Skip to content

5 Month Old Puppy Fear Aggression

Behavioral Issues
  • Hello, we have a five-month old Basenji who is starting to exhibit fear aggression. We consistently introduced her to new things during the 8-12 week mark (we live in a city, she met several people, new smells, sights, sounds, etc.). However, quarantine happened at 12 weeks and then she fractured her ankle while playing, leading to a cast and a lot of vet visits.

    All of this to say, she has recently started exhibiting fear aggression within the past month. However, the vet told us today she has consistently displayed this behavior from day one, explaining she will often growl and lunge when they have to put a cone on her (they withheld this information, even when asked, which is a whole different topic). I have witnessed one incident in which I passed her off to a neighbor while holding her and she snarled/sneered and pulled back from the neighbor and was clearly terrified.

    I am incredibly disheartened by this and would love any feedback. She has always been overly rambunctious/mouthy/dominant in comparison to her littermates and her breeder did not seem concerned by this news, indicating she is still a puppy and would adjust over time.

    Lastly, we are starting Zoom video training sessions with a fear-based trainer this weekend but I would love any insight from anyone who has dealt with this. Thank you in advance.

  • @bforbasenji - I am surprised that her breeder would not be concerned? And really sad that the Vet didn't tell you about this before? I am not wondering if the vet has something to do with her actions/fear? Good that you are doing some training, is this trainer familiar with Basenjis?

  • I have never had a puppy basenji as mine was a year and a half by the time we got her. The one thing I can tell you from my experience is that if I tried to pass her to someone who is not in her "pack" she would have done exactly the same thing. An acquaintance or a neighbour would not make the cut. In my case, only family and my office staff (which she sees everyday) would be trusted and allowed to treat her in a familiar way. Any one else would have to wait for her to choose to allow them into her circle. That includes a vet who she would hate for trying to put a cone on her head. She is a gentle sweet girl but she has very clear boundaries about who she lets near her and who she will allow to restrict her.

  • @bforbasenji said in 5 Month Old Puppy Fear Aggression:

    Hello, we have a five-month old Basenji who is starting to exhibit fear aggression. We consistently introduced her to new things during the 8-12 week mark (we live in a city, she met several people, new smells, sights, sounds, etc.). However, quarantine happened at 12 weeks and then she fractured her ankle while playing, leading to a cast and a lot of vet visits.

    All of this to say, she has recently started exhibiting fear aggression within the past month. However, the vet told us today she has consistently displayed this behavior from day one, explaining she will often growl and lunge when they have to put a cone on her (they withheld this information, even when asked, which is a whole different topic).

    An early injury and resulting treatment could definitely result in mistrust of strangers. However, as noted by Ember, Basenjis often resent strangers being "too familiar", and many (most?) prefer to make initial approaches themselves rather than being subjected to unwanted attention. Tactful handling around strangers and being present yourself for any vet attention might go a long way to solving this problem.

  • Ordinarily I'd suggest that, when on walks or out and about, you take some extra treats, give them to people you meet who express an interest in your dog, and let them feed her a few. That way your dog begins to associate good things with strangers. The pandemic may make this impossible. If you can come up with some alternatives along these lines I suspect you'll have success.

    Puppies do go through fear periods and it's not a linear process. One day strangers may be fine and the next week scary. At five months this process is likely not completed.

  • You are taking the right steps. It sounds like you have been very diligent in training your puppy and caring for her especially with a broken foot and quarantine.

    If you specifically asked the Vet how she did and he didn't say anything until now that's really disappointing - I would look for a new Vet but at the very least I would stay with her through the visits.

    I agree with Ember's comment.

    Good luck with the fear trainer.

Suggested Topics

  • Hiperactive 16 month old B...

    Behavioral Issues
    7
    0 Votes
    7 Posts
    5k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    @Muro-Pads said in Hiperactive 16 month old B...: He's 16 months old. I did hire a personal trainer, and accomplish basic training, basenji style with no immediate come, short stay and no heel what's so ever 😜 Lol. But now that you mention it, I haven't been paying much attention to brain stimulation. I will try that. Any games in mind? He won't fetch...not that I expect him to... Well, you should be able to get an immediate come in an enclosed area. Even if you use a 40 ft line and reel him in, it does help. And heeling... they can do it but it's more fun not to. :) My basenjis all played fetch, btw. I start out with them inside, tossing the toy up in the air, playing tug with it... get REALLY revved up...toss off bed. They get it, bring back. Happy reward, more play. Then I work to the hall way. And I had to admit, once outside, it's 20/80 on getting it back more than a time or 2. HOWEVER, I took a lunge whip, tied a toy to it, and can get them to chase it in circles til their tongues hang out. As for mind/senses use. Teach scent games. :) My daughter used peanut butter on treats and went in room, down hall, places in the house, eventually outside. She was 8 working with a rottweiler who has far less ability than our basenji. :) Here's a page with some tips http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/pets/dog-behavior/fun-nose-games-for-your-dog Dog toys that they have to manipulate to get the treat help. I have to admit mine never liked them unless they were so noisy you needed ear plugs. Favorite ever was a freaking heavy wigler milk jug which I could throw a few treats in, toss outside and let the dog knock it all over the yard getting the toy out. But not really that mind stimulating once they figure it out. I keep looking at this one but not sure how well Cara would go for it: http://www.amazon.com/TRIXIE-Pet-Products-Board-Level/dp/B0054Q9TMA/ref=pd_bxgy_199_img_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=1226G4ZQN61BFCV4RSE9
  • 3 yr old starting to get aggressive

    Behavioral Issues
    21
    0 Votes
    21 Posts
    10k Views
    Chealsie508C
    I can wear Oakley out physically but if I don't work his mind he will still chase his tail! Definitely a point that mental stimulation is very important , and the exercise you do to stimulate the mid will help build trust as well so that's just a bonus!
  • Older Basenji aggressive towards 1.5 yo

    Behavioral Issues
    11
    0 Votes
    11 Posts
    3k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    LOL have your mom listen to Arwen on youtube. The noises, thank goodness, do not match the actions.
  • Old dog, old tricks

    Behavioral Issues
    4
    0 Votes
    4 Posts
    2k Views
    Patty MP
    Hi Jay, welcome! Did you have your dog posted on Craig's List? I'm grateful that you found our website, and that you are looking for solutions for Trey. Giving him away before addressing his behavior just pushes his issues onto someone else, who doesn't love him like your family does. If Trey hasn't been to the doctor, you may be able to find some low-cost vet options. When the economy gets tough and we all pinch pennies. It's easy to overlook checkups for our dogs, especially when the Dr says, "let's run some tests." :eek: That has $$$ all of it, you know? In Tampa, because the vet offices are slow, they are running great specials to keep busy. Maybe you (or your wife) can call around to find someone who will give Trey a good check up without costing an arm and a leg… I'm glad to hear that your daughter is in 4th grade (versus 4 years old), because she's at an age where she can respect Trey's boundaries. I don't think a basenji would simply chomp on someone without sometime of forwarning... unless he's sleeping, and wakes up grouchy? :confused: If that's the case, as long as everyone knows, I don't see her in imminent danger. Hopefully you or your wife can spend some time reading up on the quirks of a basenji. It's one thing to visit a basenji, and another to live with them. :) Like Anne said, the basenji breed is very smart and common training methods with other dogs don't necessarily work. Does Trey get along with your lab? Are they bonding? It is a lot of change for everyone in the house, including the dog.... mutual respect and love will go a long way. :) I hope it's a happy home for all, even if times are tough. I hope we can help you out!:)
  • Fear Aggression

    Behavioral Issues
    9
    0 Votes
    9 Posts
    4k Views
    kdubs518K
    Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I know I have a lot of work ahead of me, but she is definitely worth it. I'd do anything for my best friend! Oh! I think we're having some progress with her. My neighbor's granddaughter is staying the week. The first few days Pippin would bark at her anytime she got near the fence. I had the girl just sit at the fence and I would treat Pip every time she looked at the girl or walked near the fence. Eventually I had Pip eating treats out of her hand!!! (I told the girl not to try to give her treats or pet her unless I'm outside, of course. Just in case Pippin would get spooked.) But I'm super excited about this progress!
  • Just as I feared - Lenny attacked the puppy

    Behavioral Issues
    11
    0 Votes
    11 Posts
    3k Views
    nomrbddgsN
    Shadow will still put the Boxenji in her place. Shadow weighs about 22-24 lbs, Zina weighs about 60. But, then again Zina thinks she a Basenji-Yours will probably think it's a basenji also. Even though I have an older heeler-she associates herself with the Basenji's.