Basenji biting leash or snapping

[Christiane]

Hello,
Everytime I take my dog out and put her leash on, she bites it and it takes a few precious moments before I take her for a walk before rushing to work to calm her down and stop. She has also developed a tendency to try to bite my hand if I try to move her from a place. I was advised by some dog owners I know, to slap her briefly on the head each time. Doesn't seem right. She is very good most times.
Forgot to say that I am trying to keep her off my bed when I am go to sleep and have caught her snarling at me. Gave me a few frights. I don't have an indoor crate and if I close my bedroom door, she will scratch it, try to push it open, so much that I give in and open it. What am I doing wrong?
I really don't want her on my bed (she is allowed everywhere else) and I don't want her to snarl at me and try to bite my hand!:mad:

[JazzysMom]

I would suggest using a treat to get her to settle with the leash. At a time when you are NOT rushing to work, pull out the leash and make her sit.. for a treat. Tell her to "leave it" and move the leash closer and around her, etc. maybe set it on the floor, etc. Have her "sit", Hook the leash onto her collar and tell her "leave it" Give her a treat if she sits nicely. You get the idea.

As for the biting, I suggest NOT slapping her on the head. I would also suggest NOT taking advice from those pet owners any more. ;-)
Always let her know you are coming at her -- talk to her before you touch her if she is sleeping or laying down. Maybe even have a tiny treat every time you approach - then your approaches are seen as good things. If she growls when you pet her, firmly tell her "no" and continue to pet her, talking to her until she settles down. Tell her "good girl" or whatever, and maybe give a treat.

If she growls or snaps when you move her, again let her know you are coming first. Maybe even say, "It's time to get down" or whatever. Some will suggest bribing her to move by holding a treat out -- for example to get her off the bed/couch, tell her "down" or "off" and hold the treat near where you want her to go.
Others may suggest picking her up in a way that is safe for you, where her teeth cannot reach you, and plunk her down where you want her -- NICELY AND CALMLY of course. Then maybe reward once she's in the new place.

You may have to try a few methods before you find the one that works best for you and your dog as they are all different. But definitely, smacking a dog is NOT the way to go! IMO of course.

[sharronhurlbut]

How old is your b?
It sounds to me like this b needs either to redo a basenji obedience class or get into one.
This will help her learn to listen to you.
Also, please, never hit a basenji, or any dog. I can tell you didn't think this was a wonderful idea.
It can make a dog hand shy and set the dog up for all type of "issues"....
Hands should only give good things to dogs.
There are other ways to correct behaviors.
Many folks on this list will have advice to help you.

[tanza]

For sure there, hitting will lead to being hand shy and result more times then not in "bite" first ask questions later.... IMO

[wizard]

When I first acquired EL D he would get snarky in bed (it was especially difficult as he would be sleeping by my feet - I move around a lot in bed and would accidentally roll into him). It was a bit scarry. I yelled at him and "kicked" him out of bed - which really surprised him (the first time I tossed him out of the room he eventually crept back and got on the bed and snuggled up to my shoulder and put a paw out - "I'm sorry") - sometimes I would growl back at him. Eventually it worked out and he's settled down, but it did take some time.

I also leave his sleeping bag (I took him camping this summer and bought one for him) on the bed and he always goes into that and the snarkiness really cut way back. Now when he occasionally gets snarky - a, it starts out as a low growl and I can talk to him and calm him and b, he's stuck in the sleeping bag :p

[rnasto]

When Indi acts up like that I use the simple talking to my self technique. When I see him trying or if he does bite or snarl I immediately snap up and stand as straight and tall as possible. I look down at him and firmly say "NO" and then to encourage myself I say something like "no bitting me I am the boss".

Again if he tries to bite the leash or go somewhere that I dont want to go I stop, stand up really straight and say "NO" then get him back on track and as we are walking say "I am the boss we go where I want".

The talking to yourself is not necessary but it does help enforce to you that you are alpha. The standing up straight is just to get his attention, since it is a rigid position he realizes we are not playing any more. And the "NO" is for obvious reasons.

I do agree that maybe you need another obedience course but in the mean time thats what we do.

[Christiane]

Thank you so much for your advice, it helps a lot . I went to a vet yesterday who noticed a spot on her side and one growing at the back of her neck. Wants me to get it removed and analysed for cancer. Freaked me out totally!!!!One vet last month told me it was nothing and another one thinks I should hurry!!!Has this happenened to anyone else?

[Christiane]

In any case, will go to a different vet this week and make appointment to get them removed and take it from there but she does seem to get tired easily.