Skip to content

Destructive behaviour

Behavioral Issues
  • Hi all,

    My basenji Hugo is 8.5 months old and after the initial puppy nightmare passed has been pretty easy so far.

    Recently though he's taken to absolutely obliterating his soft toys within seconds of being given them. My general approach has been to supervise and take them away once the destruction begins, but now it seems he's realised that the couch is soft too, and begun to attack that.

    I'd like to nip this in the bud as quickly as I can. I have some bitter spray that I apply to any furniture he takes a shine to but it doesn't seem to last. Are there any other approaches I could take?

    He gets two hourlong walks a day. Usually he'll come in from the first, we'll have a little training session and then he'll sleep until about 2 pm. At that stage I usually give him something meaty to chew or a feeding toy that will keep him occupied until walk number 2. I've read a lot about destructive behaviour arising from boredom, but his routine hasn't changed lately.

    I work from home so he's semi-supervised throughout the day. Should I just be making sure he stays in the same room as me?

    Thanks for your help!

  • It's been my experience that a prompt, firm, "no" at the moment of indiscretion is the best solution. Yelling is not necessary. Neither is acting like the sky is falling, jumping up, or lurching towards the dog. If you are right there (as in sitting next to the dog) when it happens, you can put your hand over the spot and reinforce your command with eye contact.

    It's a simple, effective, method.

  • Welcome to the wonderful world of teenage Basenjis. My first Basenji, who joined the family at 11 months old, was thoughtfully destructive until she died at age 14.5. Thoughtful as in she thought about what to destroy before turning our belonging into trash. Ella was the devil.

  • I was a little pre-occupied earlier today, and Doodle displayed her displeasure at my constant delays... how? She got up on the sofa and did this little prancing-dancing thing. Like she was saying, "haha, look at me misbehaving". LOL oh yeah.... if that is her "breaking bad", I'm in trouble, she's got my heart!

Suggested Topics

  • Destructive behavior…I'm probably just venting

    Behavioral Issues
    16
    0 Votes
    16 Posts
    9k Views
    eeeefarmE
    I've always had less issues when I have one rather than two, but OTOH, if I was out a lot I would want the second one as a companion. I don't think it is fair to leave them alone for hours every day. (Basenjis are smart enough to figure out that when they do something all they have to do is act cute and let you think it was the other one that did the deed!) :)
  • Stressed out about this behaviour and need help…..

    Behavioral Issues
    22
    0 Votes
    22 Posts
    12k Views
    A
    I agree with JayCee. I had to know his limits with my male and not put him in a position where he would fail. As yes, some dog owners dont understand the basenji play, but some do. I have met a great bunch of folks at the park who have taken some time with their dogs to help mine out. Very much appreciated. No matter what kind of dog you have, there will always be that one person at the park the park who has a problem. I avoid those folks. I also want the park to be safe for all. If someone brings their children in, I remove my dogs immediately since i dont know how they are with children. Always be respectful of other owners and dogs at the park. Anyway, i want my basenjis to be able to play with any kind of dog and not just basenjis. Success so far.
  • Dog Park behaviour help.

    Behavioral Issues
    19
    0 Votes
    19 Posts
    6k Views
    P
    Going back to an earlier suggestion on Bewler's post - I wouldn't throw a bowl of water over two dogs in a fight - it will most probably make them even angrier. What a shame that some owners arer so irresponsible in taking aggressive dogs into the park. It is a privilege to be able to allow interaction in a friendly level in such an environment.
  • Unusual Behaviour

    Behavioral Issues
    2
    0 Votes
    2 Posts
    1k Views
    Buddys PalB
    Well, it sounds like you are on the right track in what you are doing-asking people to ignore her until she feels ready for the new person interaction, not threatened, and on her terms. She is a little insecure (not bad, I have a hound dog that will do the same thing if I am not there, otherwise she will lick you like you are part of the pack/family) She needs to have interactions slowly and on her terms and in time will possibly improve with maturity and self-confidence. She depends on you and your partner as protectors of her pack, and when she is ALONE, she is defensive. NORMAL to some degree. Maybe the next controlled situations where you have people over, instruct them to ignore her with not eye contact, no talk, no touch, and throw a treat. You both have to ignore her as well, let her gain confidence. The very fact that this person is here lets her know all is well. Leave the room, come back. In time she will accept. Now, mind you this is being typed without being there and observing the whole context. Hope this helps…..Deb
  • Worried - new aggressive behaviour

    Behavioral Issues
    9
    0 Votes
    9 Posts
    3k Views
    agilebasenjiA
    Cats are almost always hypERthyroid; dogs are almost always hypOthyroid. And there is a long list of hypothyroidism, (no idea about hyper, i don't have a cat) and dogs will often just have a few symptoms, not all. just google. Personally, I'd look for a behaviorist and get the Control Unleashed book. It talks about how to create a new history for experiences. It also talks about threshholds which you really need to understand in dealing with a dog like this.
  • Funny behaviour

    Behavioral Issues
    15
    0 Votes
    15 Posts
    6k Views
    S
    Bassitt is pretty sure that she's agile like a cat. Except she outweighs cats by at least 10 pounds. She's forever falling off of the back of the couch because she thinks her butt's smaller than it is. (Then she gets scared because she fell off. Then she runs away and doesn't look where she's going and runs into stuff and gets scared.) In short…She's a total klutz, but in such a delightful way!