Skip to content
Basenji Forums
  1. Home
  2. Behavioral Issues
  3. Help

Help

Behavioral Issues
  • H

    Hi all. I have a 3 yrs old B&W male basenji. I have noticed that (for the last month) he appears to be catching invisible flies. Does that make sense? He will just set there and try to catch something in the air. Sometimes, he will chase something thats not there. He looks cute and funny doing it BUT im getting concerned.
    Has anyone else witnessed it? Is it normal?

    Joti & Karen

    Surrey, BC

    Canada

    0
  • P

    I would get him checked out by your vet if there is truly nothing there that he's trying to catch.. I have seen a this behavour in a dog which was eventually diagnosed as a neurological problem.

    0
  • MothM

    There is a seizure disorder in dogs that expresses itself in this way. I would take him to a vet.

    That being said I have had dogs with epilepsy and seizure disorders are often quite manageable with good vet care :)

    Visit the Curly Tailed Brigade

    http://curly-tailed.blogspot.com/

    0
  • DebraDownSouthD

    Yep, it is even called fly catching syndrome.
    http://www.cavalierhealth.org/flycatchers.htm

    Debra

    0
  • D

    I have read that certain eye problems can cause this also. You will probably have to go to an opthalmologist for a complete exam.

    Does he have any other neurological symptoms?

    I would contact the breeder and see if seizures are in the lines.

    Here is a vet website with general seizure information including psychomotor seizures which is the kind that causes the flybiting. I do not know this vet.

    http://www.drjwv.com/faq/?view=37&name=Seizures%20(Epilepsy

    Jennifer

    0
  • Shaye's MomS

    Have your vet check his eyes, and if he sees anything, he'll probably refer you to a vet opthalmologist. The same thing was happening with Shaye. We took her to the specialist and he found she has astigmatism right in the center of her right eye. When she is just sitting around not doing anything else, she sees that dead spot in the middle of her eye and keeps trying to catch things that are not there as well. We were afraid it was a cataract, but it is not, and should stay the way it is forever - nothing to be done about it, but maybe she will get accustomed to ignoring it after a while. We wondered about the problem being seizures as well, but that was not the problem. Do have it checked out thoroughly.

    0
  • S

    Do let us know what you found out from the vets.

    Sharron Hurlbut

    BRAT, basenji rescue

    Evergreen basenji club

    Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue

    0

Suggested Topics

  • B

    Desperately need your help!

    Moved Behavioral Issues
    3
    0 Votes
    3 Posts
    2k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    Sudden behavior change at this age is almost always medical. I am glad you are now keeping him separated, but honestly you should have the first incident. After the first bite, most courts or judges would rule you knew he was a danger and he could not only have been seized, but you sued for significant damages. You are lucky no one is filing. Thyroid is the primary cause that I am aware of for sudden change. Yes, brain tumors are possible, but more likely thyroid. Some forms of epilepsy also can cause a dog to attack, but typically this is truly out of nowhere-- not like what you describe when a dog is told no about something. Pain can also do it.. sadly cancer had been found in similar situations of sudden growing aggression. The ENCOURAGING part is you had several months without problems... so again, look at the most simple... thyroid. Make sure you get a full panel, not just an in-house partial. In the meantime, understand you didn't cause this, and it may be fixable. If thyroid, it's inexpensive medication. But you won't know until you get tests runs. Hopefully those wanting him put down will feel better knowing you are acting to find out if there is a medical issue.
  • Heinz57H

    Help!

    Behavioral Issues
    17
    0 Votes
    17 Posts
    5k Views
    KipawaK
    Kipawa went through a rambunctious stage at 13 months - he didn't do anything bad, but he seemed to be 'testing' who the boss was. He was reminded, consistently. (Grin) At 15 months he started to show very nice maturation qualities and a complete understanding of his place in our family pack. Be patient, be consistent, give him lots of exercise and really praise him when he is good.
  • P

    Help! Not sure about a trainer to help with a kid-nipping basenji

    Behavioral Issues
    32
    0 Votes
    32 Posts
    16k Views
    Buddys PalB
    Wow! this is one of many, many threads that I have responded to and I am very interested in the outcome of Poopydog and the nipping. As I was going through the Thread, I really had to bypass any of the responses of those who enjoy attacking one another. I sure hope this behavior did not thwart our member who really needed help. The majority are replies to one another trying to impart important knowledge or experience to someone who did not ask for it in the first place. Don't try to sound important. Everyone is, just give happy good-hearted advice and let us just not dig into the other who has a different opinion. Just dig, digs, and more digs. Really getting old….........................I know you won't miss me, but this is just too much.................................................................
  • P

    Help….What do I do...

    Behavioral Issues
    20
    0 Votes
    20 Posts
    7k Views
    QuercusQ
    I agree with Debra…dogs who feel it is okay to growl and snap at their owners to get their way should not be sleeping in the bed. Paulajean, you can work this out...just get some good advice from a good trainer...she is not a bad dog, you just need a way to communicate to her that you are the leader :) Check out Patricia McConnell's book "How to Be the Leader of the Pack (and have your dog love you for it)" you can google it and find it at several different vendors.
  • K

    My puppy is Not eating - help!

    Behavioral Issues
    16
    0 Votes
    16 Posts
    5k Views
    basenji_fanB
    I will second everyone else and just go down to the two meals a day. You can give her a mid day snack like a few cookies. But her poos can be soft because she is eating to much food and causing the slight weight loss because it is just coming out LOL Also like most, my adult only eats 2/3 of a cup a day. With the amount on the bags they are just "recommend" amounts. You have to adjust to what is best for your pup/dog and feed them what works to keep them at an ideal weight.
  • mybestfriendM

    Help for Max

    Behavioral Issues
    12
    0 Votes
    12 Posts
    4k Views
    AJs HumanA
    @lvoss: These behaviors are not necessarily "wanting to be the boss". Several of them seem to be resource gaurding behaviors, like what he is doing with your husband. I agree…and from what I'm seeing here, YOU are the resource. I'm not sure whether to train the Terrier part of him or the Basenji part of him. A behaviorist or professional trainer would have a better idea.