Skip to content

'Beavering' problem

Behavioral Issues
  • Thanks for all your replies. We have thought about a companion but aren't in the position to do that just now unfortunately.

    Where could I get bitter apple spray from, might give that a shot. Currently take to putting scrap bits of wood in for him to beaver on. Probably not the best thing to do but not as much munching on the house when it's there instead!

  • Caz - you can get Bitter Apple from Amazon.co.uk

    I also think a 50/50 of vinegar might do it - it helped mine when she was in our new flat.

    Nice to see someone else from Scotland here!! =)

  • Do you crate your dog? That would solve destructiveness while you are out of the home.

  • Hi Schouiffy, up in the far north here :)

    Kipawa, we tried crating but he got far too distressed with it that I wouldn't want to leave him unsupervised as he's end up doing himself a mischief.

  • Not everyone is a fan of rawhide, but my Tucker does fine with it. Have you tried giving your B something else to chew on aside from the scrap wood? Nylabones are seemingly indestructable and my B loves to burn off some chewing energy on them. He also used to eat a lot of rawhide…before the muzzling... Try giving him something else, more natural, to chew on as a replacement to the door frames. You can also try blending up your food leftovers, putting them in a kong and freezing them overnight in the freezer. I know tons of folks who do this for their dogs to preoccupy them.

  • Our Dino, our first Basenji, had a thing for one particular post on the patio cover in our yard. We finally had to replace it and put a metal flashing around it. Didn't matter what we sprayed on it, and he didn't beaver the other posts! Attached is the Polaroid pic we took of it right before replacement, with Dino supervising.

    Terry
    attachment_p_135648_0_scan_pic0006.jpg

  • Forgot to mention, he was 7 years old when this pic was taken! So, no, he didn't grow out of it…

    Terry

  • Terry, that is hilarious, sorry! LOL. I had a square, wooden coffee table when I first got Shadow. The table ended up being oval, but he has never chewed up anything like that since. It may be the smell of that particular post, or product.

    Caz, is it one particular spot, or just random spots that he chews on?

    My one girl hates the smell of toothpaste, so I sometimes use that if she decides something is yummy to her.

  • Fan of rawhide…. hm. It kills dogs. I wouldn't say it is issue of being a fan, it's an issue of seeing a dog choke to death, a horrible death, the kennel owner literally mauled trying to get it out of his throat. It is many vets and professional links I provided stating they are, in fact, too dangerous to be worth the risk. If you use the huge ones and watch every second, remove as they start to unknott, remove before they actually get any off... they say fine. But most are sold to be consumed. Glad you have been lucky, but I try not to give my dogs high risk things when so many safe ones are available. And yes... nearly 30 yrs later I can still see every minute of that incident play back in my head.

  • Terry, your story is wonderful and from that photo, I'd say Dino was an Olympic Medalist at Beavering!

  • What a great picture Terry..pretty amazing woodworking there.

  • I agree rawhide shouldn't be sold for dog chews.
    There are so many other things that will work for our beloved b.

  • Terry, that is some pretty impressive beavering!

    Nomrbddgs, there's not a particular place just pretty much every door frame or facing in the hallway and his bed.

    He adores dried pig ears and big marrow bones but won't touch them if he's been left them, he'll only eat when you get home.

  • Terry…
    LOL...Ok, my kids "beavering" hardly seems like "beavering" at all when I see your pic. :D:D Excellent work Dino!

  • My rottie removed the rockers from my rocking chair, lol. But that is very impressive for sure.

Suggested Topics

  • Initial dominance problem

    Behavioral Issues
    8
    0 Votes
    8 Posts
    5k Views
    wizardW
    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.
  • Crate Problem

    Behavioral Issues
    13
    0 Votes
    13 Posts
    7k Views
    S
    Yesterday it was three poops on the morning walk :-)
  • Why all this talk about 'unpredictable'?

    Behavioral Issues
    4
    0 Votes
    4 Posts
    2k Views
    K
    I got a big 'good' and 'unpredictable' surprise this morning: Binti was chased from view by a german shepherd and didn't come back. Usually they will walk around until we find each other again. This time she went all the way back to the car park, where she sat down next to our car, whining and moaning. I had no idea she knows which car is ours…
  • Do they or don't they?

    Behavioral Issues
    12
    0 Votes
    12 Posts
    6k Views
    P
    I've followed this thread with interest and I think both Debra and Fran have pinned it down. I do think that right and wrong are subjective and that those who say that animals feel guilt are anthromorphising. Guilt is a very human feeling. I raise my Basenji to respect me but I also respect them. They listen to me and I 'listen' to them. I see no need for physical discipline. My dogs are taught from the beginning what their limits are. Not to say that they are instantly obedient. They are just normal Basenjis with normal Basenji instincts. Some are unacceptable to me and that is where I draw the line. I believe the tone of voice is very important as is the Basenji's vocalisation. I feel it's good that we don't always agree - after all it would be a very dull forum if we did!
  • Walking Problems

    Behavioral Issues
    4
    0 Votes
    4 Posts
    1k Views
    I
    I am not sure what kind of harness I have and can't find a 'proper' name for it online. This link shows what it looks like although I didn't purchase it from this site: http://www.dog.com/item/adjustable-nylon-harness-black/ . I have double checked and it isn't pinching or pulling them in anyway. It is not really tight, but is a little snug so I don't loose control of them when I am walking them. One dog I have had for awhile and at first she liked it (I actually got it on loan from the rescue where I got her to use and had to end up buying it from them because she got out of all other leads that I had for her - think she just wanted that particular one). After being fine with it for around a month she no longer wants to put it on. I have to lure her into it and put it over her head…once it gets over her head she will sit and lift her leg nicely for you to put it all the way on. The new dog hasn't been here two weeks yet and acts like her about the harness - he too liked it when he came, but now no. Any help would be great - I really lilke the harness because I feel like I am not hurting them too much, can keep control on them, and feel secure that they won't get loose using the harness. I have seen the one's that go all the way around them with the harness clip at the top but not sure if it would be safe to use - they could probably escape? Not sure what to do from here..but they have to walk and will have to use a lead. The gentle leader I feel will not keep him or her secure. I live in an apartment but we are around a lake with tons of land and wild animals. They are always trying to track something and with the surroundings so inviting they will be gone if they get loose. TristA
  • Ok…I've Had It...It's Muzzle Time

    Behavioral Issues
    16
    0 Votes
    16 Posts
    8k Views
    QuercusQ
    @Mantis: so how is it working? the LEAVE IT command is great. Start with not cat objects you dont want you puppy to play with, say leave it, get the attention and give a tiny treat… you can also encourage this type of response while playing fetch. when the puppy brings back the toy, hold the toy until the pup releases it, say GIVE not participating in any tugging or shaking behavior which encourages the prey drive. i find that a soothing voice and looking the puppy directly in the eye does the trick. they will look away or release the toy. if this is hard, use a tiny treat to encourage the GOOD GIVE after the fact. Leave it is similar. i used to chase caesar around when he wanted to chase the cats....lots of LEAVE ITs and treats, but the give works as well....caesar bled the two commands together.... give is good becuase it establishes your terms to the game and doesnt encourage that shaking behavior if you want to avoid it ( i avoid the behavior in case we have small kids in the house that pull toys from the dogs) leave it is good to establish your own terms.... Great post, Mantis. I totally agree, and great explanation of the training steps!