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Aggressive Behavior

Behavioral Issues
  • dmeyD

    That makes sense, so What should you do?

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  • S

    Respect the growl.

    Sharron Hurlbut

    BRAT, basenji rescue

    Evergreen basenji club

    Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue

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  • P

    I agree aboiut the growl and agree with Quercus about people who try to hard and just upset the dog more. I know that some people take it personally if a dog doesn't like them and see it as a slight - they then work overtime to persuade the dog to respond to them with the opposite effect. It's possibly human nature. However I'm not sure that they would behave the same way to a human!

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  • QuercusQ

    Ideally you recognize the problem immediately, and work to change the dog's association with the trigger. The best way to do that is (in really simple terms) to feed the dog when in the presence of the trigger. But the trick is start to reward the dog before he crosses his anxiety threshold and starts to growl. As with any behavior you don't wish to see in your dog, you try to keep the behavior from happening. This is a really basic explanation of a rather complex training exercise. Anyone wishing to accomplish it should either check out the books mentioned above, and/or contact a trainer with experience in behavior modification using positive training methods.

    Andrea Walters

    Quercus Basenjis

    NW Ohio

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  • nomrbddgsN

    Add to that Andrea, sometimes, there are just people that dogs do not like. Just like people, dogs have different personalities and quirks. That doesn't mean he should be biting, it just means he doesn't like them and may always not like these people and they may need to stay out of his 'space'.

    Arlene, the Basenji Brats with the Boxenji![](images/smilies/biggrin.png "Big Grin")

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  • Sanuye_ZontaS

    Why have the thyroid checked if they bite?
    Bisa who will be 4 yrs old Christmas Day will growl, raise those hairs along her back, and show her teeth; sometimes tho she just 'goes after' whoever/whatever is irking her if they move too fast [ie: the GKs are playing with each and get too close to where she is laying].
    Bisa liked our oldest son's mini beagle when Ginger was alive; got along great BUT she does NOT like the full bred AKC Australian Shepard pup they now have [now 8 mos old and she still goes after it!].
    Bisa also growls and snaps at our grandkids [also see note above]. She has always been like this but it seems to be getting worse, hence my interest in doggie daycare and the suggestion of the thyroid being tested.

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  • tanzaT

    Behavior or change in behavior can be a sign of Thyroid problems. It is not a "cure all", but a full thyroid panel can determine if that might be the sourse of the problem. If they are not feeling well, then that obviously can change their behavior.

    And have you talked to your girls breeder about her behavior?

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

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  • DebraDownSouthD

    Exactly Pat. Kathy Diamond Davis, writer and trainer, had a dog who was very aggressive. Fought over thyroid meds because she was only borderline, found a new vet, put her on it and got a new dog. It isn't usually that dramatic but sometimes it can make the difference.

    Debra

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  • P

    tanza how much does a thyroid panel useually coast?!

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  • wizardW

    Cost of thyroid panel depends on your vet. I had one done on my first basenji and it was $50 about 15 years ago.

    One thing (actually two things) I've noticed about basenjis is 1. they don't like people crowding around them (this seems to be a big issue for mine) and 2. they don't like strangers putting their hand out to pet the top of their heads. I always tell visitors (new or old) to ignore the dog until everyone is settled down and I insist any children first hold out their hands so the dog can give it the smell test (I tell the kids the dog needs to smell if they have good or bad hands) and that petting should be under the chin until the dog says its okay to touch elsewhere. The kids seem to learn better than adults - more than once I've heard the neighborhood kids tell their friends the rules as we're coming up to them.

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  • P

    the only thing is i have only seen him aggressive towards dobermans, american native huskys, and some labs. and ( always) towards pit bulls, & bull dogs!. i understand the doberman because he got attacket by one in the park!, but i stoped it before it got bad!.but kids and other people i haven't had any problem with!, but idid noteist that they dont like big crowds around them!.

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  • srjeeperS

    @davcoz:

    there are some people that he just does not like.

    These people tend to be the type that make my wife and I uneasy.

    Any ideas about this?

    **If these folks make you and your wife uneasy. Then why wouldn't you expect the same reaction from your B?

    He's lettin everybody know what he's feelin and your not sayin!

    :rolleyes:**

    **Peanut/Tucker/Zander/Thing's Pop!

    Peanut & Zander wait at the Bridge..**

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    I don't want to sound personnel but if you are in control why does he keep showing aggression to other intact dogs. By taking him away from the other dog is not teaching him not to be aggressive . He may see you as boss but he wants to be second in charge and see,s all other intact dogs as a threat to his position. Don't be to proud to use a muzzle , and as I said take out to mix with intact dogs . As he can't hurt them and will soon relize,s this you need to stand up and let him know your displeasure using voice and physical presence and a small water pistol as he will hate being squirted. You should find the water pistol works a treat. I would do this every few days until his stops the aggressive behaviour , then I would try without the muzzle but always keep the water pistol with you and let him see it as he will remember what happens when he acts up. This is a method I have used to help mates control their pig dogs . I am by far an expert and are always prepared to Liston to others thoughts as this is how I learn.
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    TimesthemythT
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  • Heinz57H

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    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
  • 2

    Aggressive Behavior as they get older?

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    MacPackM
    I agree with all the above. My oldest at 15 has spine issues and has been on rimadyl low dose for about a year with great results, he had pain before, but has had a very good year. Eddie (11) is on thyroid meds, he was a cranky-pants a couple of years ago and after thyroid meds, is a happier dog. A vet visit is in order to figure out what has caused his change, 11 is still pretty young.
  • L

    Food aggression

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    QuercusQ
    @JazzysMom: Let me ask you this, Pat {and all}….. I've always fed my dogs separately, esp. since Keoki came into the picture because he will scarf his food and run to see if he can get what the others have. I don't crate them, but they are fed in separate rooms which puts them about ten feet away from one another. Keoki has learned NOT to hover over the other dogs, but he does kind of watch and wait for either of them to finish and then he runs over to lick their bowls. I don't have a problem with that, as they all run from bowl to bowl at the end of the meals, licking whatever {icky} they can find there. It's funny because they all get the same food. Lately, in the mornings only, Jazz won't eat UNTIL Keoki finishes and and then she will growl and ruuuuun for her bowl. So, the last few days I have put her bowl near his {as an experiment}-- w/in maybe 2 feet -- and she will immediately eat while he does. He eats faster, and it's almost as if she slows down when she knows he's finished. She picks up one piece of food at a time to carefully chew it, with the occasional quiet growl to remind him that it is hers. What is up with that? Honestly…sounds like a fight in the making to me. Eating faster is the first level of resource (in this case food) guarding. She may be eating slower for any number of reasons...the first one I thought of was a calming signal to him? I doubt she is trying to tease him...but she may be trying to make a point...mine, calm down, mine, calm down... These kind of things tend to escalate, so IMO, I wouldn't even experiment with it. Why not feed them separately, like with doors in between? It has got to be less stressful for the dogs if they don't have to worry if the other dog is going to bully them for their food...or on the other hand, if they can bully the other dog.
  • SarahRNS

    Leash aggression??

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    basenjibratzB
    @Quercus: That sounds ideal! I do love the head collars…the ONLY drawback is so many dogs have fits when they wear them. But the control is awesome, particularly for reactive dogs. Glad it is working for you! Oh yes, Talker had a fit when he was younger and I tried the collar. I gave up because I felt so bad for him. I don't know what changed this time–whether I was calmer or he mellowed out or what, but he accepted the halti this time around and I'm loving it. There were so many times that he would be so anxious to be out walking that getting him to stop pulling was tiresome and the walks were not enjoyable. We were constantly stopping and starting and stopping and starting to re-adjust ourselves. Now, we just walk. Loving the halti!:)