Help with furniture and shoe and etc. chewing

Basenji Training

  • Yes, it sounds like you are doing the right things - as for treats, my little tayda is a PICKY eater and she LOVES baby carrots! sounds weird. it IS weird. Also, little chopped up bits of hot dogs seem to hold her attention - at least for a while. But nothing like those carrots.

    From what you described her previous life to be, sounds like she is probably very confused and unsure of her new surroundings - how is she to know that your loving home is how it's SUPPOSED to be!? She will come around… hang in there! And share your journey with us please! There are lots of rescue folks on this forum and we all love B's!

    got some pictures????????


  • Thank you thank you thank you!! I will try to figure out how to put pictures on here… I am just looking into the e-pen!! I live in a really small town, so I am almost positive I won't be able to get it here, unless the "Cowboy Corner Feed Store" has them... ?? I'm going to go look before I order online. Thanks again!! The encouragement really makes a difference in this adventure!!!



  • K that one's kinda crappy…. here's another one...
    http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a399/nuthin_original/P1030598.jpg


  • Another thought you could try with the crying while crating…there is a product called Comfort Zone (D.A.P) - that output pheromones that might ease stress for your girl. Some people have great success with it. You can order it thru PetEdge...and there are coupons on the Comfort Zone website.


  • aww she looks sweet! good luck with her! Keep us updated… I'm sure you can find an expen online - I don't personally have one but I know there are threads here discussing online stores and prices...


  • Some of the treats that I have had the best luck with are left overs from our dinners…chicken, steak, etc...little bits of string cheese...bits of lunch meat. Liver, I usually just cook it, not freeze dried. The smellier, juicier treat, the better.

    She might just be so unused to treats that she isn't comfortable trying out new things yet. Just give it time :) Definitely try the xpen. You need to have a place that you can put her when she isn't being supervised so that she will not have the opportunity to chew things. You might contact the rescue person you mentioned, and see if anybody has an x-pen you can borrow, before you purchase one.


  • @kimyko:

    K that one's kinda crappy…. here's another one...
    http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a399/nuthin_original/P1030598.jpg

    she looks really sweet :)


  • She is doing well… but I am wondering if anyone has any info about NOT crating Basenjis at night... we would eventually like her to just sleep on her bed in our room (the crate is in the room....). Any input? Please keep in mind that she was crated for a LONG time, almost two years... THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!!! -joyful regards.


  • Is she distructive when she is loose at night? Or have you just not tired her sleeping on the bed yet?


  • I don't know if she's destructive at night or not… I mean, the second night we left her out for most of the night, and she eventually went to sleep, but I got up really early cuz I was nervous about it... So... I don't know!!! We've been "doggie proofing" the room, but she has gnawed on our couch and on blankets, and obviously we have our bed in our room :), so I guess that's the main thing she could get other than the fact that our air purifier is plugged in where she could get to the cord. We've been thinking about how to remedy that... I just need to get sleep or I get migraines, so I can't have a situation where I never get normal sleep, ya' know? It's so hard and sad to get her in the crate, though!!! :( Thanks for any input!!!


  • For a picky chewer, try a bully stick. I use the braided ones and they last a very long time. The single ones go down to fast and don't seem to satisfy the chewing instinct some dogs have. They're a little expensive at the pet store ($20.00 for 2 12" braided sticks at our local petsmart) but if you find your Starla likes them, you can order in bulk at a rescue society in CA, Walkin' The Bark…
    http://www.walkinthebark.com/
    Their product is wonderful. My older B with teeth problems even likes them. (As a matter of fact my vet said his gums and teeth look better this year than they have in the past 3 years–-it's the 1st product I have found in MANY years he will chew on) The single strand may be an option for you in case you just want to try them to see if Starla likes them.

    My Katie is a digger/scratcher. Ruined uncountable quilts, couche cushions, rugs, etc. We finally built her a sandbox in the back yard (a couple of 2 X 4's, bags of play sand, and some from our lake front to satisfy the scent factor) and she's happy to have a place of he own to dig to her hearts content. We also bury some of her favorite objects in the sand pit for her to 'discover'.

    Good luck!!


  • Try putting a little Peanut Butter on her toys or something else that is sticky that she likes. Sometimes it takes a little bit with the Nylabones and the Kong before they will like it. Some destuffed animals work really well for the most part. I get mine at the second hand store (no beanies) wash them, sometimes I'll rip out the stuffing and then give it to them to play with. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, but it's worth a try I'd say.


  • Another thing my breeder suggested for mine was to give her an uncooked frozen soup bone (though I let it thaw a little). Most grocers have these - sometimes sold as "pet bones" or "marrow bones". This keeps Gossy occupied alllllll day and helps keep her teeth clean too.
    I have to make sure she has someplace to hide it though when she takes a break (like the box with recycled papers) or else she will try to hide it in the couch or under the carpet or some other unsuitable place.


  • Thank you! I went right out and bought one (well, I have to drive to another town, but got right on it since this morning we're looking at 6" of snow and it's still falling hard - sideways (that's Wyoming for ya)… She really LOVES it!! They smell awful, though! Thanks for the tips - I LOVE the sandbox idea!!! I appreciate all of the info you all have shared!! Thanks!!


  • @kimyko:

    I don't know if she's destructive at night or not… I mean, the second night we left her out for most of the night, and she eventually went to sleep, but I got up really early cuz I was nervous about it... So... I don't know!!! We've been "doggie proofing" the room, but she has gnawed on our couch and on blankets, and obviously we have our bed in our room :), so I guess that's the main thing she could get other than the fact that our air purifier is plugged in where she could get to the cord. We've been thinking about how to remedy that... I just need to get sleep or I get migraines, so I can't have a situation where I never get normal sleep, ya' know? It's so hard and sad to get her in the crate, though!!! :( Thanks for any input!!!

    I have never had one of my dogs be destructful (?) while they were supposed to be sleeping in the bed. They usually jump up on the bed, get under the covers, and sleep thru the night. In fact, they usually want to sleep much longer than the humans are allowed to.

    Usually the destruction happens because either they are bored, or are frustrated that they can't get to what they want…when they are happy to be with you, and/or sleeping, none of the above apply :)

    I would definitely try it, and see how it goes.


  • Thank you!! I will try it, indeed! I really REALLY want her to be happy and well-adjusted, and it just seems that the crate is NOT working for her… I understand the advantages of having them "crate trained," but she's been crated for 2 years!! I think we'll just go for it. We even tried the pheromone spray in the crate last night and it seemed like it made it worse!!! I don't know... I don't think she can ever not think of it as traumatic... THANKS ALL!!!


  • Okay, ya know…I thought about it, and I *did have one instance where a dog got up early and ate the pockets (and maybe crotch, yuck!) out of a pair of jeans. It was Blondie (the wonder dog...shh, my favorite!) and it was my fault because I left the pair of jeans on the floor after the pockets had held dog treats...I don't know why she chose the crotch, and don't want to...TMI, huh? Also, Blondie IS an early riser..but she did this one time when she was less than a year old, and has never done anything like it again. And she is still my favorite (please don't tell the others!)


  • lol!!!!! Well, Starla is two, but might as well be two months for her lack of any and all experience! She has dragged a pair of my pants out of the laundry room and she loves to lick my husband's socks when he isn't here (ew, but at least he isn't a "stinky feet" type!!), but I've always caught her!! I think if we dog proof a lot we can pull it off… and I'm good at dogproofing because of my parents' aforementioned looney dog tall beagle/pit who STILL, at six years old, will do things like chew my Dad's electric razor to the point of non-recognition if he leaves it on the counter (she easily jumps onto their counters!!! yikes!!) :) Thanks again!!! :) :)


  • Did you try the bully stick or the marrow bone? Either way, glad your dog liked it. It sure can cut down on the destructive behavior in the house when you find something your dog likes to chew other than furniture and shoes (etc…)

Suggested Topics

  • Help Please!!

    Basenji Training
    20
    0 Votes
    20 Posts
    8k Views
    eeeefarmE
    If you really want to be sure your dog responds appropriately to invisible fence, it is essential to "proof" it properly. After you have thoroughly conditioned the animal to the fence, you need to use very high value distractions or lures while you are present (but not visible) to observe behavior. It's the only way to be reasonably sure your dog will not bolt through the fence, and then you still have the problem of other dogs or people possibly trespassing and causing a problem, since there is nothing to keep them out. In the country, invisible fence can work well, although there is still the chance that the dog will learn to run through it. My friend uses it at her farm, and one of her three dogs (not Basenjis) will go through the fence if the temptation is strong enough.
  • Nipping - help!

    Basenji Training
    11
    0 Votes
    11 Posts
    4k Views
    tanzaT
    As they say, "nothing in life is free"… works most everytime when they get it in their heads that they are "leader" and not you....
  • Help

    Basenji Training
    24
    0 Votes
    24 Posts
    9k Views
    wizardW
    All good suggestions so far for you to try. Here's my suggestions based on my experiences. 1. When mine first came to my home I would arrange a bit of vacation time so that the first day I was with them totally, then the next day I would disappear out the door for 15 minutes and then for longer times, then the third day I disappeared for an hour or more, etc., until I could go to work for half a day then eventually for my full regular work day. This took me about a week to train the dog to be home alone. 2. The second basenji that came into my life had been broken of his crate training by an ignorant owner so I never could get him back into it. Instead I blocked off a corner of the kitchen for him with a bed and toys for him to stay in for the first several days. Gradually I allowed him more wandering room until he was trustworthy enough to have access to the whole house. This took about a month. 3. Be sure to give your dog a variety of toys and especially the kind that you can put kibble or other food in (such as "Kong" toys). Basenjis need mental stimulation or they get bored (=destructive). My current basenji gets frozen raw marrow bones when I go to work and sometimes she'll still be nawing on it when I get home. I also save old bones and fill the hole with kibble and yogurt or pumpkin and then freeze and give this to her sometimes. 4. Someone mentioned rawhide but I've never had luck with that - it's not digestable and has caused problems with my dogs (one time a piece got stuck in the digestive tract and he screamed "bloody murder" with every movement). Never give your dog a treat unsupervised until you know she can handle it or doesn't have an allergic reaction to it. Once you know its safe then okay - but even then I never give the stick type treats to mine unless I'm home to supervise. Hope this helps.
  • Help with House Breaking

    Basenji Training
    10
    0 Votes
    10 Posts
    3k Views
    ZoeyZ
    Nice place you live in Nina! Carty I envy you wearing lots of sweaters and coats and pretty scarfs to keep warm. In Zoeys world today she had a blast! After waking up and eating she decided that while I worked she would get into the bathroom where my son left the cabinet open on his way out the door to school. Oh yeah….you guessed it! Toilet paper all over the living room and a pink and blue sponge added in for color! Ahhh a day in the life of a puppy...I hope we all make it through this stage. It has been raining buckets here today so I am thankful for the puppy pads. On a brighter note...she learned the command down or as my son says..."get low". I know she is a bad girl wanting to be good...lol
  • Leash Pulling…HELP!

    Basenji Training
    11
    0 Votes
    11 Posts
    7k Views
    JannekeJ
    I just stand still when Mirtillo pulls. He has a normal collar and leash. I wait untill he makes a turn and comes to me or makes eye contact. When he comes, he gets a treat. (just his normal kibble) When he makes eye contact I tell him he's a good boy. We are now at the point that when he comes he doesn't immediatly gets his treat, he first has to follow, sit, follow and then it's ok. On the flexi I mostly try to call him to come to me before he is at the end of the line, he gets a treat and he is 'free' again. On the normal leash Mirtillo also gets rewarded when he just looks at me and/or walks next to me. That way I'm way more interesting then the ground… When there is a dog/cat/bird and he pulls, I don't expect him to pay attention to me.. so I'm happy when he sits when I stand still and gives a quick glance at me. I also tried the method of just making a lot of turns, until the dog pays attention.. I didn't like it.. it was frustrating for me and for Mirtillo. I don't like to pull back.. I believe it is way too easy for the dog.. When I stand still, Mirtillo has to figure out how to get me walking again.. It's more of a positive game. When he pulls, I don't think... Ooooooohw.. here we go again........... But I think: ok, this is a great opportunity to get him to pay attention to me.. And I just stand still.. first he will ignore me, he will sniff somewhere else (there is no pulling anymore), then he will try to pull again to make me clear he wants to go there.. then he cries.. And then he thinks: I HATE YOU.. and he looks at me and comes to me with a face like: IS THIS OK??? And then I praise, give something yummie and we're both happy.
  • Its the constant chewing…...

    Basenji Training
    17
    0 Votes
    17 Posts
    7k Views
    firefoxkatanF
    Bindi gently chews on my fingers while we play, sleep, sit on the couch I figured it was like a baby sucking on their thumb should I stop her while she's still young as it might be a problem when she's older? or will she grow out of 'sucking my thumb'? I know some people say, don't let them 'bite' even if it's gentle because they might bite harder later in life? I have some toys and I try 'trade ya' and sometimes she just gets so frustrated that she can't chew on what ever she was trying to and 'umph's and rolls over lol I find her chewing on my bedding most of the time :/ and when she's in bed there's no toys to trade with ~Kat