@Porthos:
I am really having a hard time with my boy, Ramsey. I can't get him to stop chewing up clothes, begging for/stealing food, biting at our face, and running out the front door. Swatting him on the back-side does absolutely no good but he hates having his nose hit. I hate doing it because I know how sensitive a dogs nose is and I don't want to damage it in any way. PLEASE HELP!!!
Just curious how much research you did before getting Ramsey? I mean, Basenjis are notorious for eating laundry, esp. socks and underwear! :rolleyes:
At our house, the general rule is – if you don't want it chewed/eaten/destroyed/gutted, PUT IT AWAY. Bedroom and bathroom doors stay shut or..... you pay the consequences.
Food is not left low enough for ours to reach, and is always pushed away from the edges of the tables and/or counter if we have to leave it. YES< they have been taught the "Leave It" command, and they almost always do leave it.....almost always. I believe "better safe than sorry", and try to avoid giving them opportunities to fail {and piss me off :p }
Also, it's generally accepted wisdom that you not hit your Basenji {or any dog, really}. They respond best to positive reinforcement, or even firm but calm voices and being physically removed from a restricted area.
If he bit at my face, I would firmly, but not harshly, hold each side of his head and say "NO", followed by a "sit, stay" command until he settled down. THAT kind of behavior can really never be allowed, IMO, or you are asking for trouble later.
As for the front door, our B's always rush the door but never actually go out. Of course, they never are near an open door if there's not a person there to block them should they try. We have not done this but I understand it to be highly effective: Choose a spot some distance from the door and make your dog sit/stay while you open and close the door. He receives praise and a treat when he does sit/stay.
NEVER let your dog go out the door first -- he cannot go out the door without an expressed invitation from you, even when he is on leash. He must sit/stay or stand/stay until you invite him out the door.
Good luck! These dogs can drive you crazy, but also make you fall crazy in love so.... well worth the work!!:D