At the end of my rope!

Behavioral Issues

  • @simba's_mom:

    I told Tad about his problems when they started a couple years ago. But have not talked to him lately. I am going to send him and email right now and let him know the situation. I thank all of you for your input on this, and will keep you updated on simba and our situation. thanks!

    What did Tad say or recommend back then? Has he not touched base on how Simba was doing?


  • No he hasn't touched base on how simba is doing, he just reccommended working with him and taking him to obedience classes. He said give it time. we took him to obedience classes, i have tried working with him and he just keeps getting worse. We don't have the funds to higher a behaviorist, especially with a new baby. I am afraid one of these days he is going to really hurt someone. then who knows what will happen to him, i would hate to have to put him down for injuring someone.


  • Then he needs to go back to his breeder…. so glad to hear that you are contacting Tad

    Have you noticed anything else about his behavior? Have you been strip testing him for Fanconi?

  • Houston

    Sounds like you are doing what you can right now..just wanted to let you know I am thinking of you all..


  • Tad will help you… or take him back.... BUT you have to tell him you need serious help and yesterday.

    I will tell you, the last thing a breeder wants to do is read about the dog's issues online. BTDT.

    Hugs to Simba from Khani's dogs.


  • Just wanted to let everyone know that Tad is going to take simba.
    He's going to evaluate his behavior and find him the right home! I will be very sad to see him go but know its whats best for him! Thanks for all your help and i will keep you updated on simba!

  • Houston

    I am so glad that you spoke with Tad..I know you will miss Simba terribly, but in the long run this is the safest thing for you , your family and for Simba. My thoughts are with you..


  • Good to hear that there is another responsible breeder out there - glad you contacted Tad. Simba will find a good home. You've done the right thing.


  • I'm glad you contacted Tad. He will work out what's best for Simba. He's a great guy.


  • @tanza:

    Then he needs to go back to his breeder…. so glad to hear that you are contacting Tad

    Have you noticed anything else about his behavior? Have you been strip testing him for Fanconi?

    I'm glad that you have contacted the breeder and he is going to take him back. I'm sorry you have to give him up, I know it will be hard on you but it is the best choice for Simba.

    Pat I was going to ask the same thing look at Simba's pedigree on the database.


  • Well we are still in the process of trying to get simba back to tad. I don't have the time or money right now to make the 5 1/2 hour trip. He had a friend that would do it but i can't afford to pay her what she was asking. Does anyone have any suggestions? :confused:


  • Is it possible for you and Tad to meet half way somewhere?


  • Perhaps a BUR run can be arranged where several people do smaller segments of the trip to get Simba to Tad.

  • First Basenji's

    Why is everyone trying to give advice without being able to see the situation in full context? Has anyone ever gone to U-tube and watched the B's being filmed? Most of the howling, sneezing, destroying looks like fustration, it is NOT funny. A tired Basenji is a Happy one. Exercise: physical and mental are the only way for ANY dog to expend pent up energy. The B in particular. If not able to expend it physically, they make their own games, destroying, aggression, etc. I could not comment on the biting nor give you any other advice other than to have a professional evaluate him and his surroundings. If you already feel in your heart you can not fulfill his needs, then maybe he needs a home without children or a place where he can exert himself in a more constructive and non-stressful way. So sorry to hear about you situation. Hoping the best for all!


  • Buddys Pal, I like your advice on the excersize thing. I agree totally with that. I have seen a method that works very well for stoping dogs from nipping or biting but, based upon some previous comments by another about the limited training that I know, I would rather not share it on this forum. I have also seen a dog that eventually had to be destroyed because she wouldn't stop biting. I didn't know much about training back then and was of the opinion that she had to be destroyed many years before she was. Now that I know a little more I must say that it may have been possible to save her but I still have my doubts. And yes, she was allowed to continue until she eventually bit a little girl on the face badly enough that it required stitches.

    Did Simba make it back to Tad yet? I hope all works out well here for everyone, best wishes.


  • I've had a history here with Tucker. Most of you have read some of the issues regarding his biting (many, many bites). I ended up with a muzzle on Tucker and everything, at the moment, is fine. Tucker is used to the muzzle and wears it like a B wears a collar (he wears the italian basket muzzle, No. 5). No issues. He doesn't even try to rub it off anymore. The muzzle comes off when he eats and when he and I are alone - but stays on 24/7 otherwise. He does still exhibit the aggressive behavior and has 'attacked' a few handymen, but after that initial snarl and attempted chomp on the leg, he gives up and walks away knowing he can't do anything. These moments of illucidity are very short lived and as time passes, they are becoming less and less frequent. I've learned a lot from observing these occurrances and I honestly believe it's curbing his behavior, knowing that he has no weapons anymore. I've also learned and truly believe that Tucker's behavior revolves around the fact that he feels that virtually everyone is going to beat him if he does not do the beating first. I know Tucker's history involves abuse from some asshat somewhere in his puppyhood (otherwise he would still have the rest of his tail and it was pulled off, not cut, says the doctor). I know his history from age 6mos until I got him, but don't know what happened before that. And, before anyone asks, he's seen two behaviorists, been with two trainers (one is quite esteemed in my area), had a full medical panel, two regarding thyroid. The last behaviorist said I should put Tucker down. Hell bent and determined, I found a way to keep my beloved dog.

    Tucker was a rescue and had already been through 5 homes BEFORE I got him when he was 3.5 yrs old. The rescue I got him from (and I'll name no names) ignored me, so I didn't have any recourse to fall back on like a responsible breeder. I was on my own and I found a way to keep my dog alive, whether he SHOULD have been put down or not. I've even made plans for a sanctuary should the current implements not continue to work and am paying, preemptively, for the potential for future care for him. Otherwise, the money I've spent goes to care for another dog, which I am totally fine with.

    I'm one of those people who feels there HAS to be a way. My dog is like a child to me since I have none of my own to date. I will do everything I can for him until there is absolutely nothing left to do. So far, we've had 4 good years together and I anticipate many more. I need him as much as he needs me.


  • @TuckerVA:

    …I'm one of those people who feels there HAS to be a way...

    Kudos to you! I feel the same way. Bless you for making the supreme effort which a lot of us are incapable of or, at least, unwilling to. Someone has to in any case or, eventually, down the dog goes.

    I'm sure Tucker knows he's loved and part of a loving family, regardless of the muzzle.


  • I was just reading this thread tonight - what ever happened to Simba - did he make it back to Tad? Does anyone know?

Suggested Topics

  • Destructive behaviour

    Behavioral Issues
    5
    0 Votes
    5 Posts
    1k Views
    elbrantE
    I was a little pre-occupied earlier today, and Doodle displayed her displeasure at my constant delays... how? She got up on the sofa and did this little prancing-dancing thing. Like she was saying, "haha, look at me misbehaving". LOL oh yeah.... if that is her "breaking bad", I'm in trouble, she's got my heart!
  • Aggressive towards other dogs

    Behavioral Issues
    17
    0 Votes
    17 Posts
    2k Views
    J
    Sparkle Barkle came into heat in April. Logan went nuts! I was traveling so my wife was saddled with the mayhem. Mayhem doesn't begin to describe the situation. Sparkle should be coming in again within days, I hope, and unfortunately, he won't get any love this time either. He's gonna be a massive handful for at least a MONTH. I'm not traveling this time, so it's all on me. Cross your fingers for Tri females. I want three!
  • Puppy Aggressively Biting

    Behavioral Issues
    10
    0 Votes
    10 Posts
    1k Views
    ZandeZ
    Neutering is not going to help - training is. But a good trainer will train YOU to deal with the dog. If a trainer can get him to behave but you can't - there is little to be gained from paying out money. This is something you should never have allowed to happen, but since it has, I think you should deal with it and @JENGOSMonkey has given you a good idea to start you off. Withdrawing treats is a good idea, but also, get up and walk away. He could be biting to get attention and therefore you withdraw the attention at the first sign of a bite, with a firm NO.
  • Issues with overstimulation

    Behavioral Issues
    9
    0 Votes
    9 Posts
    1k Views
    eeeefarmE
    IMO it is a myth that Basenjis cannot have good manners on a walk. Yes, great if you can do off leash, but when circumstances dictate that a leash is necessary then walking calmly without a lot of drama and pulling should be achievable. Personally I do not like long lines or flex leashes. Or allowing dogs to eat whatever they find on the ground, which can in some cases earn you a trip to the vet or worse. Like most dogs, Basenjis are not overly discriminant about what they will ingest. A short leash and being observant can protect them from unwelcome outcomes. Mental exercise will also go a long way with any dog. But one should have a definite opinion about who is running the show, and it should not be the dog....they are quite willing to take up the position should you abdicate.
  • HELP! Never-ending barking at our guests at home

    Behavioral Issues
    2
    0 Votes
    2 Posts
    2k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    You need to teach 2 things.. a 100 percent solid down/stay and "leave it". If you have to use a collar and leash to keep him beside you and down, do it. Do not continue trying to get interaction. The more they totally ignore him, the less stressed he'll be. Once you can get him to stay at least 15 mins, get a male friend to come over. Put him in down stay and give the leave it command if he barks. Once he is QUIET, the person leaves. Keep repeating as often as you can get men to come over. Once he is quiet from the start, lengthen the time by a few minutes. ALWAYS tell him good boy and give a treat for being quiet. It would help a lot if you can try this out in a park too. If he's less reactive to men there, they can walk past and toss a treat (not look at or talk to). Once he seems to like seeing them coming because he associates with treats, they can say "GOOD BOY" as they pass. Then they can stop and toss the treat. Eventually they can stop, say good boy, toss the treat, speak to you and move on. Eventually he will link men to good. Throw in some women too, but concentrate on men. http://www.clickerlessons.com/index.htm
  • Wit's End… Please help.

    Behavioral Issues
    15
    0 Votes
    15 Posts
    5k Views
    PhocoenaGirlP
    @khanis: Um yeah.. not. You should NOT give her the freedom to display her dominance. There should be only ONE alpha in your house and that is YOU. All those dogs should get along. I am sorry if I was confusing in my original post as the above post obviously indicates that I was. I agree with the above post in that you should be the only one alpha in your house. You should have control over the dominance displays and any other behaviors of all members of your pack. However, between pack members displays also occur and you have the final say over what is tolerable and what is not. Your b should never be allowed to display dominance over you or other humans in the household however even the behavior where adults growl/bark etc at pups to correct them is a dominance behavior - just not dominant over you. I hope that clears up what I was saying. If not, please ask again.