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 issues

    Moved Behavioral Issues
    18
    1 Votes
    18 Posts
    10k Views
    BigVB
    I don't want to sound personnel but if you are in control why does he keep showing aggression to other intact dogs. By taking him away from the other dog is not teaching him not to be aggressive . He may see you as boss but he wants to be second in charge and see,s all other intact dogs as a threat to his position. Don't be to proud to use a muzzle , and as I said take out to mix with intact dogs . As he can't hurt them and will soon relize,s this you need to stand up and let him know your displeasure using voice and physical presence and a small water pistol as he will hate being squirted. You should find the water pistol works a treat. I would do this every few days until his stops the aggressive behaviour , then I would try without the muzzle but always keep the water pistol with you and let him see it as he will remember what happens when he acts up. This is a method I have used to help mates control their pig dogs . I am by far an expert and are always prepared to Liston to others thoughts as this is how I learn.
  • Aggression to another female.

    Behavioral Issues
    44
    0 Votes
    44 Posts
    17k Views
    mauigirlM
    My concern with this situation is that the issues these two are having is something that should have come about during a trial period. Were they introduced on neutral ground? Were they in the same space for HOURS before you decided to adopt the lab? I think that maybe the decision to adopt the lab wasn't thought through as completely as it could have been and it's unfair that as a result Lady will have to go through another major life change. If you're going to add another animal to the household, and this is as big a life change for Lady as it is for you, I think you owed it to her to make sure this other dog could be her friend and integrate into the pack. Maybe your assumption was that all dogs do (should?) get along, no questions asked. Not all humans get along, that is for sure, so why do we expect this of dogs? I agree with other comments that in no way should Lady be labeled aggresive for how she interacts with Raven. Also Lady's growling when you pick up her possibly suggests that she sees herself as leader of the pack. Basenjis need a very strong alpha human to keep things in order. If she sees herself as ruler of the household she's dealing with an intruder who became part of the family without any of her input and certainly not her approval.
  • 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.
  • Bedtime aggression

    Behavioral Issues
    21
    0 Votes
    21 Posts
    9k Views
    youngandtiredY
    Sahara never gets grumpy when she has to move or I move her myself. When she was a puppy I always tried to get her use to being moved, and I just couldn't keep my hands off of her when she was sleeping. Just like a sweet little baby, I just had to sweet talk her and rub her, she looked so sweet and lovable. I still have a had time leaving her alone, hubby too when she is sleeping. She is great, when she is sleeping in my lap and I have to get up, I just say, "Sahara, Mommy has to get up". She immediately gets up and moves and goes to lay down in her bed or in the guest room where it is usually nice and dark (no lights on). I read on here when she was a puppy to get her use to being moved when she was sleeping and I thank this forum for that. I took the advice and Sahara is all the good for that. She still growls and puts my wrist in her mouth when I get in my car, she hates to see me leave. I am still working on this behavior, hope the water bottle stops it for good.:D
  • Leash aggression??

    Behavioral Issues
    13
    0 Votes
    13 Posts
    6k Views
    basenjibratzB
    @Quercus: That sounds ideal! I do love the head collars…the ONLY drawback is so many dogs have fits when they wear them. But the control is awesome, particularly for reactive dogs. Glad it is working for you! Oh yes, Talker had a fit when he was younger and I tried the collar. I gave up because I felt so bad for him. I don't know what changed this time–whether I was calmer or he mellowed out or what, but he accepted the halti this time around and I'm loving it. There were so many times that he would be so anxious to be out walking that getting him to stop pulling was tiresome and the walks were not enjoyable. We were constantly stopping and starting and stopping and starting to re-adjust ourselves. Now, we just walk. Loving the halti!:)
  • Help with aggression

    Behavioral Issues
    8
    0 Votes
    8 Posts
    5k 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.