Skip to content

Questions about biting

Behavioral Issues
  • Joey is fine with the kids unless he is sleeping and doesn't want to be moved. Otherthan that, he doesn't growl at them.

  • Any suggestions on resources for positive reinforcement techniques for Joey? Online? He has been trained by the breeder to do some things like staying at an open door until he is released to go, but not to sit or lay down. I have been to an obedience class with another dog that I had, but I can say that it was more negative reinforcement than positive.

  • @JoeyQ:

    Yikes, have we done something really wrong??? Joey has not been aggresive at all. When we play with him he will "bite" our arms, but not hard. If we say "ow" or "no biting" he stops immediately. Should we not encourage this behavior? or is it ok to do when we are playing which has been the only time that Joey uses his mouth?

    We do the same thing. Alani will put her mouth around our arms but never bite down enough to even leave an indentation.

    However, sometimes she will grab a toy to play fetch and if I don't respond or tell her I don't want to play she will lay the toy across my arm and act like she's chewing on her toy but feel for where my skin is and start pinching it. I know she's doing it on purpose and she thinks she's so sneaky…but I know.

Suggested Topics

  • Biting

    Behavioral Issues
    26
    0 Votes
    26 Posts
    21k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    Saving money sometimes isn't the best route… a full thyroid panel gives massively more information. But a low dose won't hurt, and as Pat said, if it doesn't help, you wean off easily and done.
  • Biting his Tail?

    Behavioral Issues
    9
    0 Votes
    9 Posts
    12k Views
    ErinElisabethE
    @eeeefarm: Sounds like transferred aggression to me. He knows not to bite the person, but is annoyed enough that he wants to take it out on something, and his tail is handy. :) I wouldn't worry about it if it doesn't get worse. I also wouldn't provoke it. Avoid annoying him if you can and the behaviour may extinguish on its own. Okay! Thanks for all your help!
  • Delicate question

    Behavioral Issues
    15
    0 Votes
    15 Posts
    8k Views
    eeeefarmE
    @barklesshound: My neutured, male Basenji does this sometimes when he wakes from a nap and the pattern is always the same. There are two very hard acorn size lumps on either side of his penis, closer to the base but not as far back as the scrotum area. Yes, that would be the description of both of my neutered males. Usually after sleeping or relaxing, and it disappears quickly. Maybe erotic dreams at work? Pretty harmless, in any case. :)
  • Biting Issues

    Behavioral Issues
    24
    0 Votes
    24 Posts
    16k Views
    eeeefarmE
    You aren't likely to find a Basenji specific trainer. You need to look for someone in your area. Perhaps some other forum members know of someone. Any good trainer can probably help you, but it would be advantageous if they have worked with the breed. Best way to find out is by referral from someone else with a Basenji, but otherwise check out what you see on line, and phone them and ask. Whereabouts in Michigan are you located? Ah, Pat, you beat me to it! :)
  • Question on Submissive Wetting?

    Behavioral Issues
    12
    0 Votes
    12 Posts
    6k Views
    ComicDom1C
    @saralars: Yes this is true, I don't know anything for sure. I am just going on the owner's word that this was a pup from one of the puppy mill rescues and that they got her from a foster home. I am pretty sure I will get a 'mind your own business' from them if I ask which rescue they got her from. I will ask tonight though. Do most rescues come with a chip? I could get her to my vet for a scan…but not sure if I will just get owner info. or rescue info. from that. First, I will see if I can get an answer from them about rescue (which one) and then go from there. FAILING to me equals bringing her here for a month and not being able to help her with house breaking and in the process get attached to her and have it all be for nothing if I failed to do it. Thank you for your reply and common sense insight. I am a rescuer, a fixer! Looking at the big picture I don't want to enable them to keep on doing this. I can appreciate your position and the fact that you do not want to enable these people to keep doing something like this again. I guess I just have a different view of what rescue or what a rescuer is. In my view rescue or being a rescuer is about being a facilitator who helps retrieve animals out of situations that are unhealthy, unsafe, or unfit. Then that facilitator makes sure the animals health needs are met and attempts to find safe haven and stable situation for that animal where they will be loved, cared and provided for. I can appreciate you wanting to train this animal by helping to housebreak it but as I said in my other post, I think there are bigger problems here than just Pee. Jason
  • Worries about my boy and questions

    Behavioral Issues
    42
    0 Votes
    42 Posts
    17k Views
    tanzaT
    Your right, Terry, sometimes they do break the rules… or some breeders are willing to ship... I am just not one of them...