Bad B


  • I had one other thought(Brain Fart) over here. Our Basenji will do just about anything when its over tired and trying to stay awake. When we recognize this we pick him up and we found that is a behavior is usually an indication he wants some lap time and has a desire to go to sleep on a nice warm chest and lap.

    Maybe the behavior you are seeing is an indication of that.

    Jason


  • @ComicDom1:

    I had one other thought(Brain Fart) over here. Our Basenji will do just about anything when its over tired and trying to stay awake. When we recognize this we pick him up and we found that is a behavior is usually an indication he wants some lap time and has a desire to go to sleep on a nice warm chest and lap.

    Maybe the behavior you are seeing is an indication of that.

    Jason

    I have found that too, Jason. Sometimes the naughty behavior indicates they are really sleepy, and a nap is needed.


  • @Quercus:

    I have found that too, Jason. Sometimes the naughty behavior indicates they are really sleepy, and a nap is needed.

    Yeah, they're a lot like 2 yr old humans == when nap time rolls around they always seem to start running from one naughty thing to another === and that's what my B pups did until they got old enough to just go crate themselves when a nap was needed. Can't recall the age though.
    Now at 2 and 4 they seldom chew anything other than what we give them.
    When they feel the need to chew they let us know by walking from us to the cookie cupboard – Jazz usually adds a quick tug on our pants leg.


  • @Quercus:

    Who did you get your girl from? The breeder might be able to help you with some pointers also.

    Well, Trinity came from a pet store & Denver is a South House - Echelon basenji. The 2 are as different as they are alike. The only real problems we ever had with Trinity concerned her health. She has never screamed, does very well in her crate, leaves things pretty much be & is highly intelligent. Bringing Denver home was a completely different story. We were introduced to the basenji scream - so much crate hate, he chews on everything & is the most stubborn little man. We are lucky in that Denver is a very laid back fella - he puts up with Trinity quite well & has the sweetest disposition. Trinity, on the other hand, is the naughty one - steals my dish towels, counter surfs for whatever's available, jumps & nips, instigates trouble then leaves Denver high & dry to take the blame! I just hope not too much of Trinity's naughtiness rubs off on Denver - he's already starting to steal things & run from me!


  • Rather than chase them when they steal things, offer a trade. They may still steal things in order to trade for a treat but at least you won't be chasing them everywhere.


  • @lvoss:

    Rather than chase them when they steal things, offer a trade. They may still steal things in order to trade for a treat but at least you won't be chasing them everywhere.

    +1 - I know my first instinct is to give chase (especially when they have something I really care about - like say my iPhone), but the b's are finally training me to offer a trade…oh and to put things away that I value. It works so much better doing a trade. :D:D


  • @renaultf1:

    +1 - I know my first instinct is to give chase (especially when they have something I really care about - like say my iPhone), but the b's are finally training me to offer a trade…oh and to put things away that I value. It works so much better doing a trade. :D:D

    your iPhone?? seriously….those are expensive...tell them to stick to paper towels!!!

    Hmm...maybe that is why we don't have anything 'nice'...the dogs would ruin it....


  • @RedVelvetLynx:

    Well, Trinity came from a pet store & Denver is a South House - Echelon basenji. The 2 are as different as they are alike. The only real problems we ever had with Trinity concerned her health. She has never screamed, does very well in her crate, leaves things pretty much be & is highly intelligent. Bringing Denver home was a completely different story. We were introduced to the basenji scream - so much crate hate, he chews on everything & is the must stubborn little man. We are lucky in that Denver is a very laid back fella - he puts up with Trinity quite well & has the sweetest disposition. Trinity, on the other hand, is the naughty one - steals my dish towels, counter surfs for whatever's available, jumps & nips, instigates trouble then leaves Denver high & dry to take the blame! I just hope not too much of Trinity's naughtiness rubs off on Denver - he's already starting to steal things & run from me!

    Okay, so I think I've got it…Trinity is still a pup also, but Denver is younger. Trinity is the one chewing on the baseboards? She is probably (warning...anthropomorphization alert!!) suffering some new sibling anxiety, and trying to get more of your attention by being extra naughty.

    Basenjis really are naughty by nature, because they are smart enough to devise ways to MAKE you pay attention to them. And if they aren't getting enough feedback by doing the right thing, they will try doing the wrong thing. So set her up so that she can't do the wrong thing..or chooses not to. Give her lots of exercise, lots of appropriate stuff to chew that she likes. Give her ways to keep her mind busy, and she will be much less naughty :)


  • Yep - trade. I'm very careful to keep everything from their reach - my husband is a different story. Trinity loves to grab his hats & run & one time, I came out of the bathroom to find her gnawing on a tube of Cortizone - cream on the rug, in her mouth, on her paws - I was freaking out! - but all was okay. I'm ususally guilty of throwing food in the opposite direction the dog is running with whatever he/she's stolen - my husband gets mad because he says I'm rewarding them for their behavior. So, I only do it if they've grabbed something that can harm them. Otherwise, I'm working on the "drop it" command with food. Anyway, Trinity is 10 mos. & Denver is almost 4 mos. Yes, I do believe there is some sibling rivalry going on in Trinity's world & yes, I am wholey guilty of anthropomorphization! Wrong or not, these 2 are my babies! :)


  • @Quercus:

    your iPhone?? seriously….those are expensive...tell them to stick to paper towels!!!

    Hmm...maybe that is why we don't have anything 'nice'...the dogs would ruin it....

    Ha, ha, ha…yes, Brando is obsessed with the iPhone...the minute I set it down, his nose is right on it...so you would think I would learn to set it down out of his reach. He'll get me trained eventually. ;)


  • @RedVelvetLynx:

    Yep - trade. I'm very careful to keep everything from their reach - my husband is a different story. Trinity loves to grab his hats & run & one time, I came out of the bathroom to find her gnawing on a tube of Cortizone - cream on the rug, in her mouth, on her paws - I was freaking out! - but all was okay. I'm ususally guilty of throwing food in the opposite direction the dog is running with whatever he/she's stolen - my husband gets mad because he says I'm rewarding them for their behavior. So, I only do it if they've grabbed something that can harm them. Otherwise, I'm working on the "drop it" command with food. Anyway, Trinity is 10 mos. & Denver is almost 4 mos. Yes, I do believe there is some sibling rivalry going on in Trinity's world & yes, I am wholey guilty of anthropomorphization! Wrong or not, these 2 are my babies! :)

    sounds like you are on the right track :) maybe you need to work on training the hubby j/k ;)


  • That is usually one of the biggest problems… someone in the house is NOT good about remember to pick up after themselves... or putting things out of reach of the "Basenji"...

Suggested Topics

  • Bad mojo?

    Behavioral Issues
    10
    0 Votes
    10 Posts
    4k Views
    YodelDogsY
    My Basenjis can't stand dogs who are "mouth breathers". I sometimes wonder if they think that because the dog sounds like it is gasping for it's last breath that they feel they should help finish it off.
  • Waking up Badly

    Behavioral Issues
    18
    0 Votes
    18 Posts
    5k Views
    tanzaT
    @Patty: Spaying is not usually the answer so don't expect miracles! Please don't neglerct to follow advice given on the site. Well put Patty. While I agree that she should be spayed, it is not the end to end problem solver… the suggestions regarding training are just as important and maybe even more so. You might even want to look into a behaviorist to come to your home and work with you and her.
  • Very bad behavior

    Behavioral Issues
    45
    0 Votes
    45 Posts
    16k Views
    Buddys PalB
    Hey Melissa, How did it go over the weekend? Did you get it to where the enclosed area can be his place while you are at work? I have had a B for 71/2 months now. They are unique on the one hand with some breed specifics, but a dog none the less. Any dog needs exercise and mental stimulation(esp B's! A tired Basenji is a Happy One!) and since they are social animals, they need companionship. It sounds like you are strapped financially like us all, but I can only offer you three alternatives: 1)doggy day care or a sitter, 2)another dog, 3)get him to a home where his needs will be met. It's not to be mean or belittle you, it is just that being fustrated is not healthy for you mentally or physically, nor your little boy.
  • B does NOT stand for Beaver!

    Behavioral Issues
    6
    0 Votes
    6 Posts
    2k Views
    snorky998S
    My mom had a wood chewer (Rottie pup). The breeder suggested making a cayenne pepper paste with a small amount of water and then apply it to the wood. It worked great and didn't stain the furniture. Just be sure to scrub your hands and nails after working with the paste.
  • What does your B do all day?

    Behavioral Issues
    16
    0 Votes
    16 Posts
    7k Views
    wizardW
    Just before I leave for work, EL D goes crazy until he gets his kong toy with treats then he just sleeps until I get home. Then a walk and then he search the yard for squirrels and rabbits, unless he's hungry – he'll prance around the house carrying his food dish or sometimes throwing it. Sometimes he'll watch TV in the evenings or just tear up his toys. Every now and then he'll do the Basenji500 - though mostly it's when he needs to go potty.
  • How Loud Is Your B

    Behavioral Issues
    6
    0 Votes
    6 Posts
    2k Views
    VanessaV
    @tanza: True… but don't let that put you in a false sense of security... nothing worse then "2" howling Basenjis!!!!! Ha! So True. That would be my worst nightmare :eek: