Skip to content
Basenji Forums
  1. Home
  2. Behavioral Issues
  3. Aggressive towards men

Aggressive towards men

Behavioral Issues
  • W

    Hello,

    I have a Basenji mix, and he is brand new to me. He was a stray who just showed up on our street last week. Vet's guess is 2 years old and we do not know his history. He is super sweet and loving, gets along well with my dog, but got very aggressive towards my male roommate when he came home last night. The two had been introduced on two occasions, on the street and in our yard (and got on fine). But this was their first meeting after Joey (Basenji) had come in and had a full day in the house. This morning we coordinated so my roommate could be the one to feed Joey before he left for work, but it was one loud, aggressive, hair-raising ordeal.

    He barks non-stop, and very pointedly at my roommate. The hair on his back stands up. And this morning he even made some lunging movements towards my roommates feet/ankles - but did not make contact.

    Ideas? Suggestions?

    Thoughts on whether this is a settling-in issue, that will go away when he feels safe/secure? Or is this a more long-term issue?

    Thanks for your help!
    Michelle

    0
  • L

    When my rescued basenji grew old, she seemed to think she had to protect me from anybody, which I never asked. Constantly telling her I didn't agree with this behaviour (talking to her deep voice but not shouting), she changed little by little, even if today she keeps an eye on me when somebody she doesn't know comes too close. I think basenjis are so sensitive they can decide there's a danger only from their past experience or their instinct, and the most different situations you will show them, the best they'll be in everyday life. But truly, I'm not sure it goes trough feeding, as far as they are very proud dogs, and they are not necessarily waiting for you to provide them what they need ! (my Tosca feeds herself in the wild with mice and birds and chestnuts and corn if she has decided we don't give her what she wants… and she's in perfect health, vet says).

    0
  • eeeefarmE

    That this arose at home but not on the street sounds like property protectiveness, and should dissipate once your dog figures out he lives there too, but you need to work on it if you want to avoid issues with other visitors.

    Can you remove yourself from the equation and allow the roommate to just "be" there, ignoring the dog until things settle down? Then, treats and food can reward more settled behaviour. IMO it would be a mistake to try to force the relationship in any way. A calm, matter of fact attitude should facilitate things. Definitely no approaching the dog or pushing attention on him. Let the dog set the pace. When he stops feeling threatened he will likely approach on his own. Any aggressive approach should be ignored if possible as long as it doesn't turn into an outright attack. (maybe leave a trailing leash on the dog as a way to take control if things really deteriorate, but I doubt that they will).

    "In order to get along with a Basenji, you have to be at least half as smart as the dog!"

    0

Suggested Topics

  • M

    Aggressive issues

    Moved Behavioral Issues
    18
    1 Votes
    18 Posts
    10k Views
    BigVB
    I don't want to sound personnel but if you are in control why does he keep showing aggression to other intact dogs. By taking him away from the other dog is not teaching him not to be aggressive . He may see you as boss but he wants to be second in charge and see,s all other intact dogs as a threat to his position. Don't be to proud to use a muzzle , and as I said take out to mix with intact dogs . As he can't hurt them and will soon relize,s this you need to stand up and let him know your displeasure using voice and physical presence and a small water pistol as he will hate being squirted. You should find the water pistol works a treat. I would do this every few days until his stops the aggressive behaviour , then I would try without the muzzle but always keep the water pistol with you and let him see it as he will remember what happens when he acts up. This is a method I have used to help mates control their pig dogs . I am by far an expert and are always prepared to Liston to others thoughts as this is how I learn.
  • farabuttoF

    Aggression towards other dogs

    Behavioral Issues
    8
    1 Votes
    8 Posts
    7k Views
    farabuttoF
    @DebraDownSouth Thanks Debra, you've given me a lot to think about. I think I'll start immediately with the "leave it" training at home and then get in touch with some trainers/behaviorists in my area. I'm not expecting any miracles here but, like you said, even just learning to ignore other dogs would make such a difference.
  • ZolasMommyZ

    Showing aggression towards the husband?!?!?!

    Behavioral Issues
    15
    0 Votes
    15 Posts
    7k Views
    P
    lvoss, thank you very much for that link. It was very informative and lots of good advice. I got carried away and read and watched other of her training hints. What a super site!
  • L

    My basenji is showing aggression towards certain people, sometimes dogs too

    Behavioral Issues
    13
    0 Votes
    13 Posts
    9k Views
    krunzerK
    @Patty: In my opinion you shouldn't be showing him like this - even though this aggression seems to be against certain individuals there could be a time when he takes against the judge. Yes, getting kicked out of the ring because your dog growls and won't stand still for the judge is very very embarrasing!! This did not happen to me with a B but the Shiba Inu we had. I was 16, it was her first show and she growled at the judge and would not stand still on the table…...I got excused from the ring.....in my hometown.....and its a small little show, 175 dogs. After that show we got her spayed, as I did not want to carry on that temperment in puppies. She was a very good dog but I am glad we spayed her because she had an attitude! She was my first show dog and we did not do proper research on the breeder first. Sorry, this is getting off topic.
  • T

    Older Basenji aggressive towards 1.5 yo

    Behavioral Issues
    11
    0 Votes
    11 Posts
    4k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    LOL have your mom listen to Arwen on youtube. The noises, thank goodness, do not match the actions.
  • P

    Male Basenji aggressive behavior towards owners

    Behavioral Issues
    10
    0 Votes
    10 Posts
    3k Views
    jessi76J
    @sharronhurlbut: Crating a dog when your at work and then when you sleep is way too much. I am not saying this is the case…but imo, if your home, have the dog with you. I agree… mostly. a dog should be with it's family but, young pups who do not yet know the rules of the house, should be crated IMO, mostly for their own safety. You can't very well supervise a pup when you're sleeping. however, I do think there is a middle ground to it... I crated my dog at night until he was about 7mths old, and 100% reliable in the house (no accidents). I always kept the crate right next to the bed though. with the exception of night hours, our dog was never crated for longer than 4 hrs at a time. our goal was always to achieve no need for the crate.. which we reached when he was around 2 yrs old. I think a crate is a wonderful TOOL, but it's just that, a tool, not a way of life. We still have one of our crates set up, and occasionally our dog will choose to use it, but the door is never shut.