My Basenji is growling at Everyone

Behavioral Issues
Log in to reply
  • D

    Jazz recently has started to growl at everyone when they do something she doesn't like… She doesn't growl at but at everyone else... I think she might think she's dominate over them... Having my boyfriend get his dominance back with her he can do but I really don't know how to establish the 7 and 10 month old... Anyone got any Ideas..
    Rachel

    0
  • tanzaT

    @Ducati457:

    Jazz recently has started to growl at everyone when they do something she doesn't like… She doesn't growl at but at everyone else... I think she might think she's dominate over them... Having my boyfriend get his dominance back with her he can do but I really don't know how to establish the 7 and 10 month old... Anyone got any Ideas..
    Rachel

    Other then talking to the breeder for suggestions, my biggest suggestion is that you get an animal behaviorist to work with you, your BF and the children (I assume you are talking about children)

    With children that young, you need assistance before someone really gets hurt…. hopefully she is not around the children alone.. (ever)... that is never a correct situation....

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

    0
  • lvossL

    In addition to talking to the breeder, I would also make sure that you have ruled out a medical issue. When was her last check up? Was a thyroid panel run? A tick screen?

    I would also suggest keeping a journal of when she growls so when you talk to a behaviorist you can give them detailed information. There may be a trigger that is more readily identified once you are looking at several of the events together.

    0
  • SchouiffyS

    Whatever you do , don't force her physically into submission!! it will only make things worse

    Lauren - Lycia's Mum

    Wellington, New Zealand

    _

    I know they say dogs don't understand spite… but I swear Basenjis do._

    0
  • C

    I do agree that basenjis and be spiteful, and hold a grudge too: (if you don't apologize to them) Hey, this is my first ever post: sorry if im in the wrong "chat room" or whatever; but when is the correct time to nueter a male? We have Leo, and he just turned 6 mos. I have heard the, "after he lifts his leg" theory. Our vet says that the earlier the better (after 6 mos) because the dog recovers better: any thoghts anyone?

    0
  • tanzaT

    @calimcc:

    I do agree that basenjis and be spiteful, and hold a grudge too: (if you don't apologize to them) Hey, this is my first ever post: sorry if im in the wrong "chat room" or whatever; but when is the correct time to nueter a male? We have Leo, and he just turned 6 mos. I have heard the, "after he lifts his leg" theory. Our vet says that the earlier the better (after 6 mos) because the dog recovers better: any thoghts anyone?

    I do not believe that Basenjis (or any other breed for that matter) hold a grudge or can be spiteful… those are human emotions and many times we humans try to put them off on our pets... simple not true. Dogs will do bad behaviors because it get the humans attention.. and usually means they are not getting enough attention in a positive way....

    You could be waiting a long time for the "leg lift"..ggg Some dogs never do it... especially outdoors around the home. Between 6 and 9 months is a good time to neuter, I have always had my puppy people neuter at 6 to 7 months... But I have had Basenjis neutered at as old as 10 yrs with no recovery problems, depends on their general health in general. But no reason that you should not do it earlier as opposed then later. What does your breeder recommend?

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

    0
  • tanzaT

    @Ducati457:

    Jazz recently has started to growl at everyone when they do something she doesn't like… She doesn't growl at but at everyone else... I think she might think she's dominate over them... Having my boyfriend get his dominance back with her he can do but I really don't know how to establish the 7 and 10 month old... Anyone got any Ideas..
    Rachel

    Another question for Ducati457, is your girl spayed? Not sure if you said how old she is…. If under a year and not spayed, she could be coming into season which will many times change their temperaments due to hormone changes... even for spayed bitches, they still know when breeding season is and will sometimes "think" they should be coming in season....

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

    0
  • tanzaT

    @Schouiffy:

    Whatever you do , don't force her physically into submission!! it will only make things worse

    And I totally agree here… Do NOT force her physically.... someone could really get seriously hurt...

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

    0
  • C

    I was sort of kidding about the grudge thing, Tanza: B's just have so much personality as you know: our breeder, who is awesome, reccommend the "leg lift" time-line: seems like most reccommend 6-8 months: i think thats what we will do

    0
  • tanzaT

    @calimcc:

    I was sort of kidding about the grudge thing, Tanza: B's just have so much personality as you know: our breeder, who is awesome, reccommend the "leg lift" time-line: seems like most reccommend 6-8 months: i think thats what we will do

    I have had males that never lift their legs…gggg...

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

    0
  • D

    Okay so many questions to answer…

    No she's not left alone with the kids ever...
    She's under a year old and isn't spay... I purchased her to show...
    Her last check up was 5 months ago when I shipped her in from her breeder...
    No I haven't thought about contacting her breeder about the problem...

    I was thinking about contacting a trainer about it so I think that's what I'll do... She's a great little girl other then this one problem, but it only happens when she's like comfortable on the couch and they go to move her to touch her... She doesn't snap (thank god) but growls and runs away from them...that's the only time that she growls

    0
  • lvossL

    If the only time that she growls is when she thinks she is going to be to moved, try calling her off the couch and rewarding with a treat when she moves. The kids can do this too and it will help with making her feel that the kids mean good things.

    0
  • tanzaT

    @Ducati457:

    Okay so many questions to answer…

    No she's not left alone with the kids ever...
    She's under a year old and isn't spay... I purchased her to show...
    Her last check up was 5 months ago when I shipped her in from her breeder...
    No I haven't thought about contacting her breeder about the problem...

    I was thinking about contacting a trainer about it so I think that's what I'll do... She's a great little girl other then this one problem, but it only happens when she's like comfortable on the couch and they go to move her to touch her... She doesn't snap (thank god) but growls and runs away from them...that's the only time that she growls

    You should always at least contact your breeder to get a reality check… IMO.. and I agree with lvoss... if she is on the couch... make sure she is awake first and call her off the couch before touching her... especially with small children.. their natural reaction is to reach in and touch... you need to teach them to respect "her" space... and they need to call out first before touching... same for your BF.....

    I think that a behaviorist would be a great idea... be sure it is one that understands Basenjis and has worked with them if possible

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

    0
  • thunderbird8588T

    Gosh this story sounds so familiar Ducati. Our Basenji Benji would always growl if we attempted to get him off furniture with our hands. We learned you just don't go there. Like someone else has suggested you need to tell them to get down, usualy over and over untill they do and then reward when they do. I'm sure you will have sucess with her being so young. Just needs loads of patience.
    I also found that if he got into my place i could get him to move by pressing him etc with my body rather like another dog would, but probs this method would be considered unsafe in case it triggered a bite. Good luck.

    Shelley

    Basenji Malaika

    Basenji Malaika
    Basenji Kwame

    0
  • wizardW

    My first basenji would absolutely freak out (never saw an animal move that fast) if he was touched while sleeping on the couch. My second one would sometimes fake nip if he were startled while sleeping on the couch. My two cents worth would be to work on making sure she is awake before grabbing her off the couch as Lvoss and Tanza said.

    0
  • renaultf1R

    I have a 4yo male that doesn't lift his leg probably 80% of the time.

    0
  • jys1011J

    Ditto! My girl never lfts her leg either & she's 5yo now. She squats like any other respectable woman :D

    Basenji Mom of C3PO & TOPAZ

    0
  • wubangaW

    ya my male is 1.5 and hardly ever lifts his leg to go, as for the growling my pup about 1 and ahalf yrs old has a similar problem hes super nice with ppl but whenever my other dog goes near a bone hes chewing or his food while hes eating he makes this viscous growling noise. actually any dog he does that to. and he also tries to be dominate over the older basenji and constantly stands over her while shes lying down like hes some big tough guy.

    0

Suggested Topics

  • M

    Growling at bedtime

    Behavioral Issues
    5
    0 Votes
    5 Posts
    4k Views
    CrazySenjiC
    This is a very common basenji issue! They get comfortable and don't want to be bothered. My brindle dog only does it when he's still delirious from sleep and "snaps out of it" when he realizes what's going on. Teaching a dog "OFF!" is very important! Do it when they are happy and awake and then move to sleepy and grumpy. On the couch, say OFF! and treat them when they get it right. It becomes a game. Both of my dogs know what "OFF!" means and listen to it. One of them will continue to grumble until he's fully awake and then he's back to his happy self. I agree with Pat and the treats for crate time. When I leave for work I say "Who wants a treat?" and off they run to their kennels! I break out the good stuff for going to work time. At night I say night-night and in they go. This didn't happen overnight! It took my red boy months to like his crate. Lots of sleepless nights with a screaming puppy. I actually had to buy him a new one because I discovered he was scared of the all enclosed plastic crates. Now his perfect in his crate and goes in on his own to relax.
  • M

    Basenji puppy growling when woken up

    Behavioral Issues
    15
    0 Votes
    15 Posts
    9k Views
    C
    I made sure when my girl did it, I con tinued to pick her up and say stop being so snarky and she would stop imedietely and lick me. I have a very unusual Basenji who loves to kiss and maybe that is because we kissed on her all the time from the day we got her, and whenever she got grumpy and than stopped she got loved on and kissed on. She rarely gets annoyed now because we follow through and never let her think she is the boss. So just follow through and tell her no and dont stop what you already started or she will think she is in control. I was literally a nervous owner with mine because I had heard so many stories about Basenjis and how difficult they can be, and I always had Whippets which are so laid back it is not even funny. But now I have totally gotten over it. I would get another Basenji in a minute and not think twice about it. She is the most entertaining awesome dog we have ever had. Just make sure she knows her place in the pack and love on her alot. It has worked with ours.
  • H

    Basenji Help!!

    Behavioral Issues
    9
    0 Votes
    9 Posts
    3k Views
    V
    Move the crates to different rooms. The female won't be able to see what's going on. Give the male his food first, then feed the female a little later. Don't let them out of the crates at the same time.
  • youngandtiredY

    Growling!

    Behavioral Issues
    15
    0 Votes
    15 Posts
    4k Views
    B
    @youngandtired: :rolleyes: This woman is so stupid to let this B's behavior go to the point of looking like it will bite. My Sahara, does growl at times, but I would not allow this behavior at all. I have grabbed her when she tried to keep me from shuting the bathroom door on her, she was growling real loud, she knew I meant business and has not tried that behavior lately. I did carry a water bottle with me when I got into my car recently and told her, "No", and she has not done the growl & grab Mom's wrist since. Yea, the next time company stops by I will put her on a leash when they leave, which is a problem sometimes as she runs from me. Have to get the special sandwich meat treat out for that. haha!!!!! Can't keep her from the mailman and UPS man, I don't know when they come until it's too late. She is doing better about minding my "Leave It" commands, so I think in time of reinforcing no growling she will get better. Thanks all for the advice!:D Sounds like your making good progress C…...good job!!!! Keep it up......Mom's in charge!;)
  • jys1011J

    Is my basenji dangerous?

    Behavioral Issues
    23
    0 Votes
    23 Posts
    14k Views
    L
    Basenji people are dedicated to our breed, and we all seem to be very responsible. Basenjis don't like all other dogs, so we socialize them the best we can and keep them on the leash so they can't attack other dogs or sprint off after a squirrel and get killed by a car. But there are still dog owners out there who just don't understand the principles of responsible dog ownership. You don't just worry about dogs attacking each other but people as well. I posted the story about how I was attacked by a doberman and nearly killed several years ago. If not for the mailman I wouldn't even be here to talk about it. The owner said he didn't think Raggs would ever attack anybody, so he would just open the door and let him out on his own to go potty. I'm so glad we basenji owners are more responsible than some folks out there who just don't seem to get it.
  • annandaelA

    Same Sex and Basenji to Basenji aggression.

    Behavioral Issues
    6
    0 Votes
    6 Posts
    5k Views
    T
    I agree with Catherine, socialization is a must, but it depends on the personality of the individual dog. When we had 4, they all slept on the bed together and ran together and rarely did we have any problems. We added a puppy and things were still going ok, just really crowded. However, one day our youngest girl decided she was all grown up and didn't want to be bossed around anymore by our 'wanna-be' alpha. Neither of them was a true alpha. We managed to defuse the situation, but a month later it happened again. The girls could never be together again. In fact, the tri developed a predjudice against all red girls after that! Both girls were terrific with people and with Basenji males and even with males and females of other breeds. I had 2 intact males, brothers, who stayed together with absolutely no problem for almost 4 years until one went to another home. They even got along during season. Terry