My Basenji is growling at Everyone

[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.