Skip to content

My vet says my puppy is too aggressive

Behavioral Issues
  • @mikesull said in My vet says my puppy is too aggressive:

    Hi - still not sure why neutering is “bad, bad, bad”? Understand if thats an opinion and thats cool but 100% of every dog owner i know has had their dog spayed/neutered. Seems the responsible thing to do as well?

    I should have been more clear. Neutering TOO early is bad bad bad... IMO. From what I've learned it leads to weird things happening in males. For instance their legs can grown unusually long. Another way to put is that their bodies need the hormones to mature normally. Remove those hormones too early and the body gets confused. I'm not saying don't ever do it. I'm saying I'll never do it early again. I'm thinking no earlier than 1.5 to 2 yo. Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't think so.

  • @jengosmonkey said in My vet says my puppy is too aggressive:

    no earlier than 1.5 to 2 yo. Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't think so.

    No earlier, for sure. Best wait, if you MUST do it, until the animal is 3 at least.

  • @zande - As we have talked about, not the same in the US, sad to say. People do not want the responsibility be it a female or male. And the more that get dogs for "whoever" the more chances that they will breed them and have puppies. And then there are the people that want to breed "because their children should see the miracle of birth"... NOT

  • @tanza, and also many breeders insist on their pups being neutered if they are not being shown. And often co-ownership if the dog is intact and showing. When I got Perry at 3 years old, he was intact, but I had to promise to send proof of neutering as a condition of having him.

  • @tanza I'm just pointing out that too early is NOT good for the dog.

    Its such a shame that the mindset over there is so different to that over here. I have long since accepted that as fact, although with extreme reluctance.

    But @JENGOSMonkey was saying not before 1.5 - 2 years. And that he didn't think that was 'too early'.

    For the development of the dog, yes it IS too early. But it will happen, over and over again. Such a shame.

  • @eeeefarm - That is true because many breeders know that people do not want to be bothered with in-tact dogs, especially when they have children in the house.... Just pointing out reasons that many people have their pets spayed/neutered. And yes in the US it is a requirement from many breeders... differences between the US and Europe. But that does not mean spay/neuter at a totally inappropriate age.

  • @giira2121

    I think the biting/soiling himself is an extreme reaction to seeing a child 12 feet away! I've never heard of or seen such a thing happen. A fearful dog is a dangerous dog and your guy is just a little pup! I don't think he is aggressive - just fearful. If you were carrying him, that would explain the bite. An animal in fear or over excited will bite anything nearby (even a loved one). You need to build his confidence and control his attention. You use a sling (to carry him)? Don't. He needs to walk, explore and build confidence!

    First, get yourself a light metal chain leash (not a heavy one).
    Next, make sure he is wearing a collar and/or harness he cannot get out of - these guys can be like a houdini contortionist and you want to prevent his escape at all cost! If you have to use both a collar and a harness, do it. I recommend a martingale collar in addition to a harness. Use 2 leashes if you have to. Keep your eyes on him every second when he is on leash and you are outside. I keep my basenji in front of me - it's when he is behind me and starts to back up that he can get out of his collar/harness.
    Next, desensitize him to whatever freaks him out. Go to a playground - stay far away and work your way closer SLOWLY and preferably with another dog who is older and very calm who can be a good example for your little guy. Or sign up for a puppy obedience class where there will be a couple of kids. Let the instructor know about the problem. Your pup will be distracted by the other pups and they will be a good example to show him there's no reason to melt down.

    Always have treats to give to other people to give to Pharaoh so he will learn that strangers (big and little) are a good thing. Also, work with him on "Look at Me!" in a happy voice when you give him treats and put his food down - if you can get him to focus on you rather than whatever is "bothering" him, it could help in a scary situation.

    You need to build Pharaoh's confidence up.

    I support spaying and neutering. It can be kinder. My friend has a wonderful and well mannered Arabian stallion. I feel sorry for him that he can never be with other horses.

  • @pawla - I think you are responding to a different post?

  • @pawla - Pretty difficult to try and relate a horse stallion to an intact male dog? I came from horses and they are totally different then dogs...

  • So when I mentioned not neutering till 1.5 to 2 years, I based that on reading on multiple sites including AKCs that sexual maturity occurs between 6 to 9 mo, and that most breeds (males) are full grown by 12 mo. Large breeds by 24 mo. They seem to agree that full grown means growth plates have closed. Based on that, the range I gave would be generous for a Besenji.

  • @tanza said in My vet says my puppy is too aggressive:

    @pawla - I think you are responding to a different post?

    I had the same thought, however, the post that I this response reminded me of has been deleted (by the author). This response, I think, should have gone to: @yahtzee92

  • @mikesull

    Hi - still not sure why neutering is “bad, bad, bad”? Understand if thats an opinion and thats cool but 100% of every dog owner i know has had their dog spayed/neutered. Seems the responsible thing to do as well?

    For reasons in a nutshell and in detail, I'd suggest you check out the link below. It has scientific research to dispel many neutering myths.

    https://my.puppyculture.co.uk/resources/flipbook/spay-neuter-booklet/

    Good luck with your decision.

  • @giira2121
    as @donc said

    First off, if a vet thinks neutering will change aggressive behavior you should look for a new vet. That is such a discredited myth. If she doesn't know that what else doesn't she know?

    When considering whether to neuter, I'd suggest you check out the link below. It has scientific research to dispel many neutering myths.

    It's a brief but very thorough booklet discussing the pros and cons of neutering/spaying, more science based than anecdotal.
    https://my.puppyculture.co.uk/resources/flipbook/spay-neuter-booklet/

    There is definitely less societal compulsion to spay/neuter in Europe.

Suggested Topics

  • 5 Month Old Puppy Fear Aggression

    Behavioral Issues
    6
    1 Votes
    6 Posts
    2k Views
    M
    You are taking the right steps. It sounds like you have been very diligent in training your puppy and caring for her especially with a broken foot and quarantine. If you specifically asked the Vet how she did and he didn't say anything until now that's really disappointing - I would look for a new Vet but at the very least I would stay with her through the visits. I agree with Ember's comment. Good luck with the fear trainer.
  • Puppy issues

    Behavioral Issues
    10
    0 Votes
    10 Posts
    4k Views
    A
    @nick4 I am in the "Basenji Zone" as well. I have done the putting her in the crate and then walking away while I talk to her and then letting her out and then back in again and I do the same thing where i will step out then come back in again. She does best when i leave her a good greenie for her teeth and I step out really quick she got used to it. Also I had the shower problem I even went as far as bringing her into the shower and to my surprise she did not care and i used it as a way to get her comfortable with the water....then i slowly gave her water from the shower talked to her while I was in there and peeked out the curtain every now and then and she got a lot calmer. I dont know if any this would help. Just wanted to share!
  • My puppy is no longer a puppy.

    Behavioral Issues
    23
    0 Votes
    23 Posts
    6k Views
    renaultf1R
    @tanza: So you think…ggg.... I will be waiting to here what happens when you put panties on your girl.... go out and come home.... Tea Tree Oil or not...:rolleyes: LOL, took the words right out of my mouth…we want pictures of how the panties look after you leave her with them on and you're not around to watch her. :D :D :D With Ruby, anyone I talked to about the panties said, skip it because they'll get shredded and clean up after her...so that was what I did. Wasn't really a big deal. I have wood floors, area rugs that are easily washed, and blankets I put on the furniture. :D And with Ruby, I know exactly how it would have gone w/panties (not good) just based on how she was about me checking that area to see if she was bleeding.
  • Does my puppy not like me?

    Behavioral Issues
    7
    0 Votes
    7 Posts
    3k Views
    B
    Mine do the same….visitors get the full "treatment" , Tail wagging, low growling, yipping, the works. I tell ya.......:rolleyes:
  • Leash aggression??

    Behavioral Issues
    13
    0 Votes
    13 Posts
    5k Views
    basenjibratzB
    @Quercus: That sounds ideal! I do love the head collars…the ONLY drawback is so many dogs have fits when they wear them. But the control is awesome, particularly for reactive dogs. Glad it is working for you! Oh yes, Talker had a fit when he was younger and I tried the collar. I gave up because I felt so bad for him. I don't know what changed this time–whether I was calmer or he mellowed out or what, but he accepted the halti this time around and I'm loving it. There were so many times that he would be so anxious to be out walking that getting him to stop pulling was tiresome and the walks were not enjoyable. We were constantly stopping and starting and stopping and starting to re-adjust ourselves. Now, we just walk. Loving the halti!:)
  • Aggression

    Behavioral Issues
    11
    0 Votes
    11 Posts
    5k Views
    abby_basenjiA
    I too have an automatic litter box but we built a platform almost like a cabinate and the poo goes down into a garbage can with a bag in it and abby or missy can not get into the poo.