Hi, I have a 1 year old basenji/jack russel mix named Teagan. Her birthday was on the 4th. When I adopted her last march I really didn't know anything about basenji other than they yodel/chortle. Teagan does like to "talk back" but she will also bark at guys. What I could use help with is her chewing. She chews on wood, leather (chewed on 2 chairs to the tune of $450.:()toys and anything else she can get in her mouth. I have tried bitter apple, bitter yuck and cayene pepper (they actually like this). Anyone with suggestions?
Thanks.
How much exercise is Teagan getting during the day? How many walks and for how long? Do you do any training with her during the course of a day? I'm finding that a tired basenji is a good basenji. They need to be challenged both mentally and physically.
Thanks for the replay, Teagan has 3 other dog mates she plays very had with during the day. I live in Minnesota and though we try to get out for walks it's been very icey and the paths snow covered. We've also been dealing with extreme cold weather lately. So, I try and play fetch with her as much as possible and she tends to goes into "Spanglish" mode. I tire before she does. I had hope that some of her chewing would end with her teething but is has only switched to softer more pliable material - leather, rugs, toys… We just finished up another training session and I do plan to have her start again in February. She's a very smart girl - just loses interest fast.
Welcome. You might want to read the thread below! Lots of ideas and help. Chewing is simply a part of the breed where you are thankful and never boast if yours doesn't because you might jinx yourself, and you accept it if they do.
Frustrated with chewing:
http://www.basenjiforums.com/showthread.php?t=10430
You have "double" the trouble with a B/Jack mix…ggg, sorry to say.... The best advise is to keep track of where she is all the time... and if you can't do that, she be crated... Some grow out of it, some do not... some are chewers, many are not....
Thank you all for your help and suggestions. You are all right about a tired dog being a good one.
Colleen (Teagan's Mom)
I use closed doors and babygates to keep animals out of rooms where I am not.
I would also try a bitter apple spray to keep mouth off your shoes and couch.
It works for my 3 b's, altho some folks say it doesn't for their dogs.
Worth a try.
LOL, I have never had any luck with bitter apple…gggg, with any of my B's....
LOL Sharron, you are lucky. I haven't had a dog yet who didn't consider Bitter Apple, Tabasco and every other product to be nice basting sauce. 
LOL Sharron, you are lucky. I haven't had a dog yet who didn't consider Bitter Apple, Tabasco and every other product to be nice basting sauce.
I agree, even when I mixed in Hot pepper….
Wow, you all have some HOT sauce loving b's!
lol.
Glad it works for me.
I hope the thread Debra mentioned was of help. I second the using of doors and baby gates to keep b's out of rooms you aren't in - if I'm not in eyesight of Paco, he's in his crate or on an extendable leash on the balcony. If anything chewable is in his reach and he's unsupervised, it is officially "material for the shredder".
I hope the thread Debra mentioned was of help. I second the using of doors and baby gates to keep b's out of rooms you aren't in - if I'm not in eyesight of Paco, he's in his crate or on an extendable leash on the balcony. If anything chewable is in his reach and he's unsupervised, it is officially "material for the shredder".
Totally agree regarding using closed doors and baby gates. It's working well for us here. You constantly have to keep on top of things, otherwise what your basenji finds is fair game. For example, all shoes are behind doors. But this morning I kicked off my bedroom slippers before hopping onto the couch to read the newspaper. That was just asking for it, and sure enough…. 
But not the dog's fault - I call that "operator error".
There'll always be lapses (on the human's part, I mean) where you just forget to watch but otherwise it's as the others say a matter of being alert but above all give him plenty else to think about.
Having said that I've never solved the problem of one of my Basenjis who still chews at 13. No 'hot' never works (her grandmother loved hot curry so perhaps she got the taste!) - I have used a product called 'Pet Behave Trainig Spray' which contains ketone which I dilute with a cheap flower perfume and that does work sometimes but must be repeated frequently. It is not ideal as in its non-diluted form is a rather nasty chemical.
Thank you everyone for your suggestions. If for nothing else, it made me laugh.:) I just bought Teagan a Dental chewie, made of rubber, that you put toothpaste on and I'm hoping that it keeps her busy for a few minutes. She h as been chewing on the puppy chew toys. Fingers crossed.
Colleen
Another thing you might try is putting a little mentholated cream (like vicks vapo-rub) on the furniture (it doesn't harm wood but it may stay fabric). It lasts a very long time and mine hate the smell.
When home you could also work on a "leave it" command and reward everytime she drops whatever she shouldn't be chewing on. Either she'll learn to stop chewing on the object or she'll learn that she can get a treat if she chews on that particular object
Even things like soap will sometimes help to "slow" down the chewing on things…..
Even things like soap will sometimes help to "slow" down the chewing on things…..
Paco seems to like soap and sunscreen…he'll lick, go berserk for a bit, then lick again...
crazy pup.
Vicks on electrical cords works great! You have to re-apply often, but may save her life if she is a cord-chewer.
Good luck! Kongs are very tough too.
My husband used an unorthodox approach, he bought Nicky (not a pup but still a chewer) a used 'high quality brand name' purse at a yard sale for a couple of bucks. When he brought it home I said, I don't need that and he said "It's not for YOU" and handed it to Nicky. She was so proud and strutted around with her purse, which she proceeded to settle down to chew. That was over a year ago and there is still a big piece of it which she grabs and chews from time to time. Not saying my purse wouldn't be in danger if I left it out, but she is happy to have her own to chew.
A pup is too young to understand 'my shoe vs. your shoe' but giving Nicky her own things has helped us.
Thanks again for the suggestions. I'll try the soap and the vicks. It's the leather chairs I worry about.
Colleen Wyers
