My vet says my puppy is too aggressive

[giira2121]

@JENGOSMonkey Yes I completely agree. She isn't familiar with the breed at all. When I first took him to the vet she was so surprised to see a basenji she even said that she thought they no longer existed. I think it is her energy and she is going to keep giving that energy. If it were a different breed she wouldn't be doing this. She said it herself. "Since this breed is known to be aggressive, I suggest we do the neutering sooner before his testosterone kicks in". My husband and I both agreed we wouldn't neuter him. I won't speak to the new vet about the experience and I will keep you posted. Thank you so much for the advice.

Thank you on the compliment. He's such a well behaved puppy along with all the cuteness.

[giira2121]

@zande Yes, I have already found a new vet. Since his last visit I listened to my instinct and started my search. I completely agree with the neutering advice. My husband and I from the beginning did our research on the neutering and agreed we would not neuter him. We have been very consistent with training him daily at home and taking him to his weekly training classes. I actually was recommended by a friend to a vet that actually allows you to come in if you suggest that you prefer it that way to make it safe for the vet and the puppy so going forward I will be taking him there. I hate giving him off and not knowing how they are handling him especially because they judge his breed. Any suggestions with the nipping? He's gotten wayyyyy better with me at least, with my husband he knows it's full blown crazy time and he gets too excited and the nipping starts. lol With me he nips and I say "no bite" he automatically stops and I praise him so he doesn't continue with me.

Btw thank you for the advice.

[giira2121]

@eeeefarm Yes, correct. Due to Covid I have never gone in with him to any of his visits which is frustrating. I have found a new vet that is willing to let me in to handle him so that everyone is safe. This way I can also learn how to handle him every vet appointment to make it easier for everyone. I am okay with the muzzle if I am present and can put it on him myself so he doesn't hurt anyone but I've never been present in a visit so it is a little discouraging not knowing exactly what's going on.

Thank you for your advice.

[eeeefarm]

@giira2121, re: puppy getting excited and nipping with your husband. When the nipping starts the play stops, instantly. Husband needs to turn away, ignore the pup, resume play only when no nipping is happening. If the pup persists he should be prevented from nipping, by restraining if necessary. Nipping or biting humans is not acceptable. When you accompany him to the vet you need to be comfortable holding and/or restraining him, controlling his head and his mouth so that the vet is safe. Unfortunately dogs learn to connect vet visits with discomfort. Who likes getting an injection or blood drawn? Of course the dog dislikes or fears it. Keeping things as calm and matter of fact as possible is essential, so having your pup used to you holding and controlling him is important. Do you routinely handle him all over, do his toenails, check inside his mouth, etc.?

[giira2121]

@eeeefarm yes, we do handle him all over. That was taught in our training class. We touch his mouth,ears, paws etc. We began with treats now we can touch him without having to reward. My husband puts his fingers in his mouth, he is now comfortable with us putting clothing on, leashes anything without reacting. He sits and waits for his food, he never jumps at it or runs to it until he hears his command. I have not cut his nails yet because we take him to the groomers I am not experienced with it and afraid to over-cut but i have showered him myself without an issue. I use the wipes for his paws sometimes I even wash his paws in the bathroom sink with no problem. When he nibbles at my husband I put him in his playpen until he relaxes. Then let him back out if it continues he goes back in.

[Zande]

@giira2121 Instinct is a great tool with Basenjis and it is very often absolutely right !

A Basenji will nip if he can get away with it or if he thinks it is play and that you (or in this case you husband) will respond. Your husband should just make it clear that biting means NO playtime and just walk away. The puppy will very soon learn. Biting is useless as an attention seeking ploy. It gets him nowhere. Husband should cease all play and leave the scene.

I don't go in with my vet although they have all said I could with the puppy. The carpark is full of patients and on-going carpark consultations so as I know the boys will be OK, I don't want to behave other than as everyone else.

Not to neuter is absolutely the right decision and the best one for the wee boy.

[tanza]

Sounds like the right thing to find a new Vet. Just wondering, how come to a groomer? We consider Basenjis as "wash and wear", groomers are not usually needed? You can learn to do their nails at home...if that is the reason.

[elbrant]

@giira2121 said in My vet says my puppy is too aggressive:

When he nibbles at my husband I put him in his playpen until he relaxes.

Kinda think this is going to backfire on you. Like a kid sent to his bedroom and the parent suddenly realizes that the kid isn't being punished because their bedroom has all of their toys in it. In this case, you are teaching your pup that you are jealous of his playtime with Dad. Dad has to be the one that tells the pup not to bite him when the pup is nipping at him. You teach the pup not to bite when he is biting you. But get rid of the "time out" playpen concept.

Better to firmly say, "no!", without raising your voice, and gently guiding his mouth away from the nibbled area. He will understand it better. It will take less time to teach, and it will be more effective.

[giira2121]

@tanza yes for the nails. The last time I had them shower him and cut the nails but I usually shower him at home.

[giira2121]

@elbrant will try this going forward. My husband does tell him not to bite and also puts him in the playpen.

[JENGOSMonkey]

@giira2121 said in My vet says my puppy is too aggressive:

@tanza yes for the nails. The last time I had them shower him and cut the nails but I usually shower him at home.

Yeah, washing a Basenji is a snap if you don't count having to use both hands to keep it in the sink or bath tub. Partly kidding. I've found having another person handy is the best solution, or using a martingale collar. I can usually use that and one hand to control the doggie and the other to scrub all the good smells they've worked oh so hard to find and rub in while on the trails.

I use to HATE doing nails. And I do mean HATED it. Not anymore. My wife bought a nail grinder similar to this one. My breeder taught me how she uses it, and I gotta tell ya... it's super simple! No hitting quicks, no screaming doggies, and no stress for me. Really encourage you to try it.

[Zande]

@giira2121 Hang on a moment - you usually shower him at home ???

Why on earth are you showering him at all ? A gentle brush with a hound glove or a soft-ish brush - he will love that but a shower !?!? You are washing out all the natural oils in his coat.

My pack didn't get 5 showers between them in 39 - 40 years ! and I had up to 8 Basenjis at a time for ages. Like a Conga-line each one would clean the dog in front in the kitchen when they got really dirty. Basenji groom themselves and make a far better job of it than we can.

@elbrant has the right of it. Whoever is infringed against does the punishing. If he bites you - you put him in his cage. If he bites your husband, he is the one to do it.

Cause and effect.I bite HIM, SHE punishes me ? Doesn't work for a Basenji.

[giira2121]

@jengosmonkey thank you I will definitely try it. i was scared to cut the nails too short but I am going to order that ASAP. The last shower at the groomers made him extremely itchy which is another reason why I was going to stop taking him.

[JENGOSMonkey]

@giira2121 I'm lucky. My breeder knows everything about hair! She set us up with some really good shampoo and conditioner...

Chris Christensen Peace & Kindness Shampoo
And
Chris Christensen Day to Day Moisturizing Canine Conditioner

I've not seen any itchiness or flaking...

[eeeefarm]

I'm with Zande on this one. I did wonder why you were taking a Basenji to a groomer. They keep themselves clean. If mine got one bath a year that was a lot!

[JENGOSMonkey]

@eeeefarm said in My vet says my puppy is too aggressive:

I'm with Zande on this one. I did wonder why you were taking a Basenji to a groomer. They keep themselves clean. If mine got one bath a year that was a lot!

We don't wash our doggies often at all, but we will from time to time. While Basenjis are cleaner than most doggies I've had experience with they still lack a double jointed neck that would allow them to clean the back of their head, neck and shoulders. The three places they always seem to use to soak up stanky coyote poop sent while rubbing in it on the trail. Sorry, not getting in the people bed like that...

[tanza]

@elbrant - Raise your voice when telling them to "no bite".... using a regular tone makes no impression on any pup, they need to learn (like was done by their Mom or littermates that bite is not acceptable. But I agree that putting him in the xpen is not the way to go.

[Dagodingo]

@giira2121 Mine are muzzled at the vets, unless I am holding them and comfortable that I can control them. My two males have been fine with that. My female needed to be muzzled as she was fearful and hated the vets.

There are really two separate issues.

1. I don't look for a vet based on how the dog reacts, I choose one that is knowledgeable and competent. Vets simply don't have the time to put the dog at ease and all my Basenjis did not want to be poked by needles and examined.

2. It is safer for everyone if the dog is muzzled for the short period of time at the vets. It is the same as the crate argument, the crate is a safe environment for the dog. Any dog that shows any aggression should be muzzled at the vet, it protects the staff and also the other dogs.

[eeeefarm]

@Dagodingo, I agree entirely. Vets don't get "danger pay" for working with difficult dogs. As I indicated, never a problem with any of mine, but had I doubted my ability to control them I absolutely would have agreed to a muzzle. Reminds me of what my farrier said about unruly horses. "I get paid to trim hooves. If I have to train your horse to behave, that costs extra!" That said, some vets definitely have a better "bedside manner" than others.

[DonC]

He is so cute!

First off, if a vet thinks neutering will change aggressive behavior you should look for a new vet. That is such a discredited myth. If she doesn't know that what else doesn't she know?

Sounds like he is a bit of a butt head. When we took our five puppies in for their first shots, the four girls were like champs. Then we had "Jungle King". OMG. Took three vet techs and the vet to give him a shot. When we left people in the waiting room wanted to know what had happened he was so loud. Totally ridiculous. Not as ridiculous as your vet's suggesting your pup be neutered, but close!

It was the same for toe nail trimming. What a wuss.

On to the fear reaction: We kept one of the girls. Very gentle and mellow. We decided as part of socialization to leave her at doggie day care for one day a week. The first day we dropped her off we took her to the enclosure and left her. When we came to pick her up they told us to wait in the parking area below because people coming back agitated the dogs. We heard shrieking from hell, looked at each other, and said: "That sounds like it might be Diki." After more shrieking the main woman came out carrying Diki and told us she had biten one of the handlers when she went to pick her up. Apparently she thought she was going to be carried to her death.

Long story short this was the only time she has been aggressive. A good lesson that even a sweet natured Basenji will bite if they feel threatened enough. Not to say that all dogs would have interpreted the situation as she did. Just to say that strange environments can be very scary to a puppy. IOW I wouldn't be too concerned about this at this age.

Nails can be an issue. Try a grinder (like a Dremel). Not sure it matters for the dog but at least you don't take too much off and have them bleed. FWIW we've always given baths when they start to smell funky. They hate it but it's the price they have to pay to sleep in the bedroom with someone who has an exceptionally good sense of smell (not me).