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Desperately need your help!

Moved Behavioral Issues
  • Dear fellow Basenji owners,

    I am in desperate need of your help. I have an 8 year old male brindle Basenji that is a huge part of my world. My dog means everything to me- as is probably the case for most of you. My dog, Niles, has formed a very close bond with both me and another family member. Aside from that, Niles is characteristically aloof and shy around strangers. I have never had issues with Niles health-wise and his last few routine vet visits have shown him to be in good overall shape. However, much to my shock and extreme worry, Niles has become very, very unstable around everyone that isn't me or the other family member that he is well-bonded with and very loyal. For example, he will sit near someone eating something and beg (something he really never used to do) and then get in close proximity to them. When he is shooed away or told "no" firmly, he will completely snap and begin to full-on attack and cause minor bleeding (3-4 times now). Several months passed without incident. However, That all changed today in the worst way possible. The most severe and recent incident occurred today during our family Thanksgiving and completely ruined it. A relative was scratching his belly and he snapped again and caused enough damage to require stitches. I am beyond upset, concerned, shocked and at a loss for what to do. I can no longer have him anywhere near other people for both his safety and theirs. This behavior is not at all normal and is truly coming out of nowhere. The is ZERO provocation. There are a growing number of people who now want Niles to be put down and I feel that I might be out of options very soon if this keeps up. If anyone has any ideas or experience with this type of thing PLEASE let me know. I am very concerned that it might be a brain tumor or something of that nature. Thank you for any help you might be able to give.

  • I think your first move should be to discuss this with your vet and have some tests run. Thyroid problems can cause behavioural issues. There are others on this board who have more experience in this area, but do a search on "thyroid" to see what has been noted in the past.

    If it isn't a physical problem then you might want to consult a behaviourist. Dogs do change sometimes as they age, but also in response to incidents in their life. My boy became untrustworthy with strangers after we had visiting nurses coming and going frequently to deal with my husband's illness. I managed the situation by keeping him away from people he didn't know, particularly as they were leaving, because that was the danger zone for his aggression.

    Until you find some answers I would restrict his access to anyone you think might trigger a reaction.

  • Sudden behavior change at this age is almost always medical. I am glad you are now keeping him separated, but honestly you should have the first incident. After the first bite, most courts or judges would rule you knew he was a danger and he could not only have been seized, but you sued for significant damages. You are lucky no one is filing.

    Thyroid is the primary cause that I am aware of for sudden change. Yes, brain tumors are possible, but more likely thyroid. Some forms of epilepsy also can cause a dog to attack, but typically this is truly out of nowhere-- not like what you describe when a dog is told no about something. Pain can also do it.. sadly cancer had been found in similar situations of sudden growing aggression. The ENCOURAGING part is you had several months without problems... so again, look at the most simple... thyroid. Make sure you get a full panel, not just an in-house partial.

    In the meantime, understand you didn't cause this, and it may be fixable. If thyroid, it's inexpensive medication. But you won't know until you get tests runs. Hopefully those wanting him put down will feel better knowing you are acting to find out if there is a medical issue.

3/3

24 Nov 2017, 19:54

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  • Need help ASAP

    Behavioral Issues 13 Mar 2012, 16:29
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    @dmcarty: Since they are so young I would assume it is each trying to figure out where they fit in the scheme of things and you may be overreacting. I will however tell you that the one breed of dogs that my basenjis have never liked is ****zu. LOL ….. you know it is all about the hair!
  • Confidence Needed…

    Behavioral Issues 26 Dec 2008, 06:53
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    I did all the right things with Apache when I got him too…took him to outside malls, parks, the beach..had people of all shapes and sizes meet him and was going to handling class after handling class. Everything was going fine. The fourth show we were ever in we got excused from the ring because he became a bucking bronco on the table every time the judge came toward us. The judge tried 3 different times. I was so frazzled by his actions and couldn't get him under control, so we got excused. Later that day he stood fine on the table for some of the breeders. I have no idea what set him off, if it was the judge or the fact that I had had him to the vets the week before the show and they took a skin scrape while he was on the table. To be on the safe side, I never put him on the table at the vet's again...they had to examine him on the floor. Luckily they were more then willing to do that. I wasn't going to take any chances putting him back in the ring anytime soon, especially since I was so nervous. At handling classes and at home we did what you're doing. He would go up on the table and be fed treats. I would put him on the table at home and just treat him for being up there. We gradually had people in class and at home start going over him all the while treating him. On top of all that, I also had/have a problem with noise sensitivity. Some boys threw a huge firecracker right next to the dogs at handling class one day and since then Apache startles at sudden noises. Almost three months passed before I entered him in another show. This one was inside too, something we had never done. I held him out the first day because the noise really had him jumpy, so we just sat there all day getting him used to it. The second day I decided we were going in. I was the only class dog entered, so there would be no points..but that was fine...I needed to see if he would stand still for the judge. I was more nervous then I'd ever been and it will be a show I always remember for the simple fact that he was REALLY good on the table. Every once in a while he would still get a little fussy, either getting up onto or while on the table.....but would settle down quickly and let the judges go over him. Anyways, it took a while, but I finished him.:D So, hang in there!
  • Help!

    Behavioral Issues 30 May 2008, 18:31
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    Thanks guys! I will be checking those books out!
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    I would also pump up her exercise…make your walkies longer and more frequent. A tired b' is a happy b.
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    How is the crate training with Ripley going? It's been awhile since we've heard any progress.