Vicious growling over sleeping spot

[Tinialani]

I'm a new member and my one year old Benji has a horrible habit of stealing our spot on the couch or rocking chair, and proceeds to growl at us when we return! He sounds like a mad-rabbit sometimes - but only during these occasions. I think he does on purpose; as if to challenge us or something. He's otherwise affectionate, and never mean.

Do any of you believe this is normal? And could this progress to eventual biting? Hoping someone out there has an answer . . .

[nomrbddgs]

If this was a normal domesticated dog I'd say it could progress. but this is a Basenji. I know both of mine growl and carry on as if someone was choking them when they don't want to move. Has he ever nipped, bared his teeth, shown any other agreesion during these times?

[Quercus]

IMO, it is normal…but still not acceptable. Get a treat...start to lure him off the seat, before he starts to carry on. Give it a command, like 'get down' or 'off'. Then start to use your command, and treat after he gets down. Pretty soon, when you walk in he will be hopping off to get his treat.

It might or might not progress to biting. Some dogs are just mouthy little monsters...they bitch and moan about everything....but some are giving you a clear warning...stop doing what you are doing or I will escalate.

Good luck, and let us know how it goes.

[abby_basenji]

My Abby does this all the time. I think it's a B thing.

[tanza]

It is a DOG thing…. more seen in Basenjis and should NEVER be tolerated... this will lead to biting (IMO) and more domination... Your Basenji needs to understand that you are dominate in the home, not them.... this is really important that you nip this now... or he will continue to challenge you at every turn...
Like Andrea said, you need to get him to understand that this is not acceptable... your need to set limits.. and that places like the couch or bed, chair... and the invitation to sit/lay there is an earned reward.. not an expected one....

[luzmery928]

I also think this is a dog thing. My toy poodle hated to be moved if he was sleeping and now our B does the dame. He only does this if he is really tired or in the middle of sleep. He nipped twice and we scold him for that. But at the same time it's like..who wants to be bothered when they are sleeping. I respect sleep even if it is my B's. We move him softly and try to wake him nicely and not jerk him up or push him of abruptly.

[JazzysMom]

Jazzy growls – if you want to call that noise a growl, LOL -- if we move her when she is sleeping. Depending on how deeply asleep she was, the noise can be awful.

I just ignore it. I pick her up and move her where I want her. I may tell her, "Oh, knock it off" or "I know, I know" or something, but that's it.
It never escalates beyond the complaining for us; she's never even made a motion to nip.

[Quercus]

@JazzysMom:

Jazzy growls – if you want to call that noise a growl, LOL -- if we move her when she is sleeping. Depending on how deeply asleep she was, the noise can be awful.

I just ignore it. I pick her up and move her where I want her. I may tell her, "Oh, knock it off" or "I know, I know" or something, but that's it.
It never escalates beyond the complaining for us; she's never even made a motion to nip.

That is what Querk does too…and we do the same thing "oh, please...get off the couch"...but it isn't what I would call a vicious growl (is that how you spell it, I can never get that one right!). But I wouldn't want to advise someone to do that without seeing the intent of their dog...kwim? If the dog is willing to use their mouth, a sleeping place is something they might bite over, and I wouldn't want to advise somebody to try that without knowing if the dog will bite or not.

[basenjishunt]

Normal for Basenjis. If you can get them to jump off or move by calling their attention to something else…toy, who's here?!! etc.
Or you can sit next to them and just kind of "crowd them out" with your butt....:D

[JazzysMom]

But I wouldn't want to advise someone to do that without seeing the >>intent of their dog…kwim?

Point taken.

[tanza]

Here is a link to something that a good friend wrote after her Basenji started to exhibit dominate behavior and this was from many years ago.. took me a while to remember where I saved it…. there are some very good points here including why when your Basenji growls at you when sleeping it should not be tolerated. And it is not something that should just be tossed aside with "All Basenjis do that"... at least not IMO.. and that it can lead to bigger problems... also explains very well why the "alpha roll" should not be used... This not only is good for the young Basenji but also an older one too... these are very tried and true methods...

http://www.tanzabasenjis.net/welladjusted.html

[Mantis]

I suppose there is a point where you become immune to the growlies with basenjis….female or male...you can tell when they have that rabid scarey sound and that of course, is the sound not to be tolerated if you want to remain queen couch potato!! (self proclaimed title) LOL

I say squirt the sucker with a water bottle and you will get that spot back lickedy split! There is nothing worse than trying to settle down on the couch after a long day of work and have a basenji being a weenie.

Basenjis are so full of isms....