Skip to content
Basenji Forums
  1. Home
  2. Behavioral Issues
  3. Biting and thyroid?

Biting and thyroid?

Behavioral Issues
  • crystalncodyC

    Cody is normally people-friendly when it comes to those that he knows, and lately he has been semi-friendly with strangers upon first meeting them. Two days ago, since we finally finished Cody-proofing the backyard by fixing all the areas that we had temporarily patched up, my mother let him and Moe outside to play and whatnot, and he was off-leash. When they were both ready to come inside, Moe walked in, but Cody was still standing in the doorway. She grabbed his harness to nudge him further inside so that she could shut the door (which she had seen me do occasionally) and he bit her arm a few times, drawing blood in 4 places. She was a little shaken and wasn't sure what to do, so she put him in his kennel until I got home from work, which was about 1 1/2 hours later.

    He hadn't shown any signs of aggression before that, and hasn't since then. He seems to know that he was wrong; he walked around with his head down when I got home and let him out of his kennel, and he seems to show her more affection than before (well, his brand of affection with people besides me, which is mostly sitting at her feet, nosing/nuzzling her legs, and the like).

    What I'm wondering is if this is an isolated incident or could it be a thyroid problem? From what I've read on here it seems like with thyroid there is change in attitude/behavior that goes on for a while, not just one episode, but I may be understanding that wrong. Do issues with thyroid start like that, gradually with isolated incidents here and there, or is the behavioral change more sudden?

    0
  • wizardW

    My first basenji had thyroid problems but I never noticed any behaviorial changes.
    If you suspect this then have him tested.

    0
  • tanzaT

    Always good to rule out anything medical first… before attempting to deal with a bad behavior like you are seeing.

    How old is Cody?

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

    0
  • crystalncodyC

    I think he's about 3 years old, I'm not sure exactly because he was a rescue. I am going to get him checked out, I was just wondering how issues with thyroid show themselves and I had read on here that aggression can be associated with thyroid.

    0
  • tanzaT

    Thyroid problems can show a lot of different ways.. one thing for sure, when it is a sudden change, always best to check out the health angle first.

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

    0

Suggested Topics

  • L

    Potty and Biting

    Behavioral Issues
    25
    0 Votes
    25 Posts
    3k Views
    ZandeZ
    There should be space for another half Basenji inside the coat. It should be pliable and you should be able to feel its space between your finger and thumb if you pinch it (lightly, of course !) I measure out the kibble in the morning for the days' ration and the only treats they get are taken from that ration. They think they are getting a treat, but actually it is coming from their daily amount so no extra calories at all !
  • J

    New (adult) basenji biting

    Behavioral Issues
    13
    0 Votes
    13 Posts
    3k Views
    Sandy HovisS
    I am not gonna sugar coat this.... If you are that worried with him around new people or strangers use a soft muzzles, especially when near small children. A cloth muzzle protects you both. It’s seems to settle them down and they are unable to bite. It’s not meant to be used often, the less the better. They can drink, they can open their mouth some, but they cannot bite. I am sure that over time your B will relax with you in your home and around visitors....always fore warn strangers visiting, it might be startling to them but it is better than them getting a bite. I am at the point I use it almost never.....If we go out with my B we use it, when visiting the vet, we use it, when very young children are around we use it"........if we are walking where there is a possibility he will get a startle...I use it. I am sure there will be somebody on here that will disagree, but I do what I have to do to protect me, my dog and people around me Take this as a positive thing so that both of you can be comfortable in all situations.
  • B

    Biting

    Behavioral Issues
    26
    0 Votes
    26 Posts
    17k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    Saving money sometimes isn't the best route… a full thyroid panel gives massively more information. But a low dose won't hurt, and as Pat said, if it doesn't help, you wean off easily and done.
  • E

    Biting

    Behavioral Issues
    7
    0 Votes
    7 Posts
    4k Views
    tanzaT
    Full Vet check up is needed before anything… especially a FULL THYROID PANEL... I agree with contacting her breeder and also finding a positive reinforcement trainer as suggested
  • nobarkusN

    Thyroid problems and behavior

    Behavioral Issues
    1
    0 Votes
    1 Posts
    850 Views
    No one has replied
  • C

    Help with biting

    Behavioral Issues
    5
    0 Votes
    5 Posts
    3k Views
    D
    Hello I'm New , My Daisy Is A Biter. If You Touch Her Sometimes. She Seems Really Sensitive All The Time. She Can Be Fully Awake And Loving Than It Switches. She Has Gottin Us Good A Couple Times. I Don't Know Why She Can Turn Like That She Is A Spoiled Pooch. Do You Have Any Ideas What I Could Do.