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

  • Heinz57H

    Aggressive Behavior

    Behavioral Issues
    6
    0 Votes
    6 Posts
    3k Views
    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
  • A

    Problem with Crating !!!!

    Behavioral Issues
    6
    0 Votes
    6 Posts
    3k Views
    Chealsie508C
    It's true, I've never had to even think about crating until I got Oakley. All previous breeds were no problem staying loose in the house, oak is very house destructive so that was a no go, we also went through crate phobia but at 16 months he tolerates it better than I ever imagined
  • I

    Chewing problems

    Behavioral Issues
    9
    0 Votes
    9 Posts
    5k Views
    Shaye's MomS
    @Rocky1: Basenjis chew,this s a fact of life. It might sound like a crazy thing to do,but I bite my pups back. It teaches them that I'M THE BOSS ! It has worked for me for the almost 36 years that I've lived with the little beastys. You can call me crazy,or wrong I don't care Works for me,and my dogs all respect me,and love me. Kathryn Wow, Kathryn - that's funny! I'm sure you just nibble a little. Their feet smell like Tostitos, so just wondering -does the rest of the dog taste like a snack??? LOL
  • KipawaK

    Marking problem

    Behavioral Issues
    47
    0 Votes
    47 Posts
    19k Views
    KipawaK
    @Therese: I avoid calling him dominant because that word seems to draw fire in the dog world with new training methods and I don't really know that describes what he is. Sober is also a therapy dog and exceptionally good with small children and the tiniest of dogs. He completely respects me and my husband and without much formal training is probably one of my best trained dogs. That said he (who Kipawa is very much like) is very strong willed. When Fran took Kipawa we warned her consistant fair ongoing training would give her a Sober in her house, but letting him take over or encouraging it will likely give him license to challenge situations. I think she and Darrell understand this and are doing a great job. I think continuing what they plan will be great and they will have an amazing adult dog when he is finished. Kipawa is out of a line that matures very slowly and for his health and well being we believe in his case it would be good to wait to neuter him when he is fully mature. I think the key is changing the behavior, by peeing Kipawa out (maybe only a dribble will remain as would with my boys) it will likely not cause as much embarassment or damage while the behavior is corrected. If Kipawa has his dad's bladder (which he did when he lived here) he can pee quite a lake if left to his own.Therese I am so thankful, Therese, for you and Kevin guiding us with Kipawa. As you mention Sober's peeing ability, Kipawa is definitely the same. He does have a healthy, big bladder. He gets a good pee right before we go to bed around 10:30 p.m., and upon rising at 7:30 a.m., he is not interested in going out right away to pee. He needs/wants his 'loves' in the morning. We do that 'within' our morning routine. I have a coffee first, at which time he sits with me, and after that he goes out for his first morning sniffs of the day and a pee. Then he is fed. We are using the technique of 'peeing him out', and that is really working for us. After about 4 good long leg lifts, he usually only has drops left. Then when those go, the problem of peeing on people is 'eliminated'. Kipawa is also going to be a therapy dog like his Dad Sober (meet and greet paraplegic and quadriplegic folks). He is very loving to any human he meets. We are working very hard on the 'good neighbour' requirements and we have accomplished many of them. And we have decided to leave Kipawa intact until he is fully mature. Over the last week I have spoken to and read so much information on the detriments of neutering. As Therese said, being fair and firm lets Kipawa know who the leader is. Perhaps that is a better word than dominant - just indicate your dog is a 'lead dog'.
  • kdubs518K

    Fear Aggression

    Behavioral Issues
    9
    0 Votes
    9 Posts
    4k Views
    kdubs518K
    Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I know I have a lot of work ahead of me, but she is definitely worth it. I'd do anything for my best friend! Oh! I think we're having some progress with her. My neighbor's granddaughter is staying the week. The first few days Pippin would bark at her anytime she got near the fence. I had the girl just sit at the fence and I would treat Pip every time she looked at the girl or walked near the fence. Eventually I had Pip eating treats out of her hand!!! (I told the girl not to try to give her treats or pet her unless I'm outside, of course. Just in case Pippin would get spooked.) But I'm super excited about this progress!
  • T

    Aggression and leash problems?

    Behavioral Issues
    10
    0 Votes
    10 Posts
    3k Views
    BasenjimammaB
    How interesting. Makes me want to keep my eyes open when we go to the dogpark..