Skip to content
Basenji Forums
  1. Home
  2. Behavioral Issues
  3. Fear Aggression

Fear Aggression

Behavioral Issues
  • kdubs518K

    My 3 year old B-mix, Pippin, has extreme fear aggression. I rescued her from a shelter when she was 10 months old. I have no clue what happened to her before I got her. I'm almost 100% sure she was abused. (I noticed when I roll up the newspaper to put it back in it's plastic sleeve, Pippin will cower and hide as much as she possibly can. It is enough to break your heart.) She is mostly aggressive towards strange men/teen boys and children.

    Her aggression first showed itself when our roofer came into our house to ask us a question. Pippin was barking like mad, then quickly bit the man and ran off. In her defense, if she can have one, the man did just walk into the home without being let in. A few months later, my husband and I took Pippin to a family reunion/picnic at a park. Some children ran past Pippin and Pippin lounged for them. It was a pretty scary situation. We immediately took her home. We were thinking it was too much stimulation for her to begin with and running children put her over the edge. Also, whenever my husbands cousin comes to visit, Pippin will nip at their shorts while they walk. Going to the vet is also an ordeal. Pippin has to muzzled every time.

    The vet recommended positive reinforcement training with strangers at a distance and slowly moving in. I've started clicker training with her on basic commands and it is going fantastic. But we haven't done any training involving strangers yet. My concern is potentially putting people at risk of getting bitten, especially children.

    I'm just not sure what to do. Does anyone have any tips or tricks to overcome fear aggression? Thanks so much!

    0
  • AJs HumanA

    Fear aggression is a tough one. Your vet is right in suggesting positive reinforcement and work on Pippin's fears. Perhaps while out and about, watch closely for signs her energy level is ramping up and immediately try to distract her somehow…like when she tenses up, have her "sit" for a minute with attention on you and treat her whatever is appropriate for your program when she relaxes. (food reward or affection reward)

    What other breed is she mixed with? If it is a herding breed like Sheltie or Corgi, it may be very difficult to keep her from "herding" children. My mom had a Sheltie who would nip my daughter on the backs of her arms to "herd" her through the house when she was a toddler. Mom ended up having to put the dog out when we went over there so my daughter's arms wouldn't look like Swiss cheese when we left.

    She may never be entirely comfortable with strangers or children, but with patience and a caring, consistent training program, you may be able to help her find ways to deal with her negative energy. It takes as much attention to her subtle "tells" on your part as obedience on her part. Good luck with it...

    AJ's Ride:

    0
  • QuercusQ

    Where in Ohio are you located?

    Andrea Walters

    Quercus Basenjis

    NW Ohio

    0
  • S

    She might need a professional trainer to help you get the steps you need to help
    with this. Some dogs can learn to be a bit calmer, some not, but its wonderful your being so responsible for humans as well as your dog.

    Sharron Hurlbut

    BRAT, basenji rescue

    Evergreen basenji club

    Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue

    0
  • kdubs518K

    Thanks everyone…

    @AJs Human, I have no idea what she is mixed with??? When we got her from the shelter, they said she was a JRT/shepherd mix! I posted some pics of her on my introduction post. What do you think she's mixed with? I'm stumped. If I had an extra $100 laying around, I would LOVE to get a DNA test done on her.

    @Quercus, We are in Cincinnati.

    @sharronhurlbut, I'm going to try to work with her some more on my own and see how that goes. Money is kind of tight, but I'm putting some aside each paycheck to hire a trainer. :)

    0
  • AJs HumanA

    I would guess either German Shepard or Australian Cattle Dog…her muzzle looks more GSD but her body build looks more ACD. Either way, they are both herding dogs. One of the methods herders use to move livestock is nips at the heels of the stragglers to keep them in line. Regarding the nips at the kids' shorts, she may be trying to herd them. I would try to discourage the behavior if possible just on the off chance she misses the clothes and gets skin instead. Good luck with it...

    AJ's Ride:

    0
  • P

    As AJ says it's important to stop the nipping if possible as this can only get worse if not corrected. Persevere with the clicker trainig and as she becomes accomplished she'll gain confidence and this could conquer her fear. Don't rush things though - be patient with her. It's so horrible to think that someone may have been hitting her and who can blame her for her reactions to people?

    0
  • agilebasenjiA

    I'm going to say (surprise!)
    Read Control Unleashed.
    if you can find a CU class, do that.
    Games (in CU) Look at That!, Off Switch, Mat work, Whiplash turn, Doggy Zen
    pay close attention to what is said about Threshholds.
    found at
    dogwise dot com
    cleanrun dot com

    0
  • kdubs518K

    Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I know I have a lot of work ahead of me, but she is definitely worth it. I'd do anything for my best friend!

    Oh! I think we're having some progress with her. My neighbor's granddaughter is staying the week. The first few days Pippin would bark at her anytime she got near the fence. I had the girl just sit at the fence and I would treat Pip every time she looked at the girl or walked near the fence. Eventually I had Pip eating treats out of her hand!!! (I told the girl not to try to give her treats or pet her unless I'm outside, of course. Just in case Pippin would get spooked.) But I'm super excited about this progress!

    0

Suggested Topics

  • 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
  • T

    Aggression and leash problems?

    Behavioral Issues
    10
    0 Votes
    10 Posts
    3k Views
    BasenjimammaB
    How interesting. Makes me want to keep my eyes open when we go to the dogpark..
  • Robin_n_JackR

    Fear of dogs

    Behavioral Issues
    14
    0 Votes
    14 Posts
    6k Views
    C
    My son has been afraid of animals his entire life. We didn't know it until we were visiting a friend when he was 1 year old and their cat WALKED across the room. He freaked out. From that point on he was afraid of any live animal, but loved stuffed animals. He is 6 now and we just got an 8 week old Basenji. We talked about it alot, (he has slowly gotten used to our friend's cat, but every time the animal made a sudden move he jolted). He was excited to get the puppy, and we sat with him while he got used to exactly what the puppy would do. It has only been 2 months and my son is so good with our dog that he is not afraid of the dogs across the street who are high strung little fluffy things that always sent him runnning and screaming into the house. When I asked him about it he said he wasn't afraid now because he had one now. We waited to get a dog until both of our kids were older and could handle some responsibility. It was the best decision we made. He is still uncomforable around large dogs and other large animals, but has made remarkable progress. I don't know how your nephew will respond, but as he gets older he may realize that he has some control over the animals and that may help. Good luck!!!
  • D

    Aggression

    Behavioral Issues
    7
    0 Votes
    7 Posts
    3k Views
    tanzaT
    And sometimes you have to "push" and/or demand for the complete test that is not usually done by the labs that your Vet might use…
  • KebasmomK

    Fear Factor

    Behavioral Issues
    6
    0 Votes
    6 Posts
    2k Views
    KebasmomK
    Well, we tried having my son put down the food for Spence and he eventually ate it. We are making some progress, thanks to Osca Mayer again. Later Spence actually came and took a piece of hot dog from my son's hand! I think things will be fine. It will just take time.
  • BanditB

    Help with aggression

    Behavioral Issues
    8
    0 Votes
    8 Posts
    4k Views
    L
    Some basenjis seem to have particular kinds of dogs they don't like. My Abbey is best friends with a rottweiller, a black lab, and a dalmation, but she hates golden retrievers! What do they go by, coat color?? She goes after anything that moves at the vet's though. My first basenji many years ago, Pumpkin, climbed trees to get after squirrels, and fences were no problem either.