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New aggressive behavior toward strange kids

Behavioral Issues
  • K

    We need some help/advice. We are having issues with Harley (our BRAT rescue B) being aggressive/growly toward people when they come to our house. This is a new thing that has developed and we just can't figure it out. It scares me because it seems like he does it more toward kids that come over (esp. kids who have animals & so have that smell on them). His hackles go up, the other day he sort of snapped at one of the kids' friends when she came in the door and today we had someone come over and I was holding his collar when they came in the door and he snarled & was very mean about the whole thing.

    We feel like his behavior toward other dogs changed after he was attacked @ the dog park (I posted about it on the basenji forum) and I don't know if this relates to that also or what. He has NEVER shown the least bit of aggression toward our kids except for normal minor "stop doing that" sorts of warning growls (hope that makes sense).

    He seems super aggressive when they very first come in the house, then if we keep on him (holding his collar, CLOSELY monitoring contact) then we can let him go and he does pretty much ok. Although it seems like if he "forgets" they are here (like the strange kid is in another part of the house for a while) we have to start all over again. Then later, he tries to "play" with them by jumping up & nipping…but this is something he doesn't do w/our kids...it's obviously playing & reminds me of how he has played in the past with other dogs.

    Ever since the dog park incident we've been unable to have him around other dogs. He & my parents' dog (a Bichon) used to get along just fine & play but now we can't let them be around each other. That's a somewhat separate issue, as it doesn't worry me that much & is easier to control. But we have a bunch of kids and a very open home and it is impossible to limit the kids (ours & others) in our home.

    I'm so worried because obviously if he bites any children we can't keep him. I just want to get this figured out and the behavior addressed ASAP because right now when there are people over we have to keep him locked up in other areas of the house or I have to be hyper-vigilant to be sure he isn't getting aggressive toward any kids in the house.

    Do you have any ideas/suggestions? Help!!

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  • S

    Kikker, did you get my post to you that I sent off forum?

    Sharron Hurlbut

    BRAT, basenji rescue

    Evergreen basenji club

    Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue

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  • K

    Yes, thanks Sharron….I posted this at the same time that I emailed you, just wasn't sure where I'd get answers the quickest. Thank you sooo much for your quick reply. We REALLY appreciate it!!

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  • S

    It takes a bit of doing, but if you get him up for success…it will work.
    Keep in touch.

    Sharron Hurlbut

    BRAT, basenji rescue

    Evergreen basenji club

    Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue

    0

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    strange behavior

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    First, yeah they do the flip and butt in face. I see it as invitation to play/chase mostly. Kind of shaking my head here over the rest. You already have a breed known for dominance and protectiveness of property/family with the Boerboel. Basenjis (I assume you mean 6.5 not 65 years old :) ) are not known for tolerating same sex. Sometimes they do, but not a sure bet. Plus, your Boerboel is still a puppy. By age 2 or 3, that compliance with the Basenji being alpha can go down the drain at a drop of a hat. That happens, and he hasn't killed the basenji... you have to keep 2 packs running, ensuring they never have contact. Then you bring in a mixed breed... which is all a Mastador is. No way on earth to know how much it will take after the lab side or the Mastiff. AND it's another male. So now you have potentially 3 dog aggressive male dogs, with 2 of them large enough to inhale the basenji. I am not sure about the breeders who placed the Boerboel, certainly not the owners letting you bring in the Mastador. I want my male dogs to have a chance of a peaceful, unstressful life. I think the chances in your home are already approaching really low numbers, and the Mastador is going to bring that closer to zero. The safety of that poor basenji is beyond precarious. I wouldn't want those 3 males in the most experienced of homes, one already fully ready to and experienced in running separate packs. I sincerely hope you reconsider the Mastador. And no, getting a female won't help. Until the Boerboel is fully mature and you have a handle on what your pack is, adding any dog is going to up the risk of issues.
  • G

    Aggression toward small dogs

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    eeeefarmE
    @CanisBasenjius: And then there of course is your key phrase, "if the dog has been properly trained with the fence". Many are poorly trained with the fence and, IME, many are willing to run through it given a good enough reason. Just one more reason I dislike them. Gotta say, I agree with everyone else that has said, "Get a physical fence." If you had one, OP, this would never have happened. That is indeed the key phrase, and I should have emphasized it more. Of course, if a small dog teased at the fence when the confined dog was still in training, you bet an association could result! And I would agree some dogs certainly do learn to run through invisible fence. I have a friend with one of those. Two of her three (non Basenjis) never do it, one will with sufficient provocation. She knows she will get zapped, but she just runs fast and takes the punishment to get at those darn coyotes! To the original point, I don't have a handy dog example, but my friend's stallions have not learned to dislike mares in heat because they get zapped trying to get at them. They know it is the fence and they know they are going to get a jolt, but a mare flashing right by the fence is sometimes just too much temptation! They don't go through the fence, however. Gallagher has a way of changing your mind. :) However, they have no issues breeding the same mares when the fence is not in the way, and show no difference in attitude toward them and other mares that have not been close to the fence, so I would say there is no confusion there in terms of the cause of the shock. Of course, horses may be smarter than the average dog….. In the city, I think an actual physical fence is pretty much a necessity. In the country, depending on circumstances, maybe not so much.
  • ZolasMommyZ

    Showing aggression towards the husband?!?!?!

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    lvoss, thank you very much for that link. It was very informative and lots of good advice. I got carried away and read and watched other of her training hints. What a super site!
  • DaiseyDukeD

    Sudden Aggression Toward Other Dogs

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    D
    Is the Rat Terrier teaching her bad habits that she did not have before? I have found some JRTs/RTs at the dog parks to be very barky and so playful that sometimes they will not leave the other dogs alone-keep bothering them to play. Jennifer
  • Shaye's MomS

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    I had a (spayed) bitch that used to do that…...usually sniffed something, then clacked her teeth. She seemed to do it more as she got older. I had forgotten about it until I saw this thread. :) In horses it is a sign of submission. Foals do it, and usually outgrow it, but I have a 25 year old mare that will still teeth clack on occasion.......usually when she is in heat and shining up to my gelding! Go figure.....
  • youngandtiredY

    Strange behavior!!!

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    P
    I think you should go back to your vets especially as this has been happenig ever since the emergency surgery. It could just be coincidence I suppose, but if she were mine I'd want to check. As Pat says more information is needed before suggestions can be given.