Aggression

[divajazz]

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

[tanza]

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.

[Mantis]

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.

[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

[tanza]

@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

[sharronhurlbut]

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

[tanza]

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…