Trouble Dog

[spataculrly_kat]

I certainly will keep you updated.

Also do you notice any of your Basenjis "digging" sort of thing when they are just about to curl up to sleep? I find it funny and only seen one other dog do it. Just interested in why they do it… Never mind, google answered it

[DebraDownSouth]

First, Moth the link you sent is
1. recycled info the person got from others… and
2. some of it is outdated (dogs aren't really "den" creatures, nor are wolves who use dens only with young. Knowledgeable trainers know this but here is link: http://www.wolfcenter.org/den.html

Now considered sub-adults, the wolves will never use a den again in their life, unless one of them later becomes a mother herself. Dens are only used for birthing puppies, not as a sleeping area or to escape the weather as you may think. In captivity, wolves will occasionally use dens to escape dominance from other members, but this is not a natural behavior, rather an ingenious way to use the available environment to cope with the negative aspects of captivity.

3. some of it wrong (yes horses, cows and other grass eating creatures sometimes DO, indeed, guard food and grazing area)
4. dangerous. … to suggest a dog that growls over food is EVER, even under adult supervision, ready for a child to work with is bad info.

As for "space guarding" ...when your dog is actually reacting to being approached on a leash... having more to do with the leash/being held back and vulnerable and sometimes what we call "loading"... an excitement created by pulling on the leash, and in the home which is territorial. Being MOVED depends on whether the dog is asleep or simply having to do with saying you have no right to move it.

Second, the snarkiness at Sharon, uncalled for. She offered her advice that she does NOT allow other dogs to approach when leashed. That is pretty common behavior for many dogs, not just basenjis. Dogs reacting on leash is COMMON. To chastise her for giving you her view ... wow shaking head. Here's a bit of board education for you. You can post what you like, but others get to respond. And if you take a simple statement and jump them like you did her (someone I double darned guarantee you has more basenji experience than Moth or I have (albeit not more DOG experience, lol... sorry Sharon had to toss that in), you can expect snarkiness in response either from the person you jumped or someone like me who is less concerned with niceties than dear Sharon. Tut tut.

Third, your dog is MATURING. The "new" behavior may have nothing more to do with anything than maturing. Absolutely your dog COULD have a thyroid issue which can create aggressive behaviors but it is more common after 4 or 5 in most breeds. Maybe a breeder will chime in. Get a FULL panel, don't waste time on general one. Not sure where you send them in Australia but here we have maybe a dozen reliable sources only.

As for: she usually acts really excited
Many owners do not have the experience to interpret "excited." Excited often is "OH BOY A FRIEND" and often "OH BOY A CHANCE TO FIGHT" or "OH NO I CAN'T ESCAPE THE APPROACHING DOG."

Since you can avoid dogs, or stop them coming up to your dog... again, work on the human issues first, with vet check. You may have to accept that your dog, like many, is never going to regain friendliness to other dogs on lead. If you keep pushing it, it will, I promise you, get worse.

Take care of the human issues, and once resolved, then you can revisit the dog one. You might arrange a play date or find dogs your dog knows and likes and work on the leash thing with them later to retrain that dogs approaching on leash are not a threat.

They may "dig" to make den, but much like the circling, it's only a guess. Cara does this to Leora (my daughter) as if trying to dig under her. My daughter is not impressed and it is usually when she wants to play, not sleep. My bedding doesn't like it either.

[spataculrly_kat]

Firstly I honestly don't think it is Space Guarding because she would be growling at me every time, it doesn't seem to be a constant. When I was reading the information it didn't seem familiar to me but I can always check it out, no harm I guess

Secondly I feel that providing helpful information is what this forum is about, Sharon seem to just want to chip in, I have met many people like this but I do apologize because I could have just ignored it I just get defensive that way and yes there was no reason for me to respond the way I did.

Thirdly, I will get it checked out she does need a check up etc but you have a point. I am not sure of the resources here Australia can get very frustrating here, if it doesn't have a market they won't do it. I will keep trying though. I will most definitely not be letting her interact with other dogs on leashes human or otherwise once was enough for me I am just lucky she is a small dog

[Moth]

@DebraDownSouth:

First, Moth the link you sent is
1. recycled info the person got from others… and
2. some of it is outdated (dogs aren't really "den" creatures, nor are wolves who use dens only with young. Knowledgeable trainers know this but here is link: http://www.wolfcenter.org/den.html

3. some of it wrong (yes horses, cows and other grass eating creatures sometimes DO, indeed, guard food and grazing area)
4. dangerous. … to suggest a dog that growls over food is EVER, even under adult supervision, ready for a child to work with is bad info.

As for "space guarding" ...when your dog is actually reacting to being approached on a leash... having more to do with the leash/being held back and vulnerable and sometimes what we call "loading"... an excitement created by pulling on the leash, and in the home which is territorial. Being MOVED depends on whether the dog is asleep or simply having to do with saying you have no right to move it.

Whoa…how did I get into this argument. My link was about resource guarding period and that is it. It had nothing to do with dens. And they never claim that dogs are the same as wolves...they merely mention that predators may engage in resource guarding and that has nothing to do with dominance (unlike a lot of people think). I merely was trying to give her a chance to learn about and understand why her dog may be guarding space. Responding to her concerns about the animal growling at family members when resting on the sofa.

I was not talking about her leash aggression other than to say that training her to be calm at a distance was a good idea.

Recommending for the dog to have a vet exam and mentioning thyroid was merely a response to the OP mentioning that the behavior changes seemed sudden.

[Quercus]

You might try the book "Click to Calm" by Emma Parsons. And also (before Kim/Agile can say it) "Control Unleashed" by Leslie McDevitt Both of these books will help you change the behavior, regardless of why it is happening.

[spataculrly_kat]

@Quercus:

You might try the book "Click to Calm" by Emma Parsons. And also (before Kim/Agile can say it) "Control Unleashed" by Leslie McDevitt Both of these books will help you change the behavior, regardless of why it is happening.

Thank you! I will definitely get on that :):):):):):):):):D:D:D:D:D

[agilebasenji]

@Quercus:

You might try the book "Click to Calm" by Emma Parsons. And also (before Kim/Agile can say it) "Control Unleashed" by Leslie McDevitt Both of these books will help you change the behavior, regardless of why it is happening.

oh, look! A CU convert.

[vickilb]

I want to be like Sharon and chip in too!!!:):):)

I have a precious BRAT rescue, Hunter, who resource guards me, the couch, and me & the couch. He bit my Husband very badly on more than one occasion.

I took Hunter to a trainer and she showed us ways to get Hunter to unlearn the behavoir. My Husband did none of the work. The behavoir continued so I got rid of the Husband. Guess what? The behavoir stopped!

All kidding aside, everyone on the family has to be willing to do the work. Consistancy is the key and it is possible. When you commented on your Sister all cozy, sleeping with the b, and then your b was growling at her boyfriend. Your b doesn't want him spoiling her warm snuggly place!

Good luck!

[lvoss]

@spataculrly_kat:

Wow, because that was helpful. YOU may not let your dog interact on a leash but my dog has always been good until recently. If you are going to post please post something that will actually contribute to the conversation.

But why do you let her interact? She is clearly giving distance increasing signals and asking the dog not to approach and is escalating to higher level signals when the lesser ones are ignored. So why does she need to greet dogs on lead?

[Buddys Pal]

@Moth:

Have you ever tried an obedience class? It might be a great place to start.

It sounds like your dog is space guarding.

http://ahimsadogtraining.com/blog/resource-guarding/

was just going through some old threads, and came across this one-Moth, I like your style and advice-esp this link!