Skip to content

My basenji turned on me :(

Behavioral Issues
  • I adopted my 7 year old Basenji in October of '08. She has never been violent or anything of that nature. She has always followed me around, and will lay right on top of me and sniff my face and lick my arms. She is really the sweetest thing. Well last night, we were laying on the couch, and I was petting her behind her ears like I ALWAYS do, and my boyfriend came and sat on the couch at my feet. Red started to growl, then she lunged and bit me right in the face. At first I thought she was protecting me when she was growling, but she turned and bit ME. She has only been around my boyfriend maybe 5 times, and she is with me every single day. WHY in the world would she do this? She's been to the vet a few times, and everything has checked out fine. Any answers or suggestions?

  • Redirected aggression. You usually see it when dogs are on leash or on the other side of a window and will lash out at the dog standing next to them when they are upset by something.

  • Makes sense. Thanks.

Suggested Topics

  • Basenji and Baby

    Behavioral Issues
    5
    0 Votes
    5 Posts
    5k Views
    tanzaT
    You need to get a professional to come to your home and observe... and give suggestions
  • 0 Votes
    1 Posts
    2k Views
    No one has replied
  • Basenjis that can't stand other basenjis

    Behavioral Issues
    7
    0 Votes
    7 Posts
    5k Views
    wizardW
    My previous males never had an opportunity to meet other basenjis (outside their breeder kennel) so don't know if the experience with my current female is "typical" or not. The first time she encountered another, it was a tri-color older female that was a real bitch and instantly got aggressive (now whenever they see each other its "hackles up"). The first time I took her to a lure coursing event, mine was friendly enough until a little blind female came up and bit her. The second time I took her to a LGRA event, a lady came up behind us (while mine was trying to potty) with her tricolor female and her dog attacked mine. So now hackles go up any time another female comes within shouting distance.
  • My Defective Basenji!

    Behavioral Issues
    19
    0 Votes
    19 Posts
    8k Views
    BARTB
    We've had barely a dusting here but its been cold enough to keep it on the grass. Mr. Annoyance is acting like its "rutting season". In, out, in, out. If I don't jump up to let him out he proceeds to pull at the blanket over my feet, or worse yet, bills/mail on the coffee table (much like teachers, bill collectors won't believe "the dog ate my check"). It's kinda fun though 'cause he's also just more playful in general right now. A couple more weeks and he'll probably hate the cold and snow like every other self respecting Basenji is supposed to….:D Silly Basenjis...don't they know their rep???:)
  • My Basenji is growling at Everyone

    Behavioral Issues
    18
    0 Votes
    18 Posts
    10k Views
    wubangaW
    ya my male is 1.5 and hardly ever lifts his leg to go, as for the growling my pup about 1 and ahalf yrs old has a similar problem hes super nice with ppl but whenever my other dog goes near a bone hes chewing or his food while hes eating he makes this viscous growling noise. actually any dog he does that to. and he also tries to be dominate over the older basenji and constantly stands over her while shes lying down like hes some big tough guy.
  • Basenji Watchdog

    Behavioral Issues
    7
    0 Votes
    7 Posts
    5k Views
    MantisM
    it is just socialization….my australian shepard was that way with men with facial hair because my dad and brother were always clean shaven....