do!! I've read several positive dog training books and she just doesn't seem to respond to anything. I do "switch her" when she's chewing things with one of her toys and say, enthusiastically, "Starla's toy!!" but she rarely takes them. We haven't even found a treat she really, really likes. She'll eat the Newman's Own Chicken ones, but not particularly enthusiastically. She won't even touch some of them. I'm getting quite a collection! Peggy at Colorado Basenji recommended freeze dried liver bits, and we ordered some, but you can't give too many of those. I don't know... I've had yet another semi-sleep night, and am at my wits end...
I think I'll get on that x-pen right away! I mean, can she be rehabilitated? She'll eventually not chew everything and relax at night... right? I can't live with no rest...
sigh...
On the bright side, she's not had an accident in almost three days (she wasn't house trained at all, according to the rescue, although she's never pood inside here), which is great!! I just have to watch carefully for the non-lying-down type of circling and then rush her out and praise lavishly when she's peeing outside... so that's good!!
Thank you all SO MUCH for the responses - it is most, most appreciated!! Kind regards! -Kim -
But I wanted to say it sounds like you are doing GREAT. And that I am so thrilled for little Starla, to have found what sounds like a wonderful second chance for a happy, and healthy life.
hang in there, Kim…keep trying things, she will respond to something and then you guys will be 'off to the races' with training. B's are so smart, you'll be amazed.
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Yes, it sounds like you are doing the right things - as for treats, my little tayda is a PICKY eater and she LOVES baby carrots! sounds weird. it IS weird. Also, little chopped up bits of hot dogs seem to hold her attention - at least for a while. But nothing like those carrots.
From what you described her previous life to be, sounds like she is probably very confused and unsure of her new surroundings - how is she to know that your loving home is how it's SUPPOSED to be!? She will come around… hang in there! And share your journey with us please! There are lots of rescue folks on this forum and we all love B's!
got some pictures????????
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Thank you thank you thank you!! I will try to figure out how to put pictures on here… I am just looking into the e-pen!! I live in a really small town, so I am almost positive I won't be able to get it here, unless the "Cowboy Corner Feed Store" has them... ?? I'm going to go look before I order online. Thanks again!! The encouragement really makes a difference in this adventure!!!
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K that one's kinda crappy…. here's another one...
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a399/nuthin_original/P1030598.jpg -
Another thought you could try with the crying while crating…there is a product called Comfort Zone (D.A.P) - that output pheromones that might ease stress for your girl. Some people have great success with it. You can order it thru PetEdge...and there are coupons on the Comfort Zone website.
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aww she looks sweet! good luck with her! Keep us updated… I'm sure you can find an expen online - I don't personally have one but I know there are threads here discussing online stores and prices...
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Some of the treats that I have had the best luck with are left overs from our dinners…chicken, steak, etc...little bits of string cheese...bits of lunch meat. Liver, I usually just cook it, not freeze dried. The smellier, juicier treat, the better.
She might just be so unused to treats that she isn't comfortable trying out new things yet. Just give it time
Definitely try the xpen. You need to have a place that you can put her when she isn't being supervised so that she will not have the opportunity to chew things. You might contact the rescue person you mentioned, and see if anybody has an x-pen you can borrow, before you purchase one. -
K that one's kinda crappy…. here's another one...
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a399/nuthin_original/P1030598.jpgshe looks really sweet
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She is doing well… but I am wondering if anyone has any info about NOT crating Basenjis at night... we would eventually like her to just sleep on her bed in our room (the crate is in the room....). Any input? Please keep in mind that she was crated for a LONG time, almost two years... THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!!! -joyful regards.
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Is she distructive when she is loose at night? Or have you just not tired her sleeping on the bed yet?
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I don't know if she's destructive at night or not… I mean, the second night we left her out for most of the night, and she eventually went to sleep, but I got up really early cuz I was nervous about it... So... I don't know!!! We've been "doggie proofing" the room, but she has gnawed on our couch and on blankets, and obviously we have our bed in our room :), so I guess that's the main thing she could get other than the fact that our air purifier is plugged in where she could get to the cord. We've been thinking about how to remedy that... I just need to get sleep or I get migraines, so I can't have a situation where I never get normal sleep, ya' know? It's so hard and sad to get her in the crate, though!!!
Thanks for any input!!! -
For a picky chewer, try a bully stick. I use the braided ones and they last a very long time. The single ones go down to fast and don't seem to satisfy the chewing instinct some dogs have. They're a little expensive at the pet store ($20.00 for 2 12" braided sticks at our local petsmart) but if you find your Starla likes them, you can order in bulk at a rescue society in CA, Walkin' The Bark…
http://www.walkinthebark.com/
Their product is wonderful. My older B with teeth problems even likes them. (As a matter of fact my vet said his gums and teeth look better this year than they have in the past 3 years–-it's the 1st product I have found in MANY years he will chew on) The single strand may be an option for you in case you just want to try them to see if Starla likes them.My Katie is a digger/scratcher. Ruined uncountable quilts, couche cushions, rugs, etc. We finally built her a sandbox in the back yard (a couple of 2 X 4's, bags of play sand, and some from our lake front to satisfy the scent factor) and she's happy to have a place of he own to dig to her hearts content. We also bury some of her favorite objects in the sand pit for her to 'discover'.
Good luck!!
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Try putting a little Peanut Butter on her toys or something else that is sticky that she likes. Sometimes it takes a little bit with the Nylabones and the Kong before they will like it. Some destuffed animals work really well for the most part. I get mine at the second hand store (no beanies) wash them, sometimes I'll rip out the stuffing and then give it to them to play with. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, but it's worth a try I'd say.
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Another thing my breeder suggested for mine was to give her an uncooked frozen soup bone (though I let it thaw a little). Most grocers have these - sometimes sold as "pet bones" or "marrow bones". This keeps Gossy occupied alllllll day and helps keep her teeth clean too.
I have to make sure she has someplace to hide it though when she takes a break (like the box with recycled papers) or else she will try to hide it in the couch or under the carpet or some other unsuitable place. -
Thank you! I went right out and bought one (well, I have to drive to another town, but got right on it since this morning we're looking at 6" of snow and it's still falling hard - sideways (that's Wyoming for ya)… She really LOVES it!! They smell awful, though! Thanks for the tips - I LOVE the sandbox idea!!! I appreciate all of the info you all have shared!! Thanks!!
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I don't know if she's destructive at night or not… I mean, the second night we left her out for most of the night, and she eventually went to sleep, but I got up really early cuz I was nervous about it... So... I don't know!!! We've been "doggie proofing" the room, but she has gnawed on our couch and on blankets, and obviously we have our bed in our room :), so I guess that's the main thing she could get other than the fact that our air purifier is plugged in where she could get to the cord. We've been thinking about how to remedy that... I just need to get sleep or I get migraines, so I can't have a situation where I never get normal sleep, ya' know? It's so hard and sad to get her in the crate, though!!!
Thanks for any input!!!I have never had one of my dogs be destructful (?) while they were supposed to be sleeping in the bed. They usually jump up on the bed, get under the covers, and sleep thru the night. In fact, they usually want to sleep much longer than the humans are allowed to.
Usually the destruction happens because either they are bored, or are frustrated that they can't get to what they want…when they are happy to be with you, and/or sleeping, none of the above apply
I would definitely try it, and see how it goes.
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Thank you!! I will try it, indeed! I really REALLY want her to be happy and well-adjusted, and it just seems that the crate is NOT working for her… I understand the advantages of having them "crate trained," but she's been crated for 2 years!! I think we'll just go for it. We even tried the pheromone spray in the crate last night and it seemed like it made it worse!!! I don't know... I don't think she can ever not think of it as traumatic... THANKS ALL!!!
