Chloe update: We have her scheduled to be spayed next week. The vet did not do any blood work. He thinks the spaying will help and he will do the blood work-up just to make sure all is well. He says that she has taken advantage of all the love & attention that I have given her. She no longer sleeps in bed with us. I have been trying to distance myself as far as the only one giving food, treats, walks, etc. We call her name when she is asleep to try to wake her before we start moving aroung. She has still had a few episodes but we do see a little bit of a difference. A little is better than none at all. :)

Thank you to all of your replies. My husband & I discussed all of them and they were very helpful. THANK YOU !!

@tanza:

Hopefully her sire and dam were DNA tested for Fanconi, if not you might want to consider having her done. Please read about it at www.basenjihealth.org along with other Basenji health concerns

They both were and I tested Chloe just for a peace of mind for myself. All test results were great.

@sonnyboy:

This is the same problem I've been having with my basenji Sonny & its mostly been occuring with my 1 year old nephew. From the time the baby was born up until 2 months ago Sonny loved the baby…was very protective of him & always had to be right next to him when he was in the house. then all of a sudden in October he seemed to display what we thought was jealously some growling & snapping. He did it a few times with me also. Sonny's 2 1/2 and never displayed this behavior before...2 weeks ago I did take him to the vet and found out he had a bad UTI infection and also a cholesterol level on the high end of normal that points to what could be a thyroid problem. We go tonight to have a thyroid panel done.
Since being on the antibotic to clear up the the infection his demeanor has greatly improved except for with my nephew.. Now if my nephew even crawls into the room and Sonny his laying across the way on the couch he growls. This behavior is very upsetting and if it turns out not to be relating to a thyroid problem I don't know what to do about it either.

You would not believe how much my Chloe looks like Sonny. I have tried to upload picture but it is not working. I will keep trying so you can see for yourself.
We have a vet appointment for tomorrow. Maybe he can find something. But you are right. It is like she is jealous. I was thinking it was b/c she just woke up. Gives me something else to pay attention to.

@tanza:

I think it is very unusual for this to have just started out of the blue…. Where there any signs before of behavior issues?

Have you talked to her breeder? Is she spayed? Any recent medical problems?

No behavior issues at all. She "bully's" a smaller rat terrior that we have but that has been since she was a puppy. She has not been spayed. She is going through her first heat b/c I WAS thinking about getting a male sometimes this year to breed them. Not with the way she is acting though. No medical problems. I have made an appointment for the vet tomorrow though. Hopefully he can find something in blood work or something.

I have not contacted my breeder. She moved from Tennessee right after I got Chole. She is in another state now. Good idea though. I had her email address that I can see if it is still current.

@nobarkus:

First thing to check is anything going on physically. Do you notice anything different with Chloe physically? I would take her in for a vet visit and get a blood work up done. Then we'll go from there.

I did not notice anything physically until you just asked. She is going through her first heat cycle. Dont know if that would have anything to do with it or not. Several others suggest a trip to the doctor. I made an appointment and we are going in the morning.

@Patty:

Welcome to the forum.

I've never seen a rat terrier in the UK - I've noted from the forum that they seem to get on well with basenjis

Rat Terriors are hyper, jump constantaly, will lick you to death, and bark like crazy at any noise they hear. BUT as soon as my Dixie see's what the noise actually is, it usually scares her and she goes running away from it. She is really easy going and my basenji just takes control of everything. The only time they don't get along is when I give them a chew bone or something. I have learned to separate them when I do to avoid any problems

@tanza:

Welcome, where did you get Chloe if you don't mind sharing?

Not at all. Basenji's are not common in Alabama or really anywhere near me. I found her in Clarksville, Tennessee (about a 5 hour drive if you don't stop). That was a LONG day! Up there and right back in one day.

Today is the third day in a row that Chloe has woke up in a very bad mood. The first time I was sitting on the couch with her asleep beside me and my husband walked up to lean on the arm of the couch. She started growling & snapping. That was another side of her that I had never seen. The next day, she was asleep by my husband with her head on his waist. The TV remote was on his chest. My 10 year old ran up to him to grab the remote and she did the same thing to my son. The last incident was this morning when we were waking up. Chloe sleeps with me & my husband. I moved across the bed to turn off the alarm and she was totally under the covers. When I moved, she started growling and snapping again.

In a few days, Chloe will turn 1 year old. Up until 3 days ago, I have had no problems at all. I am concerned b/c this mood came on so sudden and also concerned b/c of my son.

Anyone out there with any suggestions?

Hello Everyone from Alabama! I have a brindle female named Chloe that is one year old. My husband gave her to me as a Valentine's present. Best Valentine's present I ever got. I also have a Rat Terrior that is three years old, named Dixie.