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.
BIG problems with Jack…
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Good. Ill keep that in mind. Im going to call around. I was wondering if maybe BRAT would be able to point me in the right position…Ill have to give them a call as well
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We all can see how much you care about Jack.
We care enough for you to tell you the issues we are concerned about…for you and for Jack.
I so hope you find a behaviorist who can help you.
In my experience, I have found the only way I can trust a dog who bites is to structure my house/life so he isn't given the chance to do so. -
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Exactly, Sharron....I was trying to say that, and couldn't find the right words. It is a lot of work, isn't it....
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Having done basenji rescue for years, I have found that some dogs will bite, and then stop…its rare, but we just had a young basenji who did just that.
However, the norm is that a biter is a biter and they have learned that to
help them cope with whatever stressers are pushing their buttons.
All you can do, to make sure it doesn't happen, is figure out what is causing the biting and not do it...or work with a professional to make this behavior
something the dog can handle.
Keep the dog "safe" when others are around, and manage the dog so that he is not given a chance to bite, or put him to sleep.
If anyone has any other suggestions, I would so like to hear them. -
Hi Sharon, it's me Lynne the one with Shiloh. Everytime Jack growls or shows any signs of aggression I would say "Ouch!" and ignore him and act sad and disappointed. Dogs behavior is based off attention, and even negative attention is still attention. This will give him a command that means no aggression or biting, and will take away the reward (attention - even if it's negative attention from you). Also, communicate with him as you would any person or child, and let him know what is going on and that people will be coming and going from the house and that they will come, but they will leave, but that you, aiden the baby, jack, …will stay at the house- make sure you say it in those terms. Also, sit alone with Jack and do a visualization of a house with different rooms I would recommend talking your way through the visualization - "We live in this house Jack and you and I come in the front door and there's a bedroom upstairs, there's a bedroom down the hall, and then as we turn left there's a bedroom that is just for you. Now we're walking in the bedroom and...." Now fill the room up with all his favorite things and things that are just for Jack and that house represents your heart and the bedrooms are all parts of your heart and the baby has a bedroom, and your other child (if you have one) has a bedroom, and Jack has a bedroom too. You do this for all of your animals so that they know that they still have their special place in your heart that is just for them. You visualize it and you verbalize it - animals do understand what we say, but we have to say things in the positive sense if you say the friends and family are not moving in the animals get a picture of friends and family moving in you need to say everything in a positive way "the friends and family are coming (they get the picture of the people coming) and then the friends and family will leave, but me, and baby aiden, and dad, you, and ....we are all staying here together." Animals also communicate telepathically with you, and this is where the visualization helps as well. Try to create a special place for Jack that is Jack's place - a bedroom, a laundry room, whatever it is that has a great bed, and great toys, etc...Let Jack know that you want him to be nice to everybody so that he can get lots of love and be with the group, and if he does not, then he will have to wear the muzzle for a little while. Give him the choice every time, and remember to say Ouch before you would put the muzzle on. When he's being good thank him for being so nice and good and that you love that you can all be together and get along. He's trying to keep his place in the family - he's not being mean he's being scared that he will have to leave because there will be no room for him - he's trying to keep his place and keep your love. Don't be scared of him because then you have just relinquished your alpha position - you are the one in control even when he's doing that. You could also use a timeout instead of a muzzle - and just let him know that is the consequence. You don't want to punish him for being scared, but you want to make sure he learns that it's not acceptable and that he has his special place with you always and that he is loved and will stay with you. Be consistent, and I think he'll be fine. Also, I would get a kong toy and fill it up with peanut butter or whatever he really likes, and that will keep him occupied and busy and having fun, and you could maybe set up a crate with a bed in it and put the kong toy inside it - leave the crate open, but let him go in and be in his little special cave with his cool toy.
~Happy Thanksgiving~ -
Wonderful advice. I hope Jacks owners can make this work.
I am going to try this with some of the rescue dogs I see as well.
THANK YOU. -
If you have the National Geographic channel, check out the Dog Whisperer (you can also find some clips on youtube). He is a behaviorist, but as many times as there is something to correct with the dogs behavior, there is also some behavior that the humans need to change as well. I've been working with our Samantha to get her from trying to lunge at cars. When she is walking along in the calm submissive state she has no problems with the cars - and is a lot more pleasant to walk. Being a basenji, she is of course a little more independant minded, but she still behaves according to the pack rules that all other dogs respond to. The dog whsiperers name is Casar Milan (http://www.cesarmillaninc.com/)). I've seen him make a huge difference in a very short period of time. Having seen him at work, I would whole heartedly recommend a behaviorist for a problem as significant as this.
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If you have the National Geographic channel, check out the Dog Whisperer (you can also find some clips on youtube). He is a behaviorist, but as many times as there is something to correct with the dogs behavior, there is also some behavior that the humans need to change as well. I've been working with our Samantha to get her from trying to lunge at cars. When she is walking along in the calm submissive state she has no problems with the cars - and is a lot more pleasant to walk. Being a basenji, she is of course a little more independant minded, but she still behaves according to the pack rules that all other dogs respond to. The dog whsiperers name is Casar Milan (http://www.cesarmillaninc.com/)). I've seen him make a huge difference in a very short period of time. Having seen him at work, I would whole heartedly recommend a behaviorist for a problem as significant as this.
Sorry there are many of us that think that the "dog whisperer" is a crock…. I would suggest that anyone find are real behaviorist... if you look at Casar and compare to Victoria Stilwell, that is seen on Animal Planet... I would certainly call her first................
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By the way, her show is called "Its me or the dog"….............
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Sorry there are many of us that think that the "dog whisperer" is a crock…. I would suggest that anyone find are real behaviorist... if you look at Casar and compare to Victoria Stilwell, that is seen on Animal Planet... I would certainly call her first................
You go, girl….I can't comment, because I have banned myself from this topic
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Andrea, we need your comments…
Please wade in. -
Andrea, we need your comments…
Please wade in.Thanks Sharron
I can't keep a level head when the topic of the dog whisperer comes up, so I just have decided to stay out of it. I will be happy to offer up positive, reward based solutions whenever I can though -
I apologize for nearly inciting a riot over the dog whisper thing - I just starting watching the show a month ago, and he seemed to do some pretty incredible things. But after reading many of the comments posted on the forum, I can see that there are better ways. My main point though, is that many times there is behavior that needs to be modified on both sides, and in a situation like this, if it were me, I would certainly bring in a behaviorist.
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So I'm joining this conversation really late (I really should check the forum more often!!!)… here's my two cents.
I understand completely about not being able to afford a trainer for Jack. However, if you would like I can put you in contact with someone who I am pretty sure does payment plans. His name is Peter and I use to work with him at the aquarium. You may have actually seen him at the park with his giant polar bear looking dogs! He use to be a sea lion trainer and really knows his stuff when it comes to training animals (I mean, when you initially deal with 700 lb. creatures you kinda have to!;) ). He now owns his own dog training business.
I am sorry this situation has occurred for you! Jack really is a wonderful B and it sounds as though he is having a rough transition.
I understand completely having to live with a "problem" dog and struggling over wether or not to give them up. I have to say though that I am really glad we toughed it out. Sophie (who you may know) has a history of biting people at what seemed random times (as well as not being socialized, has leash aggression, etc.). We have been really patient with her and have worked hard to get her to where she is but the finished product is astounding! Tears actually well up in my eyes when I think that I almost let her go because she seemed too much for us to handle. Patience and knowledge seems to be the key words. Do try to find out as much as you can about kids and dogs living together.
Again, if you would like Peter's number then I am happy to get it for you. Also, if I can help at all please let me know. Sophie and Stick would love to take him to the park with us for a big B romp.:D
Kiss the baby and pet Jack for me!
Audrey -
Audrey–that's so nice of you to offer to Jack to the park--I bet Jack's family could use a little break from time to time. I think there's a separate thread where they've decided to keep Jack and did find a trainer who is helping them.
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Again, if you would like Peter's number then I am happy to get it for you. Also, if I can help at all please let me know. Sophie and Stick would love to take him to the park with us for a big B romp.:D
Kiss the baby and pet Jack for me!
AudreyId LOVE LOVE LOVE to meet up at the dog park thats EXACTLY what Jack needs. You tell me the night before what time your going to be there and Im THERE!!! (depending on the weather because i have the baby, lol) But i KNOW Jack would LOVE to go to the park!! Let me know
Oh and the trainer we have been meeting with is doing well…Jack has been around some visiters recently and did GREAT we had NO problems!! But its still early so, im hoping for the best!!:p
