Destructive behaviour

Behavioral Issues
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  • T

    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!

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  • elbrantE

    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.

    elbrant.net

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  • senjisillyS

    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.

    Lynn B.

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  • elbrantE

    @senjisilly LOL ( couldn't help it )

    elbrant.net

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  • elbrantE

    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!

    elbrant.net

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    Sounds like you're doing a really good job all things considered. Your experience with the dogs sounds like you're spot on with little Achilles. Dogs are dogs..and Basenjis are extra special dogs :D as you can see! In my experience these dogs NEED & WANT rules & direction. They're happy when someone else calls the shots. My little girls tends to get a little crazy with my male dog so I know what you're going through & while I can't "fix" her mood swings I do try to manage as best we can. When she gets "that look" I'll get her attention or throw a treat at her & she quickly goes into "ooh gotta find the treat" mood…sometimes I'll just pick her up & put her in my lap with her back towards the dog & lots of good praises for being good. I'm afraid that your daughter & her fiance may not keep up with all the work that you've been doing with Achilles & that could be disasterous for him. He's only 4 months & they really need A LOT of structure at this young age (kinda like kids :) right?) to be well behaved adult dogs. I really hope she follows your lead & what you've been doing. LOTS of pups need to be on a house line for a few months so that they learn the rules & learn how to behave. Good luck & hang in there...I promise you for all the work you put into this little guy you will get back 100 times over in love & respect.