Skip to content

Aggression

Behavioral Issues
  • We have 2 Basenjis 4 years old. Our neutered male, Buddy is becoming aggressive. He has always been somewhat food protective but now it is turning into any time he doesn't get his way he gets extremely angry and bites. He has had obedience training and in many ways is well trained for a Basenji but this one area concerns us deeply. He and the female, Riley are a typical Basenji couple, they don't really know who is alpha. They play but have squabbles that never seem to get too serious.

    We live in Minneapolis and when weather permits we spend 1-2 hours at the dog park. Buddy plays well with other dogs. However it has been so cold we can't spend much time out doors. Could that be a factor in hio behavior and if so, how can we moderate it?

    Mike

  • There are many threads about resourse guarding, which IMO is what is going on, it has now worked it way from warning in guarding his food to full blown biting in other situations.. Please go back through the many threads for ideas on how to work through this problem, but warning, it is not going to change over night… And IMO, the weather and not being outdoors is not the problem.

  • I had a food aggressive girl rescue that was in love with my basenji boy. I just avoided chewing bones or treats or feeding unless one was in a kennel or seperate space to monitor. And, dont forget to let your boy know you are the alpha and that behavior is unacceptable.

    My girl could never completely get rid of the food aggression. I just found it safer to avoid a potential problem all together.

  • Hypothyroid seems to crop up in basenjis, often the first symptom is the onset of aggression. There are many other symptoms, coarse coat, weight changes, but aggressions seems to be very common. If behavior modification doesn't work, you might have a full thyroid panel done, just a simple test isn't always accurate.

    Good luck!

    Anne in Tampa

  • @MacPack:

    Hypothyroid seems to crop up in basenjis, often the first symptom is the onset of aggression. There are many other symptoms, coarse coat, weight changes, but aggressions seems to be very common. If behavior modification doesn't work, you might have a full thyroid panel done, just a simple test isn't always accurate.

    Good luck!

    Anne in Tampa

    Thyroid panels (the full panel) really should be done yearly with your B's regular check up… or at the very least every two years unless a problem crops up before that.... Always good to have a base line

  • Please let us know what the vet says re the thyroid test.

  • And sometimes you have to "push" and/or demand for the complete test that is not usually done by the labs that your Vet might use…

Suggested Topics

  • Aggressive towards men

    Behavioral Issues
    3
    0 Votes
    3 Posts
    3k Views
    eeeefarmE
    That this arose at home but not on the street sounds like property protectiveness, and should dissipate once your dog figures out he lives there too, but you need to work on it if you want to avoid issues with other visitors. Can you remove yourself from the equation and allow the roommate to just "be" there, ignoring the dog until things settle down? Then, treats and food can reward more settled behaviour. IMO it would be a mistake to try to force the relationship in any way. A calm, matter of fact attitude should facilitate things. Definitely no approaching the dog or pushing attention on him. Let the dog set the pace. When he stops feeling threatened he will likely approach on his own. Any aggressive approach should be ignored if possible as long as it doesn't turn into an outright attack. (maybe leave a trailing leash on the dog as a way to take control if things really deteriorate, but I doubt that they will).
  • 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!
  • Random aggression problem

    Behavioral Issues
    12
    0 Votes
    12 Posts
    4k Views
    dmcartyD
    Couple of things: First have his Thyroid Checked. I am not one that thinks thats the answer to every things - but it is easy to test and is a quick fix if that is the cause. I don't think I can post a link here but if you go to my icon and click on my info there is my website - on the basenji info page - there is a link to Basenji Thyroid info. On the off chance that I can post a link here it is: http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com/Thyroid.htm Second - I am also in MN and would be happy to help you specifically if you want someone that is 'basenji savy' to give him a look see.
  • Sudden Aggressive Behaviour

    Behavioral Issues
    8
    0 Votes
    8 Posts
    3k Views
    P
    We have already started the positive reinforcement. My 12 year old daughter is very good with him, and she feeds him in the morning. He is always fed in his crate, and we always thought it was cute and funny that as we were putting the food in his dish he was crawling underneath us to get to it. That changed last night. When I was putting water in his dish I made him wait until I had finished. He was trying to drink it through the bars as I poured it. My hubby and daughter have both read the article I printed out. I think Paige will better follow it as my hubby is very softhearted and all our dogs run our life because he simply can't dominate them.
  • Aggression

    Behavioral Issues
    11
    0 Votes
    11 Posts
    5k Views
    abby_basenjiA
    I too have an automatic litter box but we built a platform almost like a cabinate and the poo goes down into a garbage can with a bag in it and abby or missy can not get into the poo.
  • Help with aggression

    Behavioral Issues
    8
    0 Votes
    8 Posts
    4k Views
    L
    Some basenjis seem to have particular kinds of dogs they don't like. My Abbey is best friends with a rottweiller, a black lab, and a dalmation, but she hates golden retrievers! What do they go by, coat color?? She goes after anything that moves at the vet's though. My first basenji many years ago, Pumpkin, climbed trees to get after squirrels, and fences were no problem either.