My Basenji is growling at Everyone

[Ducati457]

Jazz recently has started to growl at everyone when they do something she doesn't like… She doesn't growl at but at everyone else... I think she might think she's dominate over them... Having my boyfriend get his dominance back with her he can do but I really don't know how to establish the 7 and 10 month old... Anyone got any Ideas..
Rachel

[tanza]

@Ducati457:

Jazz recently has started to growl at everyone when they do something she doesn't like… She doesn't growl at but at everyone else... I think she might think she's dominate over them... Having my boyfriend get his dominance back with her he can do but I really don't know how to establish the 7 and 10 month old... Anyone got any Ideas..
Rachel

Other then talking to the breeder for suggestions, my biggest suggestion is that you get an animal behaviorist to work with you, your BF and the children (I assume you are talking about children)

With children that young, you need assistance before someone really gets hurt…. hopefully she is not around the children alone.. (ever)... that is never a correct situation....

[lvoss]

In addition to talking to the breeder, I would also make sure that you have ruled out a medical issue. When was her last check up? Was a thyroid panel run? A tick screen?

I would also suggest keeping a journal of when she growls so when you talk to a behaviorist you can give them detailed information. There may be a trigger that is more readily identified once you are looking at several of the events together.

[Schouiffy]

Whatever you do , don't force her physically into submission!! it will only make things worse

[calimcc]

I do agree that basenjis and be spiteful, and hold a grudge too: (if you don't apologize to them) Hey, this is my first ever post: sorry if im in the wrong "chat room" or whatever; but when is the correct time to nueter a male? We have Leo, and he just turned 6 mos. I have heard the, "after he lifts his leg" theory. Our vet says that the earlier the better (after 6 mos) because the dog recovers better: any thoghts anyone?

[tanza]

@calimcc:

I do agree that basenjis and be spiteful, and hold a grudge too: (if you don't apologize to them) Hey, this is my first ever post: sorry if im in the wrong "chat room" or whatever; but when is the correct time to nueter a male? We have Leo, and he just turned 6 mos. I have heard the, "after he lifts his leg" theory. Our vet says that the earlier the better (after 6 mos) because the dog recovers better: any thoghts anyone?

I do not believe that Basenjis (or any other breed for that matter) hold a grudge or can be spiteful… those are human emotions and many times we humans try to put them off on our pets... simple not true. Dogs will do bad behaviors because it get the humans attention.. and usually means they are not getting enough attention in a positive way....

You could be waiting a long time for the "leg lift"..ggg Some dogs never do it... especially outdoors around the home. Between 6 and 9 months is a good time to neuter, I have always had my puppy people neuter at 6 to 7 months... But I have had Basenjis neutered at as old as 10 yrs with no recovery problems, depends on their general health in general. But no reason that you should not do it earlier as opposed then later. What does your breeder recommend?

[tanza]

@Ducati457:

Jazz recently has started to growl at everyone when they do something she doesn't like… She doesn't growl at but at everyone else... I think she might think she's dominate over them... Having my boyfriend get his dominance back with her he can do but I really don't know how to establish the 7 and 10 month old... Anyone got any Ideas..
Rachel

Another question for Ducati457, is your girl spayed? Not sure if you said how old she is…. If under a year and not spayed, she could be coming into season which will many times change their temperaments due to hormone changes... even for spayed bitches, they still know when breeding season is and will sometimes "think" they should be coming in season....

[tanza]

@Schouiffy:

Whatever you do , don't force her physically into submission!! it will only make things worse

And I totally agree here… Do NOT force her physically.... someone could really get seriously hurt...

[calimcc]

I was sort of kidding about the grudge thing, Tanza: B's just have so much personality as you know: our breeder, who is awesome, reccommend the "leg lift" time-line: seems like most reccommend 6-8 months: i think thats what we will do

[tanza]

@calimcc:

I was sort of kidding about the grudge thing, Tanza: B's just have so much personality as you know: our breeder, who is awesome, reccommend the "leg lift" time-line: seems like most reccommend 6-8 months: i think thats what we will do

I have had males that never lift their legs…gggg...

[Ducati457]

Okay so many questions to answer…

No she's not left alone with the kids ever...
She's under a year old and isn't spay... I purchased her to show...
Her last check up was 5 months ago when I shipped her in from her breeder...
No I haven't thought about contacting her breeder about the problem...

I was thinking about contacting a trainer about it so I think that's what I'll do... She's a great little girl other then this one problem, but it only happens when she's like comfortable on the couch and they go to move her to touch her... She doesn't snap (thank god) but growls and runs away from them...that's the only time that she growls

[lvoss]

If the only time that she growls is when she thinks she is going to be to moved, try calling her off the couch and rewarding with a treat when she moves. The kids can do this too and it will help with making her feel that the kids mean good things.

[tanza]

@Ducati457:

Okay so many questions to answer…

No she's not left alone with the kids ever...
She's under a year old and isn't spay... I purchased her to show...
Her last check up was 5 months ago when I shipped her in from her breeder...
No I haven't thought about contacting her breeder about the problem...

I was thinking about contacting a trainer about it so I think that's what I'll do... She's a great little girl other then this one problem, but it only happens when she's like comfortable on the couch and they go to move her to touch her... She doesn't snap (thank god) but growls and runs away from them...that's the only time that she growls

You should always at least contact your breeder to get a reality check… IMO.. and I agree with lvoss... if she is on the couch... make sure she is awake first and call her off the couch before touching her... especially with small children.. their natural reaction is to reach in and touch... you need to teach them to respect "her" space... and they need to call out first before touching... same for your BF.....

I think that a behaviorist would be a great idea... be sure it is one that understands Basenjis and has worked with them if possible

[thunderbird8588]

Gosh this story sounds so familiar Ducati. Our Basenji Benji would always growl if we attempted to get him off furniture with our hands. We learned you just don't go there. Like someone else has suggested you need to tell them to get down, usualy over and over untill they do and then reward when they do. I'm sure you will have sucess with her being so young. Just needs loads of patience.
I also found that if he got into my place i could get him to move by pressing him etc with my body rather like another dog would, but probs this method would be considered unsafe in case it triggered a bite. Good luck.

[wizard]

My first basenji would absolutely freak out (never saw an animal move that fast) if he was touched while sleeping on the couch. My second one would sometimes fake nip if he were startled while sleeping on the couch. My two cents worth would be to work on making sure she is awake before grabbing her off the couch as Lvoss and Tanza said.

[renaultf1]

I have a 4yo male that doesn't lift his leg probably 80% of the time.

[jys1011]

Ditto! My girl never lfts her leg either & she's 5yo now. She squats like any other respectable woman

[wubanga]

ya my male is 1.5 and hardly ever lifts his leg to go, as for the growling my pup about 1 and ahalf yrs old has a similar problem hes super nice with ppl but whenever my other dog goes near a bone hes chewing or his food while hes eating he makes this viscous growling noise. actually any dog he does that to. and he also tries to be dominate over the older basenji and constantly stands over her while shes lying down like hes some big tough guy.