Random aggression problem

[shep_18]

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??

[shep_18]

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

[agilebasenji]

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

[MacPack]

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.

[sharronhurlbut]

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.

[shep_18]

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?

[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" ....?

[tanza]

@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

[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

[tanza]

@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.

[shep_18]

where do you find a behaviorist? is that expensive?

[dmcarty]

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.