Skip to content
Basenji Forums
  1. Home
  2. Behavioral Issues
  3. Biting bitch

Biting bitch

Behavioral Issues
  • wizardW

    So I have this friend who has a tri 9yr old female - very protective of her human caretaker. Unfortunately Maggie hates Gossy (she would attack or try to whenever she saw Gossy) and apparantly remembers that I am Gossy's caretaker. Maggie has bitten me three times now - the first time I think she was trying to get at Gossy and bit me by mistake but the other times I was visiting without Gossy and Maggie just walloped me when I came in the door.
    Last night was the worst, she really cut skin. I didn't see her facial expression (dark foyer) when I entered so not sure if she displayed aggressive signs. But after I came in and sat and talked awhile (and bandaged up the wound) then Maggie came over to be petted, like she knew she did wrong and was apologizing (at least I like to think of it that way).

    The odd part is that Maggie doesn't do this with all visitors, so it's not just basic resource guarding but there's some dislike in her behavior as well.

    I know there are techniques for redirecting a dog's behavior to teach them to be calm when someone comes to the door etc. And I seem to remember something about directed aggression but can't readily find the discussions. Can someone post a few ideas that have worked for you that we could try?

    0
  • ComicDom1C

    Wizard do you think Maggie's biting behavior is related to establishing dominance in her territory so whenever a new person or animal enters she bites them or attempts to bite them to establish this?

    As you said its not all people, so Maggie must have a sense of who she feels Dominant to and who she might not.

    If this is the case, then from what I understand you have to find a way to establish a higher status in Maggies eyes. One way, if you can stand it is to personally run this dog through some obedience training where she has to earn pets, treats, and rewards from you. In that way you will be establishing a bond with Maggie as well as a hierarchy in the relationship you have with her. Of course your friend her caretaker will also have to be on board with this.

    I found this article on the web and felt it might be useful:

    http://dogs.about.com/cs/disableddogs/a/aggression_heal.htm

    Jason

    Get your Basenji Fanconi DNA tested today!

    https://secure.offa.org/dnatesting/index.html

    0
  • Rita JeanR

    Wizard could last night have been because you say (dark foyer) the dog was just protecting its home?

    Rita Jean

    0
  • nobarkusN

    I'm guessing maybe she picked up Gossy's scent on you as soon as you walked in and that kicked in that threatening feeling. Then realized it was just you and no Gossy.

    Buddy, Paolo and Dan

    0
  • S

    Where did they get this girl from? If its a breeder, have the owners discussed this with them? I would have the owners put the dog on a leash when your coming over.
    When you walk by her on the leash drop a small bit of chicken..but ignore her.
    If she come to you for attention, if you an have her sit, or have the owners have her sit, then give her another bit of treat.
    But mostly ignore her, until she doesn't react to you at all.
    IMO, most b's who bite need someone who knows the breed to watch them and see what is triggering the bite a long term breeder or rescue person can help, if they can't afford a professional trainer to come in.

    Sharron Hurlbut

    BRAT, basenji rescue

    Evergreen basenji club

    Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue

    0
  • wizardW

    Thanks for all the comments – I think we will contact the breeder and in the meantime try the leash and treats. Maybe Maggie doesn't see as well either (I noticed her eyes didn't seem as clear as my Gossy's) -- my friend can mention it the next time she takes her to the vet.

    0
  • wizardW

    I forgot to mention that my friend did say she had obedience training when she was younger but it hasn't been reinforced much after the dog got older. As suggested maybe my friend will have to work on that again too.

    0
  • ComicDom1C

    I think suggesting getting the eyes checked at the next vet visit is a very smart move. From my reading, reinforcement of the obedience training should help find the solution although it is suggested that once Maggie learns where her place is, that training should be continued where the dog has to work for everything, attention, treats, and so forth, to help the dog remember their status.

    Jason

    Get your Basenji Fanconi DNA tested today!

    https://secure.offa.org/dnatesting/index.html

    0
  • tanzaT

    Also, if this bitch has taken a dislike to your bitch…. and/or the other way around, she would pick up Gossy's scent on you... they remember a long, long time... I have seen it happen before....

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

    0
  • BasenjimammaB

    They say that scent is the strongest of all senses, so Maggie smelling Gossy on you could definietly be it, and if she also has issues seeing that would probably only increase her notion for control..or nervousness.

    Petra and Pippin

    with Otis in my heart…

    0
  • QuercusQ

    Where did she bite you…were you talking to her, or reaching for her at the time?

    It could be so many reasons that it probably isn't productive to try to speculate *why she does it (though it is for sure interesting to speculate). Her owner definitely needs to get control of this issue...it probably would be best to have a behaviorist who practices positive reinforcement training help with this situation, because it would be very easy to make this behavior worse accidentally.

    Ivy doesn't like strangers in her home..at all...she doesn't even really like my mom very much. It doesn't matter if the person is familiar with basenjis or dogs or not..if you disrespect her personal space (in her mind) she will snap..but usually doesn't make contact. We haven't done much behavioral work trying to change this...mainly because we deal with it by putting her in her crate when people come over. It works for us....I have no doubt we could improve her feeling around strangers with some work.

    Andrea Walters

    Quercus Basenjis

    NW Ohio

    0
  • agilebasenjiA

    goodness, has nobody mentioned thyroid yet? Hmmmm, 9 year old basenji. Certainly have that looked at, especially if this is a new behavior. Additionally, get her eyes checked.

    I'd also look into a good postive trainer or behaviorist. This might be a good place to start:
    http://www.karenpryoracademy.com/find-a-trainer

    Also, suggest picking up a copy of Control Unleashed. This is a great program to help with impulse control. And start doing this:
    http://www.dogscouts.org/Protocol_for_relaxation.html
    This will help the dog learn that life goes on around her and she doesn't need to take action.

    0
  • wizardW

    According to my friend, Maggie has never done this to any other visitor. That's why we thought it was that she could smell/sense Gossy on me. But certainly it could be something medical that could progress further. Anyway my friend is open to ideas (and concerned about the behavior) and I'll copy the sections in Control Unleashed (I have a copy) for her so we'll see how things progress.

    0
  • AJs HumanA

    This might be relevant…

    My cat of Questionable Heritage is the most friendly animal anyone will ever meet. She has never met a stranger. There is a very rare visitor who does not wind up with a cat on his or her lap.
    My step-mom is wonderful with animals, pet-sits for everyone and can approach the meanest junk-yard dogs anyone has ever seen. She can even "pet" bees. They won't sting her.
    They met each other when Sumi was a kitten. Sumi took an instant dislike to my step-mom. To this day, when Mom comes to visit, Sumi hisses, whacks her on the leg and stalks out of the room. Sumi has never done this with anyone else in her life.

    My point is, sometimes, animals take a disliking to someone for no apparent reason and there is no convincing the animal otherwise. It is not necessarily a reflection on either the person or the animal.

    Perhaps this is the case here.

    AJ's Ride:

    0
  • nobarkusN

    @AJs:

    This might be relevant…

    My cat of Questionable Heritage is the most friendly animal anyone will ever meet. She has never met a stranger. There is a very rare visitor who does not wind up with a cat on his or her lap.
    My step-mom is wonderful with animals, pet-sits for everyone and can approach the meanest junk-yard dogs anyone has ever seen. She can even "pet" bees. They won't sting her.
    They met each other when Sumi was a kitten. Sumi took an instant dislike to my step-mom. To this day, when Mom comes to visit, Sumi hisses, whacks her on the leg and stalks out of the room. Sumi has never done this with anyone else in her life.

    My point is, sometimes, animals take a disliking to someone for no apparent reason and there is no convincing the animal otherwise. It is not necessarily a reflection on either the person or the animal.

    Perhaps this is the case here.

    Like Forest Gump says " A Basenji is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you gonna get".

    Buddy, Paolo and Dan

    0

Suggested Topics

  • yodabasenjiY

    biting..again

    Behavioral Issues
    69
    0 Votes
    69 Posts
    14k Views
    S
    @yodabasenji said in biting..again: Hey guys! Sorry about disappearing but I decided to quit the internet research, stop panicking and analyzing every aspect of my puppy. I focused on getting to know him better and creating a connection while applying the methods you suggested above. I needed to figure out how much exercise and other activity he needs, how to calm him down and he really needed to get used to touching and handling, so slooowly things got better. He still bites, but much much less (I don't need to walk in boots at home anymore!) and the biting is mostly connected to playing and sometimes him not getting what he wants but we're working on that. Thanks again for all the advice, it really helped. And as you said multiple times, it takes time, patience and consistency and it will get better. Glad to hear it. I'm happy to hear that you're working on relationship building. This makes things so much easier in general; teaching, living with, etc.
  • L

    Potty and Biting

    Behavioral Issues
    25
    0 Votes
    25 Posts
    4k Views
    ZandeZ
    There should be space for another half Basenji inside the coat. It should be pliable and you should be able to feel its space between your finger and thumb if you pinch it (lightly, of course !) I measure out the kibble in the morning for the days' ration and the only treats they get are taken from that ration. They think they are getting a treat, but actually it is coming from their daily amount so no extra calories at all !
  • B

    Biting

    Behavioral Issues
    26
    0 Votes
    26 Posts
    18k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    Saving money sometimes isn't the best route… a full thyroid panel gives massively more information. But a low dose won't hurt, and as Pat said, if it doesn't help, you wean off easily and done.
  • C

    Desperate for help with my biting basenji

    Behavioral Issues
    8
    0 Votes
    8 Posts
    10k Views
    M
    Hi - a few thoughts in case they are helpful, although ours doesn't bite. For biting: Figure out the reasons for biting first. if it is around toys/possessiveness - we gave him the toy on his bed and let him be there gnawing on his own. Then walked close by (not too close) and threw him something yummier in his view (eg a small piece of sausage that he can eat quickly) and walk away. Do this at random (though not too often) and have different people in your family do it. Soon she will associate your coming close to her and her favorite toy as something good. Progressively get closer (ie throw the sausage from closer), and then squat down, then touch on head briefly, then hand sausage to her, then move hand towards toy but don't touch it. By this time she will anticipate your coming to her when she has a toy as "yay, something more tasty coming my way". Evenutally, you should pick up the toy/bone hand her the sausage then hand back the toy/bone. Pretty soon she'll let you pick up her toy/bone without biting or thinking you are going to take it away. The key is to progress slowly in terms of distance etc, and mix up the treats (sausage, cheese, chicken). -if she does bite someone, then immediately isolate her in a basenji-proof room where she cant destroy things. And when letting her out, ask her to sit and be calm for a few seconds first so that she's not hysterical and she learns to watch and listen to you. There may be something else that one does for biting, so maybe others or a trainer would have good ideas. For pulling on walks, 2 things worked for us: A gentle leader - suggested by our trainer. This means she can't control her head (if they pull forward their head moves to the side like a horses halter) and so she won't be able to forge ahead. It will give your arm/shoulder immediate relief while you work on the rest. In the yard and on walks start rewarding with small treats every time she looks back at you/checks on you. At first she'll do it by chance, or if she is checking to see what you are doing, and sometimes it's a side glance. As soon as she does it - give big verbal praise and get her to come to you and give her a treat and lots of pets. She will begin to do this more often. initially treat every time she looks at you, and once she is good at it, then randomly. On walks you'll find her looking back and coming back to you more often, and as a corollary less pulling, which is a relief. We usually keep the leash in one hand and a handful of small, soft treats in the other - so you don't run out and have to keep going into your pocket to get treats. So, she'll come and nose your hand and you can pet some times, treat sometimes, etc. The one thing is to progress slowly, praise the right behavior and don't get impatient (count to 10, stop training or go do something else for a bit till you feel ready to try again). When doing the praise really have an excited voice and go overboard even! Our basenji really loves being praised. It takes more time perhaps than other methods, but it's long lasting because they see these behaviors as rewarding so you don't have to get into a battle of wills. And once they get the idea, they'll improve rapidly, even over one walk. Good luck!
  • ?

    Biting Necks While Playing

    Behavioral Issues
    10
    0 Votes
    10 Posts
    8k Views
    2baroos2
    female til she squeeks and then lets go of her. Sometimes he uses this method to drag her out of the room. She has never done this to him.
  • ErinElisabethE

    Biting his Tail?

    Behavioral Issues
    9
    0 Votes
    9 Posts
    11k Views
    ErinElisabethE
    @eeeefarm: Sounds like transferred aggression to me. He knows not to bite the person, but is annoyed enough that he wants to take it out on something, and his tail is handy. :) I wouldn't worry about it if it doesn't get worse. I also wouldn't provoke it. Avoid annoying him if you can and the behaviour may extinguish on its own. Okay! Thanks for all your help!