Skip to content
Basenji Forums
  1. Home
  2. Behavioral Issues
  3. Basenji lab puppy aggressive

Basenji lab puppy aggressive

Behavioral Issues
  • B

    So I just adopted a basenji lab female puppy, 9 weeks old. She was in a litter of three, all girls. She rests and plays, chew toys, bones etc., but her play escalates and she wants to bite toes and fingers. We are caring and loving with her, and put her in her crate forms timeout, but nicely, not yelling and screaming. I think we are doing a number of right things, but obviously not. Please offer some suggestions. Thanks,bernie

    0
  • mixieM

    Puppies are learning bite inhibition right around this time. You should be working on teaching her the acceptable ways to play with her mouth. The good news is, it's also a good time to teach them mouth handling, and get her used to looking at her teeth, brushing her mouth, poking around her tongue, etc. Here's a good article from Karen Pryor about foundational handling for soft mouths: http://www.clickertraining.com/node/168
    There's a good set of links at the bottom of this page, too: http://www.doggonesafe.com/teach_puppy_not_to_bite

    0
  • lisastewartL

    Trog wanted to chew on my wrists and ankles till he was about 6 months old, every time he tried to chew, I put a nylabone in his mouth and indicated to him that was what he was to chew. Remember a tired puppy is less likely to get into trouble, wear her out, lots of walks and play, followed by treats and naps.

    Joe & Lisa Stewart

    Rolla, MO

    http://khursdogbed.com

    0
  • eeeefarmE

    Playtime stops when she nips at you. You can try saying "ouch" or "yelping", which may or may not get the point across, but ignore her for a brief time, then play can resume if she refrains from nipping. If she persists and won't leave you alone, a time out is a good idea, but need not last long. With repetition, she will discover it is much more pleasant when she does not nip.

    Agree, a tired pup is usually a good pup, so if you can find an acceptable activity that wears her out, that is all to the good. Chasing and play fighting games should be avoided! That said, chasing a lure (not a person) can work well for activity. A toy or plastic bag attached to a fishing line or lunge line can work well for this.

    "In order to get along with a Basenji, you have to be at least half as smart as the dog!"

    0
  • ?

    Hardest part of having a puppy I found was puppy biting, don't give up, though it does take time. I used the method eeeefarm describes plus adding in a toy to chew in place of toes and hands and be consistent and everyone should follow the same method so puppy doesn't get confused, just when you think it will never end, it stops. Remember it is normal puppy behaviour and your puppy isn't being naughty she just needs to learn from you what is acceptable. Good luck.

    Jolanda and Kaiser

    0
  • tanzaT

    Playing by mouthing is how she played with her littermates and Mom (or any other adults in the house)…. so it is totally normal... if too rough with her littermates/adults, they would yell/squeal at her... Takes time and patience to teach what is acceptable as what she is doing is normal for dogs. Will not change overnight... and likely will last till she is done teething....

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

    0

Suggested Topics

  • D

    Male basenji puppy attacking other male dogs

    Moved Behavioral Issues
    22
    0 Votes
    22 Posts
    5k Views
    J
    I'm no Basenji expert since I've only had one. And, I don't want to start a dog park argument. I'll just share my experience. Jengo LOVED running free, but he's a Basenji. Can't do that cause... cars. The dog park near our house is HUGE. A big completely enclosed lawn area the size of a football field with towering oak trees. We were OCD about keeping Jengo's vaccinations up to date. He was chipped and wore a collar with contact and rabies tags 24/7. He loved the dog park, but not all the dogs there. He hated any dog of any size that would try to dominate him in any way. He rarely instigated it, but he never tolerated it meaning regardless of size... he wouldn't back down. He also hated if another dog approached him from behind and would snap immediately. My solution was to stay near him and to keep moving. We would walk laps around the perimeter and by about the second or third lap he'd been or had checked out all the other dogs. Then things were good. If I saw that he was getting anxious I'd usually catch it before he reacted and would tell him "Easy". 9 times out 10 that was enough. I'd also make sure that he was aware of dogs in our vicinity so that he wouldn't be surprised if they came from behind. We went to the park for years. He never caught anything that I was aware of. I did pick him up and leave if there was another dog he and/or I weren't comfortable with. And, I also recall walking away before ever entering the park if there was a dog we didn't like already there. I guess my point is that part of protecting your dog and others is knowing and focusing on them without over-reacting at the same time. I don't want to set him off. But, I want to know what he's going to do before he does. You have to read him. All dogs give signals one way or another. Tune in to your dog, not the other people at the park. I liked the other people at the park, but I wasn't there for them. My focus was always on Jengo.
  • M

    Basenji Aggression Overall

    Behavioral Issues
    11
    0 Votes
    11 Posts
    4k Views
    R
    I have had 15 - 20 adult female basenjis over the years, and 2 was the age when it seemed like they became their 'true adult selves.' (spayed/neutered or not) I do not feel confident giving suggestions, just wanted you to know her age is typical for this to happen.
  • E

    Basenji aggression with smaller dogs

    Behavioral Issues
    11
    0 Votes
    11 Posts
    4k Views
    ZandeZ
    Basenjis' function in the wild is to go after small game. I expect mine to hunt (and kill if they catch them) squirrels and rabbits. Other dogs are a no-no ! Mine know I do not tolerate aggression to other dogs, regardless of their size. We are just back from a long walk in the forest where my two ran free and hunted (abortively, nothing caught) with a Cocker Spaniel. We met and chatted with lots of other dogs of all shapes and sizes and their owners . Humans stopped to chat, dogs did the normal meet, greet and sniff and there was not a single cross word. The only trainer mine have ever had is their own pack alpha - ME ! Do not let aggressive behaviour take hold. Nip it in the bud NOW.
  • J

    Getting a basenji to play with a puppy

    Behavioral Issues
    1
    0 Votes
    1 Posts
    988 Views
    No one has replied
  • M

    Basenji puppy growling when woken up

    Behavioral Issues
    15
    0 Votes
    15 Posts
    9k Views
    C
    I made sure when my girl did it, I con tinued to pick her up and say stop being so snarky and she would stop imedietely and lick me. I have a very unusual Basenji who loves to kiss and maybe that is because we kissed on her all the time from the day we got her, and whenever she got grumpy and than stopped she got loved on and kissed on. She rarely gets annoyed now because we follow through and never let her think she is the boss. So just follow through and tell her no and dont stop what you already started or she will think she is in control. I was literally a nervous owner with mine because I had heard so many stories about Basenjis and how difficult they can be, and I always had Whippets which are so laid back it is not even funny. But now I have totally gotten over it. I would get another Basenji in a minute and not think twice about it. She is the most entertaining awesome dog we have ever had. Just make sure she knows her place in the pack and love on her alot. It has worked with ours.
  • annandaelA

    Same Sex and Basenji to Basenji aggression.

    Behavioral Issues
    6
    0 Votes
    6 Posts
    5k Views
    T
    I agree with Catherine, socialization is a must, but it depends on the personality of the individual dog. When we had 4, they all slept on the bed together and ran together and rarely did we have any problems. We added a puppy and things were still going ok, just really crowded. However, one day our youngest girl decided she was all grown up and didn't want to be bossed around anymore by our 'wanna-be' alpha. Neither of them was a true alpha. We managed to defuse the situation, but a month later it happened again. The girls could never be together again. In fact, the tri developed a predjudice against all red girls after that! Both girls were terrific with people and with Basenji males and even with males and females of other breeds. I had 2 intact males, brothers, who stayed together with absolutely no problem for almost 4 years until one went to another home. They even got along during season. Terry