Rita Jean, Can you give me a basic break down on how the sitmeanssit collar works? I want to control biting and running away.
I am not that interested in using it for any kind of performance training. I am adverse to negative reinforcement and corporal punishment as well. Pharaoh is much like most aggressive Basenjis i have read about. He is very dominant.
He has three modes of biting
1. The play mode which is no real problem, but it does hurt sometimes.
2. The attention getter. If someone ignores him they will receive a painful ankle nip. He can get quit excited about this.
3. The running slash. When playing ball or chase he will take a running slashing bite on my thigh. This is the most dangerous.
He will often bite my 7 year old daughter when they are playing. My daughters reaction is to cry softly. She never remembers to scream sharply and move away from him.
Thylacine, was your puppy a singleton?
If by a one puppy in litter no Ithink there wer 7. We made the mistake of getting him at 7 weeks
Oh, so he never learned about bite behavior.
I would suggest you put him with a group of older b's…they will "teach" him what is acceptable and what isn't. Is that something you can do? Maybe at the breeders home?
or
Have you tried putting bitter apple on your daughter when they are playing?
I posted the question about the collar because I HAVE tried every thing else. I have a 7 month old Basenji who is a wonderful dog but who play nips very hard. I am looking to control that issue. I am not trying to break his spirit or turn him into a zombie.
I have posted about this issue several times on this forum, and received snide remarks and non answers. This is a last ditch effort to stop my dog from biting people. We have bought dozens of books and tried every method recommended on this forum to no avail.
So know we are down to the collar. That is all that is left. If you are against collars don't use them. I am looking for information on how to use the collar to safely and effectively stop my dog from biting. If you have that information please share it. If not I will cheerfully ignore you. It is none of your business…..
EXACTLY!!! Thank you 
@Rita:
Can you tell me what kind of collar that you got? You shall not get snide remarks from me. I would much rather you do this collar than give up your dog.
There is a correct way to use a collar. I am not sure how we go about asking how I can get your email or give you mine. I think it would be better to talk about this that away.
Do you know who we have to ask?
Rita Jean
I'd tell you which one I bought but then i'm sure that would spawn more negative comments..
I asked around alot and read about the different collars and chose one based on my needs. I ended up spending more than $100 of course though lol.
ok, let me ask again…HAVE you put him with a pack of b's and let them help him learn...
I have seen this done. Your b is young and can still get some help from b's who speak his dog laungage.
The breeder is a couple of hundred miles away. I will certainly try to do that if it will help. How long would I have to leave him?
He is getting some better. I cry out sharply when he hurts and tell him NO BITING! Which he understands. The problem is getting everyone to do it consistently.
He is the smartest dog that I have ever even heard of. I am sure it will not take much work with the collar to stop him. He has been clicker trained since 7 weeks and is very proud of his tricks. However, I have gradually become convinced that there will have to be some degree of negative reinforcement with Pharaoh.
Otherwise he doesn't have a great deal of behavior issues.
It is interesting that people have no problems with other dogs "teaching him Lessons" douptless with sharp teeth, but go into fits at the mention of a mild electric shock when the dog is biting a child. Weird.. When people get there minds set about hot button issues they quickly move to paint any one on the other side as evil.
When a dog is in a pack situation they learn how to play and 99% of the time it is an issue of a warning, not biting… using a shock collar doesn't give the same lessons. All it does, IMO is teach them when wearing the collar I get zapped...
And you really said it yourself... it is getting everyone in the house to do it... teaching him... if everyone in the house would be consistent then he would learn... and your right, leaving the pack at 7 weeks is way to young.. they miss all those lessons pups learn from each other in a pack/group situation.
I give up…you are right...what you all do with your dogs is none of my business....
Why am I putting so much effort and time into trying to help people who don't want it????
Good luck, keep in touch....
@Rita:
If you do not know which collar is "best" how do you know they are "all" bad? I take that as name calling when you say punishment. I do not punish my puppy that is just real wrong and sick of you. You know nothing about me or what I do and have to right.
Rita Jean
The terms "punishment" and "reinforcement" are commonly used terms in operant conditioning, there are both positive and negative forms of both. Punishment is when you do something to try to decrease a behavior, reinforcement is when you do something to increase a behavior. There are "positive" and "negative" forms of both, and they do not mean "good" and "bad" but rather you that you are "adding" something or "taking" something away. An e-collar would be an example of "positive punishment". You are adding a shock, pulse, or sound typically to decrease an un-wanted behavior.
Since I know Quercus is familiar with that terminology, I would imagine that is why she said it, but I won't put words in her mouth.
The terms "punishment" and "reinforcement" are commonly used terms in operant conditioning, there are both positive and negative forms of both. Punishment is when you do something to try to decrease a behavior, reinforcement is when you do something to increase a behavior. There are "positive" and "negative" forms of both, and they do not mean "good" and "bad" but rather you that you are "adding" something or "taking" something away. An e-collar would be an example of "positive punishment". You are adding a shock, pulse, or sound typically to decrease an un-wanted behavior.
Since I know Quercus is familiar with that terminology, I would imagine that is why she said it, but I won't put words in her mouth.
Exactly! You rock Thanks for taking the time to explain…I don't have the energy
Thylacine wrote…
It is interesting that people have no problems with other dogs "teaching him Lessons" douptless with sharp teeth, but go into fits at the mention of a mild electric shock when the dog is biting a child. Weird.. When people get there minds set about hot button issues they quickly move to paint any one on the other side as evil.
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Dogs will teach him by giving him body language before they "repremand" him.
They will give him physical warning as well as visual clues before they "repremand" him.
He will know just exactly when he has stepped over the line and it will be clear in the dogs mind.
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My issue with shock collars is that often the owner are NOT consistant and the dog ends up more confused than corrected.
But he is your dog. I am just trying to give you another way to go.
How about we all end this and just go on with a HAPPY 4th Of JULY. After all different people and different ideals is what makes our world go around.
Rita Jean
Amen to that. I certainly will do nothing but enjoy my weekend and I wish the same for all of my fellow very passionate B lovers.
Hi. I have the same issues with my 1 yr old female. She is either in sleep mode or play mode - she always wants to play. And she is and always has been a nipper. She has ripped a hole in one of my sweaters - her favorite way to get my attention is to jump & nip at my back, as high as my shoulder blade (but I am only 5 ft), thus ripping a hole in my sweater. She will cruise by during her B500s & jump & nip at my belly or whatever other body part she can get at. She loves to mouth my hands & arms when I try to pet her while she only wants to play. Is your B aggressive? After puppy kindergarten, we weren't very good about socializing our female & I used to worry about how she would act around & react towards people & other dogs - she has never made me more proud in her life - she loves everybody & doesn't nip at all. When she really pushes my buttons with the back nipping, I quickly grab her & make her sit & hold her there for a minute. Most times she gets it, sometimes I interrupt her nipping interest with treats. You say your B is good with tricks? Try to distract him - if he wants attention, give him the opportunity to show off & reward him for it. Sometimes I ignore her & eventually she'll stop, but I also have 2 pretty little holes in my carpet. :rolleyes:
@sharronhurlbut:
Dogs will teach him by giving him body language before they "repremand" him.
They will give him physical warning as well as visual clues before they "repremand" him.
He will know just exactly when he has stepped over the line and it will be clear in the dogs mind.
This is quite interesting to see, if you get the chance. I got my female from a pet store, so she was probably never taught when enough is enough. I got Denver (our boy) from a B breeder & took Trinity (our girl) to run with the babies & the Dam's daughter from a different breeding. Egypt (the other dog) womped Trinity's butt - not only was she older, but she was bigger & more solidly built.
But I understand how hard it can be to contain a male, especially if he is solid. Denver is 6 months & STRONG, esp. compared to my runt female - he is already surpassing her in size!
I hate the nipping too, but I guess I've just gotten used to it & now-a-days, the nipping usually turns into a full blown B500 - if she thinks I'm upset & I start to use the same tones, verbage & body language that I use when I really am upset, she turns it into her catch-me-if-you-can game.
I think some Bs are just nippers. Both of my Bs love my 3 yr old neice but can't stand my 3 yr old nephew - why? Because he acts a mess around them - he jumps up & down while screaming their names & runs & cringes out of fear, while my niece runs in play with no abandon. Does your daughter fear your B, even a little? I read a lot that dogs consider youngsters to be lower than them in the pack order or something like that. Have your daughter take on alpha tasks, such as feeding the dogs or maybe even doing some commands with treats.
Although I've only owned 2 dogs my whole life, I just wanted to throw my thoughts your way. Good luck with whatever you try - just don't give up yet - 7 months is still a baby!
See the problem is I didnt get my dog when he was a puppy, i got him from a shelter when he was 1 and a half years old. Thus, his bad behaviors were already there which makes it alot harder to correct. I wish I had him as a puppy because it would be alot easier…and out of curiousity what is "IMO" ?
IMO = In my opinion
I have done rescue for 100 yrs…or it seems like.
I have to tell you puppies are such work...even more than rescue dogs.
Rescue dogs can/do have issues, but mostly, if the owner is open to getting the dog into a basic gentle obedience class, it can work wonders to help the basenji learn to "talk" to the owners...it does help human and dog communication.
Some dogs need more work than others..and when you start on a training program..everyone has to be on board. B's are smart enough to ignore something they don't want to listen to...and often they will get WORSE when your on the right track, because they want to test you to see if its going to stick.
I have done a lot of classes, re dogs behavior and often its pretty hard to miss clue your given. We use tapes so we can watch and rewatch. BUT if your having issues, a pack of b's who are in a settled home, ie a breeder or a good dog park where the dogs are social, well, honestly, it can work wonders...again..just my opinion.
There are a lot of extreme opinions out there on this issue. I am a public adjuster by trade, I fight insurance companies for a living, this gives me a sensitive eye for bias. I read the screeds against shock collars and I tend to agree with the sentiment underlying them. However, I believe that the people who authored these papers were against them from the beginning root, tree and branch. Opinions like this are nearly worthless.
I was severely beaten as a child and it negatively impacted my life. I have a seven year old daughter who has never felt my hand. When we walk our dog I see people constantly hitting their dogs to correct them. I don't.. NOT EVER. If you are against shock collars on principle then I understand your bias.
I would love to have the luxury of the gentle art conversation to talk Pharaoh out of biting the hell out of my daughter, my wife, my guests, or the little kid at the park who ignored him. This guy can cut a squirrel in half on the run. He needs to know his limits now.
I will cheerfully employ any positive reinforcements suggested to restrain him from biting people. I intend to make this course of therapy short but effective. I do not intend to employ this technique on misdemeanors. Only biting.
However I do need a means of stopping him in the act…NOW. My research has indicted that the shortest path to stopping this behavior is the collar.
If you are reading this and are serious about stopping people from using shock collars then I would suggest you take some of your time to write a definitive guide to raising a Basenji pup that won't bite people. I searched in vain for any real solutions to this issue. This is by far the most incredible dog I have ever known. Every forum on this page that starts off about biting ends in recriminations and sniping. Good for some peoples egos.. Does nothing to stop the biting.
