What The Heck Is Going On!!!

Behavioral Issues
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  • BarklessdogB

    sounds like he's going through a naughty period. You can always control a basenji with food.

    Maybe some positive training that re-enforces that you are the boss, along with some time outs.

    No means nothing to our dogs, but treats mean everything.

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  • lvossL

    This time of year with the Holidays and weather changes my dogs usually have their activity schedule interupted. This interuption usually results in their acting out to get attention. I have found the best way to combat their cabin fever is to find games for them to play that will not drive me nuts. One of the easiest changes for me to make is to start giving them their breakfast in a Busy Buddy. The love their Busy Buddies and though it usually doesn't take them that long to get all their breakfast out they really enjoy pushing them around and playing with them afterwards. I have also tried various games with them in the house like "Find me" and hide treats for them to find. I believe in one of her books Jean Donaldson recommends some games to play indoors with your dog to combat boredom.

    Most of the time when my dogs act up in the way you describe it is out of boredom. The challenge is then finding activities to burn off that excess energy.

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  • VanessaV

    With him being bored, could it also be that since he doesn't have a companion he resorts to being destructive?
    Will another minimize this behavior and save me?

    Basenji Forums Staff

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  • tanzaT

    @Vanessa626:

    With him being bored, could it also be that since he doesn't have a companion he resorts to being destructive?
    Will another minimize this behavior and save me?

    In a word….NO... you will have two to drive you crazy... While they might keep each other company and wear each other out sometimes... many times they join forces to drive you crazy together...

    My OJ is over 16, to this day he still will "steal" and run away with things to get attention...:D

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

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  • torchsongT

    How old is your dog?

    Between the first year or two most dogs go through "puberty" where pretty much every thing you taught them flies out the window and you have to re-assert yourself as the dominant one. And they'll test you on it, big time. We're kind of going through that with She-Ra right now…she does a lot of what you talk about, mainly to get a reaction out of us...which is the one thing you shouldn't do, hard as that sounds.

    It may just be boredom as has been said. It's very tough sometimes to make time for playtime.

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  • VanessaV

    Chance will be turning 1 next week. Gosh puberty!!!! ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Basenji Forums Staff

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  • QuercusQ

    One word…hormones ;) Well, maybe to some extent. I agree with Lisa...that it sounds like he is trying extra hard to get your attention; and her suggestions were great. I think this is PARTICULARLY a boy thing. Querk will do this, and always has, to get attention. He also plays rough when he gets wound up....and nothing will wind a dog up better than swatting and batting at them in a vain attempt to get them to stop.

    I think I would have him wear a house line at this particular time of morning when the behavior is worst. Then if he does get something you can quickly stop him from having a glory run. I would also work on doing some behavioral control exercises with him while you get ready...so he feels like he is getting some attention and reward while you still get to accomplish your goals. Like sit/down/sit/down treat (doggie pushups) or sit stays, etc.

    As far as a companion to help with behavior...well...uh....maybe. In this instance he would probably be busy driving the other dog crazy instead of you...but that means that you have to go rescue the other dog, or keep them from destroying the other room in play, or whatever. Querk LOVES to drive Ivy MAD by biting her butt, then running when he is in a mood like that.

    Andrea Walters

    Quercus Basenjis

    NW Ohio

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  • lvossL

    I agree that it is more of an issue with my boy than with my girls. Nicky is the one that really gets into a shredding mood when he is bored. He will also harass the girls though that usually just ends up with him sulking and shredding more stuff if they are not willing to play. It is not too bad with Sophie in the house right now because she is game to play almost always but she is also game to learn all of Nicky's ways of getting into trouble.

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  • tanzaT

    @Vanessa626:

    Chance will be turning 1 next week. Gosh puberty!!!! ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    And it lasts a "lifetime" with the boys…. like I said, OJ at 16+ will still steal and "try" to shred... his teeth are not what they used to be... :D

    And it leds to the saying:
    The Girls have an agenda, The Boys don't have a clue!!!!

    And the goes for when enough is enough....

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

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  • B

    I would agree that the females seem more serious some times and less teasing for play.

    IMO I don't think you can say all males are the same and clueless, I just don't see it with ours.

    Willy is a clown and Jasper is as serious as they come. Max is the brightest dog I've ever had, very clever and hardly clueless.

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