Skip to content
Basenji Forums
  1. Home
  2. Behavioral Issues
  3. Benny bit the neighbor!

Benny bit the neighbor!

Behavioral Issues
  • BennyB

    I don't think it's a sexual thing… I think it's a dominant behavior. It seems like he does it to show who is boss (we got him neutered). I know that doesn't stop the urges completely though... He stopped humping since we got him neutered until recently... he doesn't do it often, but he started doing it again when he started this aggressive streak.

    0
  • QuercusQ

    @nobarkus:

    I really suspect there's a physical problem going on with Benny.

    I don't. He is resource guarding the chair, and his personal space. He may, or may not be fearful of strangers, but he certainly doesn't want them approaching him for whatever reason. He is completely overwhelmed by recent experiences regarding interactions with people.

    I think you (his owner) need to just stop for a moment, and regroup. No one should approach him except for you and whoever lives in your house right now. If someone wants to pet him on a walk say 'no, I am sorry, he is afraid of strangers' whether he is or not. And you need to 're-program' him (for lack of a better word) that it is a great thing to have people approach him, but you have to do that slowly.

    Start off dealing with the chair by teach him to be called off of wherever he is sleeping. And no one moves him physically at this point. You call his name and wave a treat around, and until he routinely jumps off the chair as soon as you call his name, then you start to fade out the treat.

    There are lots of steps involved in this training, and honestly I don't have the time and energy to write them all out here….a lot of people have mentioned some great books, and there are lots of others. When you call a behaviorist (which you should), interview him or her...make sure what they say makes sense to you. Dominating this dog is NOT going to work...you have to establish trust...if the professional that you are going to be paying doesn't talk about this, look to someone else.

    Andrea Walters

    Quercus Basenjis

    NW Ohio

    0
  • nobarkusN

    It doesn't help to rule out anything physical going on to start with. I would still have his thyroid checked just to be certain. Then go from there. Andrea is correct in that he's too overwhelmed right now. Bringing in a stranger that's holding him down on his back really makes him much worse. When I first got my my red and he was on the couch and I needed him to go out I never forced him or tried to pick him up as he would have tried to bite or fight. I always called him off and let him have some self determinism in getting him to do what I need him to do. He'd get right off the couch and go out without any battles. I would praise him right away. After a while I could pick him up because he trusted me. It takes time and patience.

    Buddy, Paolo and Dan

    0
  • BennyB

    Yeah, I'll make sure I get the thyroid checked asap. We're scheduling an appointment today. Benny had no problem letting me pick him up last night, but he didn't like it when my girlfriend and my mom tried to. He might just love them more than he does me, so that really shocked me, especially with my girlfriend (who is his mommy).

    0
  • QuercusQ

    Okay, try this school. Hopefully they are close enough to you. I have talked to Ed, and he seems to be a really great trainer…I haven't actually met him, nor observed him train...but according to their website, and the feedback I have gotten from him, I agree with their methods:

    www dot northcoastdogs dot com

    Andrea Walters

    Quercus Basenjis

    NW Ohio

    0
  • QuercusQ

    @Benny:

    Yeah, I'll make sure I get the thyroid checked asap. We're scheduling an appointment today. Benny had no problem letting me pick him up last night, but he didn't like it when my girlfriend and my mom tried to. He might just love them more than he does me, so that really shocked me, especially with my girlfriend (who is his mommy).

    It doesn't really have to do with loving someone more or less…try not to put human emotion into equation. He wants to keep the things he values, and he is going to try to control the situation any way he can.

    Where did you get him again? I think you said, and I can't recall.

    Andrea Walters

    Quercus Basenjis

    NW Ohio

    0
  • nobarkusN

    @Benny:

    Yeah, I'll make sure I get the thyroid checked asap. We're scheduling an appointment today. Benny had no problem letting me pick him up last night, but he didn't like it when my girlfriend and my mom tried to. He might just love them more than he does me, so that really shocked me, especially with my girlfriend (who is his mommy).

    I forgot to mention that Ringo also had physical things going on too which made him very irritable. When I corrected that he was much calmer. So it was a combo of both mental and physical. Benny may not have anything physical going on but it doesn't hurt to rule it out. Don't give up as with your help Benny will get through this.

    Buddy, Paolo and Dan

    0
  • QuercusQ

    @nobarkus:

    I forgot to mention that Ringo also had physical things going on too which made him very irritable. When I corrected that he was much calmer. So it was a combo of both. Benny may not have anything physical going on but it doesn't hurt to rule it out.

    It is possible that there is something physically wrong…but he is about the age where behavior problems start to become apparent...and he is pretty much too young for a failing thyroid (although it does occasionally happen in a very young adult). It NEVER hurts to rule out physical problems when behavioral problems occur.

    Andrea Walters

    Quercus Basenjis

    NW Ohio

    0
  • BennyB

    @Quercus:

    Okay, try this school. Hopefully they are close enough to you. I have talked to Ed, and he seems to be a really great trainer…I haven't actually met him, nor observed him train...but according to their website, and the feedback I have gotten from him, I agree with their methods:

    www dot northcoastdogs dot com

    That is within an hour from home, I'll give them a call.

    0
  • nobarkusN

    I think we're getting Benny on the right track here. It's nice having this forum as you can get good help from experienced people like Andrea.

    Buddy, Paolo and Dan

    0
  • BennyB

    @nobarkus:

    I think we're getting Benny on the right track here. It's nice having this forum as you can get good help from experienced people like Andrea.

    I really do appreciate everyone's help. We have an appointment with the vet this Thursday at 11:15 am to get some bloodwork done.

    0
  • agilebasenjiA

    The training school that Andrea gave you has a Sarah Kalnajs seminar. I have not seen her in person, but her videos are really worth watching! You may want to look at attending. Look at the topics for Day 2.

    0
  • lvossL

    I have seen Sarah Kalnajs in person and her seminars are great.

    0
  • S

    Where did you get him again?

    Sharron Hurlbut

    BRAT, basenji rescue

    Evergreen basenji club

    Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue

    0
  • BennyB

    Pet Land (pet store)

    0

Suggested Topics

  • J

    Bit Stranger

    Behavioral Issues
    10
    0 Votes
    10 Posts
    3k Views
    J
    Thanks everybody for the insight. Still can’t believe our sweet little dog that curls up with us, has it in him to bite somebody. The more I read, the more I believe that this is fear related founded or not. Our vet recommended a behaviorist, so we might go that route. We did already do some formal training, but that was just a Petsmart class. It was more for the benefit of our kids but he was in a unusual social environment and did so well....better than all the dogs In the class. We will keep working on this. Thanks! J
  • fjd89F

    My dog bit me.

    Behavioral Issues
    7
    0 Votes
    7 Posts
    7k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    :::Note: I’m not a professional trainer, I have a degree in psychology and im a teacher; a dog is like a 2-4 year old. Every dog is different though, maybe I’ve just gotten lucky, but what I’ve been doing has been working for me; maybe it will for you.::: LOL, not luck... good common sense. We do basic training to get solid responses in controlled environments, which gives a good base for expanding it to other situations. Like eeeefarm, I don't thing animal aggressive dogs need to socialize with strange dogs. I keep them separated. For the unexpected, working at home on basic commands (Leave It!, "look at me" to focus on you and understand the other dog is off limits, solid 100 percent down-stay) can help you avoid your dog getting revved enough to bite. That means you have to stay on top of things, change directions if necessary, and be firm and loud in asking others to not approach with their dog. Training is wonderful bonding, and it exercises their brains. http://www.clickerlessons.com/index.htm
  • BennyB

    Benny's Behavior

    Behavioral Issues
    12
    0 Votes
    12 Posts
    4k Views
    QuercusQ
    Also, I would recommend "Click to Calm" by Emma Parsons…and just about anything by Patricia McConnell. You can find these books at dogwise dot com You CAN learn to change Benny's behavior yourself, but it would really help to have a behaviorist help you. You wouldn't really have to risk a lot if you learn exactly what techniques you prefer to use, and then interview people about their preferences. After you do some research, it should be pretty easy to tell who is thinking the same way you are, and whether or not they can help. Did you try Northcoast Dogs? their website is that name then dot com
  • L

    Lucy bit a kid- Lawsuit pending?!

    Behavioral Issues
    98
    0 Votes
    98 Posts
    50k Views
    ComicDom1C
    @dmcarty: Once I showed a neighbor my "years of the American Basenji" books as I was researching a pedigree (long before online info) Her comment was - geez could we have that for husbands - with a list of things like - does windows etc. I work in the schools and I have to say the parents that I see that are off the charts are so far off the charts that they should have not reproduced. They far overshadow the majority that are good and responsible. There just seems to be a sense of entitlement that I don't remember when I was a child. "I'm entitled to whatever I want - and I can do what I want - there should be no consequences but someone better save me if I screw up." I saw the same thing when I was teaching in Chicago. Children can misbehave, throw things at teachers, staff, or others and get away with it. You used to be able to count on your principal to deal with behavior problems but those days are long gone. If you call a parent, many times you are not deal with in a nice way. On Parent Teacher night at least in the public school I was in, most parents never attend. Many times you are lucky if a child comes to school in clean clothes or food in their stomachs. At the school I taught at there were many kids on free lunch and some of free breakfast as well. Some of the kids would take home any food they could get for later or for others in their families. It was not a great situation. On top of this the behavior problems have made it almost impossible to teach at times. I have seen many kids passed through a grade just so the teacher could get rid of them and not have to deal with that child the next year. Its not surprising to me that these kids are running about unsupervised at a very young age. Unfortunately the rest of society suffers because of irresponsible people. The gangs have become the family and the younger kids are put up to more and more violent crimes because in many states the penalties for a minor are seen as insignificant. Jason
  • I

    A little bit of this and that

    Behavioral Issues
    15
    0 Votes
    15 Posts
    5k Views
    tashaT
    Sounds like that is his personality. No different than my beagle/dalmation mix who does not like to have his feet touched. If he doesn't like it, let him not like it. My cat does the same thing now that I think of it. She'll plop herself on my foot and as soon as I touch her with my other foot she takes off.
  • dashD

    My B bit my kid

    Behavioral Issues
    21
    0 Votes
    21 Posts
    14k Views
    BarklessdogB
    A cold Basenji is a cuddly one! [image: recline.jpg] Winter has it's advantages in cold parts of the world! I find Basenji's are like cats, sometimes they want tons of physical attention and other times. it's DON'T TOUCH ME!!!