Skip to content
Basenji Forums
  1. Home
  2. Behavioral Issues
  3. Vet aggression

Vet aggression

Behavioral Issues
  • RHicksR

    every since Rocky got examined internally by the vet after being hit by a car he is absolutely aggressive to the vet. We can get him there but he goes absolutely demon voice and growling when we get there. They gave us medicine to give him….. 1 and 1/2 pills didn't work. They gave us 2 and 1/2 pills.... that didn't work. He got the muzzle off as soon as he saw where we were. I am SO frustrated. We asked the vet what the next step was and he said there wasn't one. He couldn't get close enough to give him a shot.

    0
  • lvossL

    Does this behavior only happen at the vet? Is it specific to the vet office where he was treated after being hit by a car?

    A behaviorist may be able to help since it sounds like he will need to be worked with to help him get to a point where he can go to the vet again.

    0
  • RHicksR

    it is not the same vet…. it is any vet. we have moved and it has happened at the 2 vets we have tried.

    0
  • tanzaT

    Any chance that you have a moblie vet in the area that would come to your house? Do you know what they gave him? (the pills)

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

    0
  • S

    My friend Jean Skaggs suggest you set up good visits to the vet.
    Contact the desk staff and see if they will do the following.
    Let you know when the times are usually "slack"…then you drop off some yummy treat, diced chicken, nuked hot dogs, cheese, just yummy treats...
    Bring you boy in, the staff gives him treats and then you leave.
    Once he is ok in the office, see if the vet tecs will do this in the back treatment rooms.
    Right now, you boy sees vet as pain...and its totally understandable...so, now you must make the vet the disneyland of the basenji world...
    That is my advice.

    Sharron Hurlbut

    BRAT, basenji rescue

    Evergreen basenji club

    Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue

    0
  • lvossL

    I would probably add that if his growling in the parking lot before you actually even get in the building, if you can park somewhere where you can then walk him to the parking lot and give treats for just getting near the vets office. Then once he is comfortable just being outside the office then do as Sharron posted and work on just getting him comfortable in lobby, etc. It will probably take lots of small steps.

    Also, as Pat suggested a mobile vet that can come to you that may also be a way to go.

    0
  • RHicksR

    good advice. thanks. he is actually fine until the back office. i think it is the metal table.. crazy as that might sound

    0
  • tanzaT

    Not crazy at all…... the metal table... and maybe what you can do is have your vet's office let you take him back there... just give treats and leave.. don't even put him on the table... or cover the table with a blanket/towel...

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

    0
  • MacPackM

    Take a small rubber backed rug, like a bathroom rug, to put on the metal table, then it won't slip and he will have good footing, and the smell of home to comfort him. Combined with all of the above positive reinforcement and lots of 'drop in' vet visits.

    Anne in Tampa

    Anne in Tampa

    Chipley, Missy & Lucky

    Topper, Nicky & Eddie in the clouds

    0

Suggested Topics

  • R

    Aggressive behaviour out of the blue

    Behavioral Issues
    14
    0 Votes
    14 Posts
    1k Views
    tanzaT
    @jengosmonkey - I mostly agree with you but you had a bit of a different situation because you got Logan as an adult.... sort of like a stranger that is now feeding that boy.... so you did the right thing for the process of taking in an adult. The result of you laughing at him and then moving him was the right thing as you didn't take him serious or freeze up... you just let him know that was your spot and he needed to share! Good job
  • Heinz57H

    Aggressive Behavior

    Behavioral Issues
    6
    0 Votes
    6 Posts
    3k Views
    NemoN
    A way to do what Debra is suggesting in a game format is Crate Games, which you can get on DVD. You said this happens when you are getting ready to leave. Pay attention to exactly what you are doing before you leave and then see how your dog is reacting. You should be able to pick up on the cues that your dog is picking up on. You can try changing the pattern of how you get ready and potentially remove the cue to lessen the behavior until you can build the good associations others described. visit BCOA on Facebook. http://facebook.com/basenji.org
  • Anubis's MommyA

    Aggression ONLY when in trouble…URGENT

    Behavioral Issues
    75
    0 Votes
    75 Posts
    37k Views
    Shaye's MomS
    Just another suggestion regarding the trash. Shaye used to get into ours all the time - I'd just go over the pick it all up, ignoring her completely. Eventually there was nothing there so she'd back off. Problem not really solved. Then, we bought a trash can with a lid that opened when you step on a lever on the bottom. She figured out how to step on the lever. So, we turned the trash bucket around, she couldn't get to the lever, and couldn't lift the lid, and the problem went away. Just a suggestion - and be sure to get a heavy one. I also agree with everyone who has said Cesar Milan's methods are about the exact opposite of how to train a Basenji. They just don't care enough what you think when they want to do something, and coming on strong with them triggers aggression. Distraction and showing them something they might want more works best for me. When that does not work, the squirt bottle has saved many many confrontations.
  • wizardW

    Bedtime aggression

    Behavioral Issues
    21
    0 Votes
    21 Posts
    8k Views
    youngandtiredY
    Sahara never gets grumpy when she has to move or I move her myself. When she was a puppy I always tried to get her use to being moved, and I just couldn't keep my hands off of her when she was sleeping. Just like a sweet little baby, I just had to sweet talk her and rub her, she looked so sweet and lovable. I still have a had time leaving her alone, hubby too when she is sleeping. She is great, when she is sleeping in my lap and I have to get up, I just say, "Sahara, Mommy has to get up". She immediately gets up and moves and goes to lay down in her bed or in the guest room where it is usually nice and dark (no lights on). I read on here when she was a puppy to get her use to being moved when she was sleeping and I thank this forum for that. I took the advice and Sahara is all the good for that. She still growls and puts my wrist in her mouth when I get in my car, she hates to see me leave. I am still working on this behavior, hope the water bottle stops it for good.:D
  • SarahRNS

    Leash aggression??

    Behavioral Issues
    13
    0 Votes
    13 Posts
    6k 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!:)
  • P

    Sudden Aggressive Behaviour

    Behavioral Issues
    8
    0 Votes
    8 Posts
    3k Views
    P
    We have already started the positive reinforcement. My 12 year old daughter is very good with him, and she feeds him in the morning. He is always fed in his crate, and we always thought it was cute and funny that as we were putting the food in his dish he was crawling underneath us to get to it. That changed last night. When I was putting water in his dish I made him wait until I had finished. He was trying to drink it through the bars as I poured it. My hubby and daughter have both read the article I printed out. I think Paige will better follow it as my hubby is very softhearted and all our dogs run our life because he simply can't dominate them.