Aggressive towards other dogs
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I think part of your pups behavior is due to his age. At 9 months, he's like a teenager. All the teenage boys I've known are a bit touchy, more than willing to "prove themselves", and tend to be obstinate if anyone tells them they are wrong.
So, you are dealing with 2 issues:
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leash pulling
Step on the leash. When you see a dog approaching, or your pup begins to pull at the lead, allow enough slack to form so that you can step down on it. Your body weight is more substantial and that is going to prevent your dog from getting closer to anything they are trying to get to. You will be surprised how fast a dog will figure out that pulling is pointless.Another option would be a 'gentle leader' which forces your dog to face you if they get a certain distance ahead of you. So, if you are using a 6 foot leash, and you are holding 2 feet of it, your dog would only be able to get 4 feet passed your torso before the halter would turn his head back to you. It doesn't require any force, discourages pulling, and is probably an effective tool for teaching one's dog to 'heel'.
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excited/aggressive reactions
Doodle becomes "reactive" with certain dogs... some she knows better than others, and sometimes with dogs she hasn't seen in a while, It seems to be more common if she hasn't been exercised properly. I discourage greeting other dogs while she is on a leash. And, she doesn't get to go to the 'playground' unless she has been on a 1+ mile walk. Somehow the walk calms her a bit. That said, I have learned that Doodle does not have a submissive personality... and will almost bully timid dogs at the dog park. At which point she is put in doggy time-out (i.e.; on her leash and unable to run around and play). Likewise, she won't back down if another dog starts it. Not sure why a good walk is such a cure-all, but it works for us. Perhaps a walk reminds her that I'm the boss and she is expected to 'behave'...
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Sounds like he has become dog aggressive as he matures. It's not unusual. What you are describing is dangerous for both him and the other dogs and you may need to consider just avoiding the situation altogether before there is a serious incident. When walking on leash, if he sees another dog and starts to react it may be best to change direction or watch the other dog pass by from a distance. If he is pulling on the leash, don't allow him to continue walking until the leash is slack. Don't allow bad behaviour to be reinforced by him getting what he wants.
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@Lustopher said in Aggressive towards other dogs:
I will continue with this twice a day
Awesome! You are off to a good start.
(You may already do this, but... here are some other things that came to my mind.)
The environment near the river is going to affect how far your voice will carry, and a whistle carries further than your voice.... if you whistle when you give the come command, you will be helping your dog be a better dog, so to speak. You know, if your dog can't hear you call to him, he doesn't know to come.Add some high value treats: bits of cheese, or cooked chicken, or just part of the days kibble. Treats that he only gets if he responds appropriately while on a walk and/or to off leash commands. So, literally, if it's an off day, your pocket is still full when you get back home.
One other thing that could help would be taking your pup to different places. I attribute part of Doodles reactiveness towards defending "her turf". Look for other walking paths, different experiences and places that would be 'dog friendly'. Mixing it up will help prevent any misconceptions that it's his turf.
You have entered a very fulfilling stage in your relationship with your pup. This is the transition from having a puppy, to sharing your life with a dog. On the other side is a Basenji that actually appreciates and loves you.
p.s. I am looking forward to the progress reports. :)
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@Lustopher Welcome to the rutting season ! This is the time of year Basenji bitches in the Northern Hemisphere come into season and the boys know it. They also know that the very survival of the species depends on THEM. Even neutered Basenjis males will get edgy this time of year. My two have started checking up on every dog we meet in the woods - and while some don't mind, others object so I have taken to going earlier and earlier to avoid seeing other people with dogs.
Have a read (on my own website) of http://zandebasenjis.com/rutting.htm Basenji Boys Have A Rutting Season Too -
Be firm and it will all settle down again around Christmas ! -
@Lustopher I am afraid you have another couple of months of the rutting season in our breed. Basenji bitches come into season (in the Northern Hemisphere) normally from late September to the beginning / middle of December. These days there are many litters born out of the usual time-frame too - but I reckon my boys will snap out of it early December and by Christmas all will be back to normal again.
Taking them to the woods to hunt squirrels will no longer mean they have to check every female they meet - or for that matter males too. Other entire males could pose a threat - - -
From the New Year though, everything will be sunshine and light and they will bow politely in passing but not expect to sniff every canine rear end in Christendom !
Neutering them doesn't prevent this behaviour in the rutting season. As I have so often said, you can cut off the means but you can't remove those 6000 year old urges. You just have to be patient. This too shall pass -
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The joys of owning a male basenji during rutting season; just remember you aren’t in it alone; it will soon be over.
First time my boy experienced rutting season he would cry constantly at home; wasn’t to bothered with intact males.
Second rutting season he wanted nothing to do with males and all round a right pain to deal with. A GSD he grew up with and used to love is now his enemy since the second rutting season.
Currently he seems much easier this year; only gets triggered if another dog flirts with his lady.
I think each male deals with rutting seasons differently then others.
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@Kembe But Kembe, it is nothing to worry about. It is perfectly normal for Basenjis and so far this year I have to agree with @Micah, my boys have (until now and touch wood very hard) been much more relaxed than when they were younger. As long as I can tire them out in the forest where they chase squirrels, they are fine indoors.
In fact, I wish I could train them to find mushrooms ! There are more around this year than for a long time and today, for instance, I collected about a pound (once cleaned) of edible cep. Last week I filled my bag most days. The boys love these foraging walks because I don't even follow back trails, I go totally off piste into the tall timber. And while I am foraging for things to eat, they race around and tire themselves out.
Just be patient. As long as you understand what is going on with Iko that is a BIG step in the right direction.
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Sparkle Barkle came into heat in April. Logan went nuts! I was traveling so my wife was saddled with the mayhem. Mayhem doesn't begin to describe the situation. Sparkle should be coming in again within days, I hope, and unfortunately, he won't get any love this time either. He's gonna be a massive handful for at least a MONTH. I'm not traveling this time, so it's all on me. Cross your fingers for Tri females. I want three!
