Skip to content
Basenji Forums
  1. Home
  2. Behavioral Issues
  3. Random aggression problem

Random aggression problem

Behavioral Issues
  • shep_18S

    ok this might be a long thread so bare with me here lol My basenji shep is showing some weird behaviors, and frankly i cant figure out why hes doing them so im seeing if anyone on here has had, or does have this same problem.

    He seems to have alot of weird aggression issues. I got him from a rescue when he was about 1 and a half years old (they found him as a stray) we have another dog as well, his name is lucky and hes a sheltie…so ill start with the dog aggression issues. Lucky is a really submissive dog but gets mad when cornered. Sometimes him and shep will play and get along like everything is fine and sometimes shep will go after him for no reason. Lucky could just be walking past shep or walking down stairs or up stairs and shep will growl at him or snap at him...and its totally random sometimes he will and sometimes he wont. Thats what i dont get. (lucky was here before shep for the record) When we go to the dog park hes agressive with some dogs and loves to play with other random dogs

    Now for the aggression towards people issues. (I know basjenjis have issues with strangers and things like that( but this is within our family. Shep is highly protective of me. Right now its only me and my mom living here, but when we first got shep it was my mom my sister my brother and me. Shep hates my sister and is indifferent towards my brother. whenever im sitting somewhere (like the floor, my bed, the couch) shep is always there sitting next to me. (not on my bed or the couch but sitting next to it) and he gets mad when someone gets to close to me alot of the time. He growls at my mom alot of the time when hes just lying around for no reason. My sister just came home from college and is staying with us and ever since then hes been pretty antsy. She grabbed him by the collar the other day and he bit her (that was her stupid mistake) and he has bit my mom before too. I just dont understand any of his behavior. He even tried to bite me the other day. Sometimes he is subbmissive towards me and sometimes hes not.

    Can anyone help me out here? How do i discipline him? I know you not suppose to use the crate so what do you do when they are bad??

    0
  • shep_18S

    oh and our other dog is a male who isnt neatured and shep IS neatured.

    0
  • agilebasenjiA

    sounds like resource guarding. i haven't read it, but if i were you, i'd try a booklet called Mine!

    http://www.amazon.com/Mine-Practical-Guide-Resource-Guarding/dp/0970562942

    0
  • MacPackM

    Are you able to take Shep to obedience classes? Besides resource guarding (you are the resource) he sounds dominant and he needs to learn that you are the leader and there to protect him, not the other way around. My boys are neutered and usually dislike intact males!

    Good luck, a big dog that is aggressive to you and your family is not a good thing.

    Anne in Tampa

    Chipley, Missy & Lucky

    Topper, Nicky & Eddie in the clouds

    0
  • S

    Yes, he needs to get into a gentle obedience class and you need to work with him on bonding and bounderies.
    How much exercise does he get?
    Most young dogs, no matter what breeds, need at least one hr walk 2 times a day.
    Good luck.
    Let us know how it goes.

    Sharron Hurlbut

    BRAT, basenji rescue

    Evergreen basenji club

    Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue

    0
  • shep_18S

    He gets alot of exercise, so i know thats not the problem. Ive taken him to obedience classes and he did fine…is there a specific kind of obedience class for this type of problem?

    0
  • shep_18S

    and another annoying problem…when anyone comes to hug me, he runs up and starts humping my leg...is that him saying "shes mine" ....?

    0
  • tanzaT

    @shep_18:

    and another annoying problem…when anyone comes to hug me, he runs up and starts humping my leg...is that him saying "shes mine" ....?

    I assume he is neutered? And if so, yes that would be dominance towards you… If not, I would suggest neuter .... and even if not neutered that behavior most times would be considered dominance and resourse guarding

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

    0
  • shep_18S

    yes, he is neutered. How much would it help the problem if i get our other dog neutered too? and another thing, when a dog shows his belly isnt that a submissive behavior? because he does that…i just dont get it O.O

    0
  • tanzaT

    @shep_18:

    yes, he is neutered. How much would it help the problem if i get our other dog neutered too? and another thing, when a dog shows his belly isnt that a submissive behavior? because he does that…i just dont get it O.O

    I would get the other neutered, as unless you are a breeder there is no reason to keep in-tact (yes I know that this is a taboo subject for those not in the US)

    And as far as showing belly, depends on the situation. Sounds to me like a behaviorist would be a good solution to bring into your home and see the situation.

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

    0
  • shep_18S

    where do you find a behaviorist? is that expensive?

    0
  • dmcartyD

    Couple of things: First have his Thyroid Checked. I am not one that thinks thats the answer to every things - but it is easy to test and is a quick fix if that is the cause.

    I don't think I can post a link here but if you go to my icon and click on my info there is my website - on the basenji info page - there is a link to Basenji Thyroid info.

    On the off chance that I can post a link here it is: http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com/Thyroid.htm

    Second - I am also in MN and would be happy to help you specifically if you want someone that is 'basenji savy' to give him a look see.

    0

Suggested Topics

  • M

    Aggressive issues

    Moved Behavioral Issues
    18
    1 Votes
    18 Posts
    9k Views
    BigVB
    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.
  • I

    Crate Problem

    Behavioral Issues
    13
    0 Votes
    13 Posts
    7k Views
    S
    Yesterday it was three poops on the morning walk :-)
  • I

    Walking Problems

    Behavioral Issues
    4
    0 Votes
    4 Posts
    1k Views
    I
    I am not sure what kind of harness I have and can't find a 'proper' name for it online. This link shows what it looks like although I didn't purchase it from this site: http://www.dog.com/item/adjustable-nylon-harness-black/ . I have double checked and it isn't pinching or pulling them in anyway. It is not really tight, but is a little snug so I don't loose control of them when I am walking them. One dog I have had for awhile and at first she liked it (I actually got it on loan from the rescue where I got her to use and had to end up buying it from them because she got out of all other leads that I had for her - think she just wanted that particular one). After being fine with it for around a month she no longer wants to put it on. I have to lure her into it and put it over her head…once it gets over her head she will sit and lift her leg nicely for you to put it all the way on. The new dog hasn't been here two weeks yet and acts like her about the harness - he too liked it when he came, but now no. Any help would be great - I really lilke the harness because I feel like I am not hurting them too much, can keep control on them, and feel secure that they won't get loose using the harness. I have seen the one's that go all the way around them with the harness clip at the top but not sure if it would be safe to use - they could probably escape? Not sure what to do from here..but they have to walk and will have to use a lead. The gentle leader I feel will not keep him or her secure. I live in an apartment but we are around a lake with tons of land and wild animals. They are always trying to track something and with the surroundings so inviting they will be gone if they get loose. TristA
  • L

    Food aggression

    Behavioral Issues
    11
    0 Votes
    11 Posts
    5k Views
    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.
  • P

    Sudden aggression!

    Behavioral Issues
    32
    0 Votes
    32 Posts
    14k Views
    tanzaT
    Kept us up to date on how it is going with Pongo!
  • SarahRNS

    Leash aggression??

    Behavioral Issues
    13
    0 Votes
    13 Posts
    5k Views
    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!:)