Aloha,

Jaberi is almost 4 months old and has been getting more aggresive(bitting, jumping at face) not all the time but occasionally. I have been walking him twice a day for about an hour, since he received his last shots. This does seem to help. It is like he wants to be the Alpha role. I do the Dog Whisper technique of holding him on his side (not hard) until he seems more submissive. Sometimes it takes 3 or 4 or more times. He can be such a loving puppy…..... Its like he is a two old having a tantrum........... He is really smart Jaberi is even litter box trained , but if he is mad at me he will pee on purpose and look at me when he does it.

Any suggestions or will this past.

Mahalo, for any help

Considering his age, this really sounds to me like a young dog that does not have good boundaries. Have you enrolled in a puppy kindergarten class? These are a great way to start establishing a tool box of skills and building a relationship with your dog.

Many of us here are not fans of the Dog Whisper training methods especially the "alpha roll"… There are not many trainers that recommend this any more... as it can lead to more aggression, not less... remember when using force such as the alpha roll you can get into a position that you will not be able to win.... and that is the point... winning.... one on one competition with your dog, most of the time, people lose the contest....

Have you talked to his breeder? Or tried a behavorist?

Our boy exhibited that type of behavior too at that age. He would get really happy or excited and would jump at us and bite/nip. If you would try to push him away he would think we were playing and do it more! The biting was awful since he still had those razor sharp puppy teeth! He would even nip at your heals while walking. He bit through a pair of my jeans one day and it about sent me through the roof since they were expensive jeans!!!!
Alex and I took him to puppy classes and he would not focus. He just wanted to play and run around with the other dogs. We even went so far as to hire a personal dog trainer to come to our house and work with him. He was really stubborn. She used that technique you are talking about where you lay them on their side and hold them down. I think she did this for 40 minutes before he finally got a clue.
We had baby gates separating off sections of the house so he could not get out. One time he got into something and made a mess. We picked him up and put him on the other side of the baby gate so he could not get to us….while looking right at me he peed! It really was frustrating times with our boy.
On a positive note though....yes he is still with us and yes he is MUCH better
We used positive reinforcement training methods and anytime he would start to get crazy and want to jump or bite we would stop and walk away. He did not like it if we ignored him but he figured it out real quick.
If he bite me I would make a squeal as if I was in pain and pull my arm away. He immediately knew that I was hurting and start to lick me. We stopped pushing him away because that only would make him return back with more energy.
He really has calmed down. I use a solid firm “NO” to him and he knows to stop doing what he is doing.
We did not leave toys out for him to play with. He needed to learn that he could not have whatever he wanted. Things needed to be given and taken away so he would respect us.
Your basenji is testing you right now. Testing your limits. You need to stay as the alpha role model and not let them win.
It takes patience and eyes in the back of your head. You will get through this. At first it seems as if you are going to pull your hair out and loose your mind. We have all had that “I can’t take it anymore” moments

What age was he taken from his mom?
Do you know?

Jaberi was 2 months old when we got him.
I thought the aggression was from not getting out, but now I walk him everyday. In fact we just got back from a nice long walk and I think I pooped him out.
So instead of playing power play/with the Alpha role/ maybe seprate him for awhile like crate him. He can get worked up sometimes, not all the time but like a bratty kid. I do stay in calm/assertive role but sometimes it hard.

Jaberi will start classes May 5th I hope this helps.

I really do appreciate all the feedback. I read all the books on Basenji's and knew what I was getting into. Many explained how they can be like children, I guess I just forgot the Terrible Two's. They are a fascinating breed and he is such a loving and entertaining.

Much mahalo again.

Where in the Bay Area are you from Vanessa? I grew up in San Jose and have lived here for 4 yrs now.

Suzanne, does the Is have any type of rally or lure coursing for b's?
I have to tell you, the dogs love lure coursing…they run and come home so tired.
Getting involved with those type of activities now can help channel some of this pups energy.
Re harsh methods, or putting a dog on its side physically.
I do think this caused more need for the dog to react. Just my opinion.
I hope your able to find something that works for your basenji and you.
I can tell you care very much about this dog and helping him become the very best b he can be.
Do keep us posted.

@Jabari:

Jaberi was 2 months old when we got him.
I thought the aggression was from not getting out, but now I walk him everyday. In fact we just got back from a nice long walk and I think I pooped him out.
So instead of playing power play/with the Alpha role/ maybe seprate him for awhile like crate him. He can get worked up sometimes, not all the time but like a bratty kid. I do stay in calm/assertive role but sometimes it hard.

Jaberi will start classes May 5th I hope this helps.

I really do appreciate all the feedback. I read all the books on Basenji's and knew what I was getting into. Many explained how they can be like children, I guess I just forgot the Terrible Two's. They are a fascinating breed and he is such a loving and entertaining.

Much mahalo again.

Where in the Bay Area are you from Vanessa? I grew up in San Jose and have lived here for 4 yrs now.

I work in Downtown San Jose but Live in Sunnyvale.
Make sure to keep the crate a happy place. Otherwise crating him will only become a real pain.

I wish the islands had some kind of luring course. What I tried today was to run and walk with him. I even thought about getting one of those retactable leash and when we reach the field by my house I could switch leashes and let him have space to run around.

He really likes his crate and goes in alot by himself & I don't put him in when he has been bratty I wait a bit and I don't not leave him in long just enought hopefully to change moods.

@Jabari:

I wish the islands had some kind of luring course. What I tried today was to run and walk with him. I even thought about getting one of those retactable leash and when we reach the field by my house I could switch leashes and let him have space to run around.

He really likes his crate and goes in alot by himself & I don't put him in when he has been bratty I wait a bit and I don't not leave him in long just enought hopefully to change moods.

Still wonder, have you talked to his breeder?

I have called and left her a message & sent her an email.