Skip to content
Basenji Forums
  1. Home
  2. Behavioral Issues
  3. Hi from PA! Need Advice on personality shift during owner pregnancy

Hi from PA! Need Advice on personality shift during owner pregnancy

Behavioral Issues
  • M

    Hi All -

    Our Basenji turned three this December and has been our whole world! Basenji's have always been our favorite breed. Zi (our pup) has always been very friendly with people and dogs, he is a lover - we used to be worried that he was too much of a lover and would go off with any random person who came to show him love.

    We are expecting our first child this April and as I am starting to show more, our pup has become more and more aggressive (growling and snapping) with everyone. With strangers mostly, or friends of ours he doesn't see consistently, but he has even been snappy and growly with my husband on occasion - never with me, he is always very calm, and cuddly with me and my growing belly (it's his favorite nap spot). I am not concerned about him being rough with the baby or with me, and I am comfortable crating him if I need to when friends come to visit or see the baby, but would rather not as he is such a major part of our family. I am concerned about his major personality shift with strangers we encounter on our daily walks and who come to our house. Our routine hasn't changed any over the past few weeks to trigger anything except for my physical appearance.

    We do have a vet appointment to make sure there are no physical ailments we are missing, and have an appointment to meet with a private trainer, but since this is such a unique breed I have a hard time trusting trainers who don't have specific Basenji experience (not a huge Basenji population in my area).

    Any thoughts or suggestions? Has anyone had a similar experience with this? Thanks to all!

    0
  • DebraDownSouthD

    First, congratulations on the new baby.

    Second, a contributing issue is simply that your dog has now hit maturity. Sometimes behaviors come out that weren't evident before. Is he neutered? If not, it may help some even at this age.

    Finally, your dog may very well be responding to pregnancy hormones and into protection mode. It isn't uncommon, but needs addressing, as you know. Some of the Nothing In Life is Free programs (K9Deb is excellent: http://k9deb.com/nilif.htm ) can help reset his mentality that it is NOT his job to make decisions about who can visit, your husband's movements, etc. It would be very helpful if you can have him doing all the feeding, most of the petting/grooming/letting in and out when he is home.

    Work on the leave it command, and look at me. Practice a LOT at home, then use them when visitors come or you go out if he even thinks about acting up. Mary Woodward's training lessons are so easy to follow it will make you feel faint. http://www.clickerlessons.com/index.htm

    I am sure others will respond, but the forum was down a bit so they may not notice the new threads as you have to look in other places now.

    Debra

    0
  • tanzaT

    Please make sure that you have a FULL thyroid panel done

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

    0
  • K

    Agree with Debra: apart from any medical issues, it looks like he is protecting the new life. Cute as it may be, it's not his job. Your husband should step up to the plate and take first position in a clear way. All the best!

    0

Suggested Topics

  • thunderbird8588T

    Help, we need advice re training classes please

    Behavioral Issues
    47
    0 Votes
    47 Posts
    19k Views
    thunderbird8588T
    Helena, we still have a long way to go with Kwame but i feel more relaxed about him now. The support from people has helped along with the advice. It was such a relief not to go to classes with him on saturday, i felt like a load had been lifted off my shoulders. I guess i felt we should keep going because Malaika has done so well with them. It took a while to become apparent that the enviroment was wrong for him. Kwame and Malaika do try to avoid having the leaders on and occasionaly on the walk will try to wipe them off on our legs ;) however i feel they are worth persevering with as the effect is so dramatic and our walks are transformed. I am keeping the harness in mind though if neccasary, it's good to know there are options.
  • W

    New foster Sophia need some advice

    Behavioral Issues
    64
    0 Votes
    64 Posts
    19k Views
    G
    nope! not at all. :)
  • TuckerVAT

    Need Home for Basenji

    Behavioral Issues
    113
    0 Votes
    113 Posts
    49k Views
    nomrbddgsN
    Do you have elder care down there? We have a sort of day care up here for seniors, depending on where you live, you have can supported care.
  • BuanaB

    My pregnancy

    Behavioral Issues
    123
    0 Votes
    123 Posts
    57k Views
    R
    It is amazing thing which is happen to you. Ya, every female has mommy feelings. And I am sure your your baby also love pat animals too much. Pat will take care of your baby.
  • etzbsederE

    Constant need of attention

    Behavioral Issues
    5
    0 Votes
    5 Posts
    2k Views
    jys1011J
    Etzbseder-you could also condition him to stay on the floor without petting him or any of your attention. You could start with 5 min petting & then set him on the floor with a YUMMY filled kong or compressed raw hide bone. Give him great treats on the floor NOT on your lap or while petting. He's got to understand that he doesn't need your attention all the time & he also gets good things when he's on his own. If you ARE home & you can't watch him can you put him in an expen near wherever you are so he doesn't feel so confined but still not getting into trouble. I do think you're crating him for the right reasons but he may not be understanding that. He's probably interpreting it as punishment…not staying safe. Hope this works for you. Good luck :)
  • etzbsederE

    B In Need of Company

    Behavioral Issues
    12
    0 Votes
    12 Posts
    3k Views
    QuercusQ
    @Barklessdog: They are like babies Sometimes you just have to tough it out and let them cry [image: dish.jpg] Cute pic! But ftr, most people don't let babies cry it out anymore :) That method has pretty much been debunked as the best way to "train" them….they need to find a way to calm themselves, not exhaust themselves! Sometimes it IS best to let a puppy cry and whine...but if it is hysterical screaming, letting it go on will not fix the problem.