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.
Mouthing problem with my boy Khalani
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Khalani has a habit of mouthing. He never bites hard but he does do it often. It's strange, but he never ever does it to people he meets in the street.
I discipline him immediately when he does it by either putting him in his crate for a time out and/or I cover his muzzle and tell him NO but he continues to do it regardless.
Does anyone have any suggestions that have worked for them? -
Update: we give them a rawhide chew (a 10" roll) every day for about 15 minutes. They need the chewing action very much and it keeps their teeth healthy.
I'm not an expert, but with our Lela we gave her toys and stuff to chew on, and just kept on correcting the bad stuff and noticed that over time it stopped. Beware though, that there is a puppy phase where the pup doesn't bite to play but to check if you really are the pack leader - you'll notice the difference immediately - it is not play. This is behaviour that needs to be corrected immediately and very, very clearly. Lela got it after a few times and then it was over.
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Khalani is only 18 months old, so I hope if I keep consistent he may grow out of it. I was hoping someone might suggest something I haven't thought of. I will try what kjdonkers suggested and find a toy he loves and substitute that when he decides to have a nibble.
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To those of you that are having problems with mouthing, holding the muzzle is not a good solution. Substitute a toy for your "body parts" or totally ignore the pup and the minute that the pup settles down, praise.
