We have two male basenjis. One is two and one is seven months. They were great together until one week ago. Now everytime they see each other they fight. If I dont seperate them they will fight to the death. We got the older dog neutered two days ago and the seven month old goes in this wednesday to get fixed. What can I do to get these dogs to get along with each other? I need help.
That is the problem many times with two males. And as they say, it works till it doesn't, especially when both are not neutered. The one that you just had neutered or the one that you are going to have done, will not lose the hormones for a while, doesn't just happen over night.
I would wonder what the situation was that started the fighting? It is not usual that there were not signs before an incident? And if they are really fighting to the "death" it is going to be very difficult (IMO) to get them back together.
One thing you might do is to keep them separated for now, but take them on walks together. And be sure you are the leader and that they listen to you and not focus on each other. Slowly work back to seeing if they will once again get along together
Have you talked to the breeder of either Basenji?
Thank you so much for your feed back it is very much appreciated. That is exactly what we have been told is to try and re-introcuce them a little at a time with walks about two weeks after their proceedures. We really hope that works as we are so in love with both and would be lost with out either one.
The older Basenji we rescued at 7 months so we dont know much about the breeder only that he is a pure bred. We did find out however that he has fanconi. We almost lost him to the disease a few times but after extensive research about it he is now a very healty boy due a special diet we have him on.
The younger one came to our family this past February, we obtained him directly from the breeder and thank goodness he was fanconi free. The breeder has kept in touch with us checking on him periodically so I will contact her and see what more if any information she might be able to share.
Our fingers are crossed that they will be back to bieng brothers again no matter how much work has to be done with the wonderful advise we have been given. Thank you so much!
I actually just thought of something. Our neighbor has 3 dogs two male's and one female that I know has not been spayed. Is it possible that she is in heat which is causing this suddent issue?
I actually just thought of something. Our neighbor has 3 dogs two male's and one female that I know has not been spayed. Is it possible that she is in heat which is causing this suddent issue?
Yes it can, for sure…. and since it will take the hormone's a while to settle down.... it may continue to be a problem. Add to that if the males next door are in-tact... that can add to your problem.... As they say, "love" the one your with... or in the case of Basenjis when they can't get to what they want, they wind up fighting with each other....
Sorry to hear that your boy has Fanconi. Is it on Dr. Gonto's protocol? And have you had a full thyroid panel done on him? Many Fanconi dogs have Thyroid issues and they can cause a sudden change in temperament.
I would think that you are spot-on about the change in their behavior, because all dogs, especially basenjis,have a great sense of smell and know about the local "darling"…. 
I have two basenji girls that got along fabulously, but suddenly started to snark at each other. It quickly escalated to nasty fighting. When this happened, I asserted myself as the dominant female- separated both of them, told them NO! They both calmed down. As soon as I possible, I would take them for a RUN, with me being the leader. At the beginning of the runs, the smaller one would try to nip at the other one's neck, but I'd pull her leash and run faster. The two girls settled into a running pattern and I used my voice to reaffirm the good behavior. I'd also stop along the route with milk bones, tell them "TREATS", and to give them both a chance to socialize and eat along the way. It seemed to work, because after 2 days of snarking, they returned to being better in the house.
Stay patient. 
i have 2 boys Jimmie and Jasper and 1 female. Gracie, Jimmie is 5 and the Jasper is 2. we have had issues with boys trying to establish dominance over each other, both are fixed. it seems there will be a squirmish and usually gracie get to the boys and breaks them up before i can reach Jasper to grab him as he will keep at it if i grab Jimmie then its all peace love and cuddling together on the couch until the next little erruption a couple of weeks later. I don't know why this happens, maybe its is a case of boys will be boys. it looks ferocious. but thank goodness no bloodshed. Good luck with your two!
Our boys took there fight to bloodshed. Not serious but enough to separate them. We have now had both neautered. It has only been one week but the older boy still growles at the eight month old. They have been separated for a week. How long before we start to introduce them back together? Keeping them separated is extreemly though.
I hate to say it, but I think it is going to be a long haul to get them back together. Usually males will "get over it" pretty quickly and go back to getting along, more ofter then bitches who never forget… (usually). But it sounds like one of your boys really has a new dislike for the other....
If you are a good leader, then you should start walks right away... best to have two people, one for each dog, unless you have done Obedience training and have good control with walking them.
yes i agree the boys do get over it sooner than the girls ( why is that), our 2 boys had to be seperated at dinner time after japser came home. thankfully that only lasted approx 2 weeks, all 3 really do get along quite well now…. it was quite an adjustment when jasper came along as he was much younger that the other 2 at the time,,,, all is well in our household...chin up it does get better...:)
Thank you for this post. I'm in a similar postition and I'm doing all you suggest except for the lead in the house. I'm glad that you have also used the rollover method in extreme times as it does have it's uses in such situations although many consider it to be cruel and useless. When I roll my dog over and he calms I tickle his stomach and believe he does not see this as an humiliating process. The oddest thing here is that the agression is directed at people and not other dogs he meets on walks. He loves the company of other dogs and howls when they leave. We're determined to get there with him.
Shock collars are never a good idea, IMO. Also, the "alpha dog" training, like that used by Cesar Milan, holding them down to show you're boss, etc., doesn't work with Basenjis. Someone I had walk my dog for a while tried this with Shaye, and the only result was that she would never want to be around her. Trying to train a basenji using force is counterproductive, from what I've seen. Treats, bonding and distraction - when anything works, those work best for mine - usually - of course, sometimes nothing works if she's in a mood.
I agree with you, but once again I'm not talking about training, I'm talking about agressive behaviour that is unexpected and surprising with no apparent reason. We love our dog but it's hard to carry on being bitten and not play biting either.
Hello, I am new here and have really one question. Let me give a little info. Our basenji (Harley) is almost 5 yrs of age. He has never had any aggression problems until a few months ago. It started before we got 2 new puppies (female mixed breed mutts). He actually has bitten my husband luckily on the boot but it did puncture through. He has also acted like he was going to bite me but no skin contact. I know some dogs go bad and I do NOT want to have to put him down, we have a grandchild on the way. He has never been treated badly always a good boy until 8 months ago. What I want to know is will getting him neutered make this aggression go away? tia
Our basenji (Harley) is almost 5 yrs of age. He has never had any aggression problems until a few months ago. It started before we got 2 new puppies (female mixed breed mutts).
I know some dogs go bad and I do NOT want to have to put him down
Dogs do not "go bad." Really. I promise.
Get a full medical check up, particularly have a full thyroid panel sent off to reputable place (ie not your vet!) like Michigan. Yes, get him neutered. YES, protectiveness and issues over the new pups could be a contributing cause (please tell me they are both spayed because you need to do that IMMEDIATELY if not!!!!).
But please, do not think a dog "goes bad" and had to be destroyed like outdated jug of milk. If this dog was good for 5 yrs, then his health or things you changed in the environment need to be checked, tweaked and fixed.
Dogs do not "go bad." Really. I promise.
Get a full medical check up, particularly have a full thyroid panel sent off to reputable place (ie not your vet!) like Michigan. Yes, get him neutered. YES, protectiveness and issues over the new pups could be a contributing cause (please tell me they are both spayed because you need to do that IMMEDIATELY if not!!!!).
But please, do not think a dog "goes bad" and had to be destroyed like outdated jug of milk. If this dog was good for 5 yrs, then his health or things you changed in the environment need to be checked, tweaked and fixed.
Thank you for your reply. The puppies will get spayed as soon as old enough. But he did go after one of them. Although he does not act like this all the time, maybe a couple times a week. I am not sure we can afford a thyroid check up until after the holidays. But that is something I will save for. Thank you again
First of all, he should be neutered, while it is NOT a cure all to aggression, it will help. Second, have you discussed his behavior with his breeder? Third, if you got the puppies a few months ago, then I would assume they are between 5 and 7 months old? Certainly old enough to be spayed. And if they are not and he is not neutered, you are pretty close to a window that they will come in season.
How does he interact with the puppies? The fact the he went after one could just be an adult teaching a puppy proper manners.
What was the interaction when he bit your husband? And tried to bite you? Was there a warning before hand (growl)…
we just got the puppies around 3 weeks ago. They are about 2 months old maybe younger. they were left on road. He gave no warning growls, just growl bite. I went to play with him like normal and he went off on me. For my husband, just walking past to sit down. We can't get a hold of his breeder. We tried yrs ago when we wanted another basenji. he never bit until yesterday and the pretend bite was last week. Most of the aggression I believe has only been while getting him up off the couch for bedtime. or having him move off the chair so we can sit down. Those are the only times he's been cranky. Otherwise he is a great dog. He plays well with both puppies and I know he is teaching them. I really don't know why he went after the one. We did move a few months ago to a farm if that might have any effect. he gets plenty of exercise. he is also great with the cat. I would have to say it started right before the move.
It was probably the mood change and packing that could have caused it. Animals def feel when things are about to happen. Maybe you packed up one of his favorite toys and he's taking his frustration out? LOL
The fact it started before you moved might indicate medical issues, or your stress at moving. The crankiness at being made to move can be dominance, it can be medical problem making moving an issue, it can be a lot.
Really first step is a complete medical.
As for going after the pup, if no injuries occurred, then the intent was correcting not hurting because he definitely could have killed it.
