I so want another, but I dont want my heart broken again !

[Quercus]

Could you contact the same breeder? Just out of curiousity, did the breeder rehome the dog?

I don't know what kind of training methods you used, but it is possible when trying to train a dog to be "submissive" that instead, you train him to supress his natural warning system. So then it can look like the dogs just snaps for no reason. For example, if you reprimand or punish a dog for growling, the dog may learn not to growl, but when feeling threatened go straight to snapping/attacking. Again, I don't know if that was the case at all…he may have had health issues that caused erratic behavior...or maybe he had some sort of mental problem.

Either way, I am sorry for your loss, I can tell that you really loved and miss him.

[Matt H]

Hi Quercus,

I couldn't bring myself to contact the breeder, I'm a little shocked it's still painful so many years on.

He would still growl sometimes, move too near his bed when he was dozing and you would get the warning growl. I think that's fair enough, I'm the same at 7:00am

I never hit him with anything, nor used any aggressive training methods like shock collars - can't say I agree with them. Training was mostly reward based and exercise him enough to keep him from frustration. He had great times in the forest He was a terrible hunter, I'd see a rabbit before he did - then he would see it. Next thing I would see was the rabbit going in one direction at full speed and him going in completely the opposite direction at full speed

[tanza]

Just out of curiousity, did you ever have his hearing and vision checked? Basenjis are typically good hunters especially when they see the game… I would wonder if his eyesite was OK?

[Matt H]

Hi Tanza,

Er no I didn't, just thinking back to anything that may have happened to suggest a sensory impairment. Well, besides being a terrible hunter

Nothing springs to mind yet, but I will keep thinking about it

[dcmclcm4]

When I get a new rescue in and they are aggressive and/or have socialization issues, I have a thyroid test done and then an eye exam. I find it difficult to pick up on sight problems since dogs can adapt well.

I train my Bs to get used to touching while they are laying down and once they are used to that then start touching them while they are sleeping.

Jennifer

[sharronhurlbut]

I have had many b's over the years, this b of yours sounds like he might have had some physical issues.
We hope to hear of your finding a new b soon.

[vickilb]

so much to think about!!!!

I had the most docile male B, Congo. He was sooo laid back except, of course, when the couch needed a good de-stuffing! But, he NEVER got aggressive and was happy to be at the bottom of the pack.

I now have a 3 year old boy, Hunter, a BRAT rescue. He is the most precious b but he has guarding issues. He guards me against my husband and guards the bed and has gotten into a couple nasty tussles with my female b. But he knows I am the Queen of the Roost but it has taken a lot of work and patience.

My point is that all b's are different. It's possible that something was amiss with him or that he just wasn't a perfect fit for your family. Don't blame yourself, it was just one of those things. You are looking in the right place for ideas. This Forum is full of them!!!

Good luck and can't wait for you to post pics of your new b!!!

[Matt H]

Thanks again for your posts

I have been reading the forum quite a bit since yesterday, and it has helped a lot. I will investigate further because I would love another. TBH the main reason I haven't contacted the breeders I spoke with before is because I don't want to be viewed as just another inexperienced B owner that failed his dog. I really did put in an awful lot of effort, but maybe it was just one of those things.

I may post pics of my little boy but more excitingly, pics of a new B ! If the breeders will let me have one

[Maya]

Im sure people wont judge you on the problems with your last dog. It sounds like you really did persevere with him as much as you could. With 2 children in the house it certainly wasnt an ideal situtation.

When I was looking for a basenji I definately went on temperment. A few I saw actually biting their owners/handlers at shows (!!) so that put me off those particular lines. The one I ended up with has fitted perfectly into my home, she's a proper lapdog and loves everyone (including my young nephews and the neighbours young children!) but I can imagine how disheartening it is to have a dog be so unpredictable. Since reading this forum I have learned a lot about the various problems that can affect basenji's to the point of altering their temperments quite dramatically. I wouldnt be surprised if you boy did have a thyroid problem, or some other underlying issue, but it doesnt change the fact that you did the best you could for him with the information you had at the time

I would recommend going along to some shows and seeing which basenji's you like, have a chat to the owners, find out who's breeding and what litter you might want a pup from. I would advise getting on a waiting list ASAP if you find a breeder you like.

Welcome to the forum too by the way

[agilebasenji]

If you're worried about temperment, I would highly suggest a young adult and not a puppy. If the dog is 3 with a nice temperment, what you see is pretty much what you get.

[Matt H]

Thanks again for your replies, it's all being listened to

@agilebasenji:

If you're worried about temperment, I would highly suggest a young adult and not a puppy. If the dog is 3 with a nice temperment, what you see is pretty much what you get.

Probably a very sensible idea, I'll make contact with the rescue orgnasation here in the UK

Fingers, toes and limbs crossed !!!

[dmey]

I think , from what I have seen on this forum and from my personal experience that basenjis have a tendency to act that way sometimes. they tend to be very dominant and express it sometimes with a growl and teeth, especially towards other larger dogs. It tends to stay there'd though and rarely escalates My experience with that came at an early age three months and had to do with resource guarding a piece of rawhide. You can imagine my shock, my last dog was a great Dane. I was shocked, and offended and quite honestly, a little scared. My great Dane would never have done that at me. Never. But I think without knowing I handled it well. Not by punishing him or yelling at him, but by simply refusing to accept it and continue to address him until I took it away. Then I gave it back after a few sit and down commands and did it again and again. I have never had problems with that again ever. I think we tend to freak out because it's scary and a little offensive for " our babies " to suddenly do that, so we tend to see more into it then there really is. Again is has been my experience and I know some dogs have serious behavior issues or health issues that need professional help, but my experience was that as sson as I got over the shock of the actual behavior I realized it was not such an issue and in my case was easily solved…. So far, I hope he doesn't change he is only a year and a half now..

[Schouiffy]

@dmey:

I think , from what I have seen on this forum and from my personal experience that basenjis have a tendency to act that way sometimes. they tend to be very dominant and express it sometimes with a growl and teeth, especially towards other larger dogs. It tends to stay there'd though and rarely escalates My experience with that came at an early age three months and had to do with resource guarding a piece of rawhide. You can imagine my shock, my last dog was a great Dane. I was shocked, and offended and quite honestly, a little scared. My great Dane would never have done that at me. Never. But I think without knowing I handled it well. Not by punishing him or yelling at him, but by simply refusing to accept it and continue to address him until I took it away. Then I gave it back after a few sit and down commands and did it again and again. I have never had problems with that again ever. I think we tend to freak out because it's scary and a little offensive for " our babies " to suddenly do that, so we tend to see more into it then there really is. Again is has been my experience and I know some dogs have serious behavior issues or health issues that need professional help, but my experience was that as sson as I got over the shock of the actual behavior I realized it was not such an issue and in my case was easily solved…. So far, I hope he doesn't change he is only a year and a half now..

I like all of that

[deschroedter]

Years ago, when Cory came to us he was not but about 3 months old. As he matured, and became the alpha 4 legged member of the household, he thought he owned the food in the house and would snap occassionally. I do not tolerate biting dogs. So we had lessons everyday, I would sit on the floor with a bone, something he really loved and wanted badly. I would make him sit, give it to him, let him chew a minute of so, then would take it from him. This did not make him happy and he would growl and act like he would grab it back. I would tell him no, sit, and you are not alpha over me, I have always been head "bitch" here. We would do this every day, until I could take it away from him without a reaction. My son asked why I was doing this everyday. I had to explain, that I expected to be able to take anything out of a dog's mouth at any time, since, especially with Bs, you never knew what they would get into to, and could possibly hurt themselves. And as a show prospect, he had to allow other people access to his mouth. It took awhile, Cory was a stubborn boy, but we came to an agreement, and though he might warn off one of the other Bs, people could take anything from him. He might sulk afterwards, but he never did growl about it again. The breed has changed a lot since Cory was bred, the temperments have been improving, but they can still do unexpected things. good luck in finding the right match for your family.

[jules]

Hello Matt I feel I have to answer you I also live in the uk and I have experenced the same thing with my boy I tried everything I thought, even had him castrated, but he was still the same then another breeder suggested I get his thyroid checked at first the test came back normal but they did say the lab had said there was a more intensive test so I had that done -result low thyroid he is now on 1 tablet a day and what a difference he has gone back to be a very loving boy no more problems I noticed in dec he started bein a bit funny again retested and he just needed his dose up a little since then no problems at all just a beautiful boy

[Patty]

I don't think you should be put off just because of problems with your previous Basenji. He could, as others have said, have had a physical problem. Get your new Basenji from a reputable breeder and then make sure that you socialise him/her well and make sure that he/she encounters as many different environments as possible. Good socialisation is the key to many issues. You will, having had problems have been made more aware. There is much advice on this forum on dealing with various issues. If your breeder is conscientious and experienced he/she will be available at all times with good advice and will be able to guide you through any problemsd that may arise.

Much of the behaviour Jess mentions is due to the owners and not their Basenjis. There have been temperament issues in the past but mainly due to lack of intimate knowledge of the breed. It is rarely (apart from physical problems) due to the actual dog (although there have been instances). In the early days people had had little experience and treated them as 'just a dog' which Basenjis are most definitely not!

I'm sure Shelley will agree that her earlier experiences with a 'difficult' Basenji have helped no end in the way she has brought up her present two. I would also caution Shelley when she is told that dogs in the pedigree of her first Basenji were of doubtful temperaments. The first question I'd ask is whether the person who told her this was actually the breeder of the dogs mentioned.