All great advice above. Definitely not separation anxiety as elbrant says. It's normal. Practicing crate training a few hours a day at different times is important for when you need to run errands or if you travel with your dog. Mine whined a lot at first. He still doesn't like getting into the crate when he realizes that I'm on my way out (putting on coat, etc), but willingly goes in at our dinner time cause I feed him treats when he's in. We don't like him pestering while we eat. Feeding while in crate, and practicing rewards with the crate door OPEN the whole time, builds positive association with the crate, but a Basenji is smart enough to know the difference. In any case, it helps and the sooner you get started crate training and he or she learns to self-sooth and relax in the crate, the better.
My vet says my puppy is too aggressive
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@zande - As we have talked about, not the same in the US, sad to say. People do not want the responsibility be it a female or male. And the more that get dogs for "whoever" the more chances that they will breed them and have puppies. And then there are the people that want to breed "because their children should see the miracle of birth"... NOT
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@tanza, and also many breeders insist on their pups being neutered if they are not being shown. And often co-ownership if the dog is intact and showing. When I got Perry at 3 years old, he was intact, but I had to promise to send proof of neutering as a condition of having him.
"In order to get along with a Basenji, you have to be at least half as smart as the dog!"
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@tanza I'm just pointing out that too early is NOT good for the dog.
Its such a shame that the mindset over there is so different to that over here. I have long since accepted that as fact, although with extreme reluctance.
But @JENGOSMonkey was saying not before 1.5 - 2 years. And that he didn't think that was 'too early'.
For the development of the dog, yes it IS too early. But it will happen, over and over again. Such a shame.
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@eeeefarm - That is true because many breeders know that people do not want to be bothered with in-tact dogs, especially when they have children in the house.... Just pointing out reasons that many people have their pets spayed/neutered. And yes in the US it is a requirement from many breeders... differences between the US and Europe. But that does not mean spay/neuter at a totally inappropriate age.
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I think the biting/soiling himself is an extreme reaction to seeing a child 12 feet away! I've never heard of or seen such a thing happen. A fearful dog is a dangerous dog and your guy is just a little pup! I don't think he is aggressive - just fearful. If you were carrying him, that would explain the bite. An animal in fear or over excited will bite anything nearby (even a loved one). You need to build his confidence and control his attention. You use a sling (to carry him)? Don't. He needs to walk, explore and build confidence!
First, get yourself a light metal chain leash (not a heavy one).
Next, make sure he is wearing a collar and/or harness he cannot get out of - these guys can be like a houdini contortionist and you want to prevent his escape at all cost! If you have to use both a collar and a harness, do it. I recommend a martingale collar in addition to a harness. Use 2 leashes if you have to. Keep your eyes on him every second when he is on leash and you are outside. I keep my basenji in front of me - it's when he is behind me and starts to back up that he can get out of his collar/harness.
Next, desensitize him to whatever freaks him out. Go to a playground - stay far away and work your way closer SLOWLY and preferably with another dog who is older and very calm who can be a good example for your little guy. Or sign up for a puppy obedience class where there will be a couple of kids. Let the instructor know about the problem. Your pup will be distracted by the other pups and they will be a good example to show him there's no reason to melt down.Always have treats to give to other people to give to Pharaoh so he will learn that strangers (big and little) are a good thing. Also, work with him on "Look at Me!" in a happy voice when you give him treats and put his food down - if you can get him to focus on you rather than whatever is "bothering" him, it could help in a scary situation.
You need to build Pharaoh's confidence up.
I support spaying and neutering. It can be kinder. My friend has a wonderful and well mannered Arabian stallion. I feel sorry for him that he can never be with other horses.
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@pawla - I think you are responding to a different post?
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@pawla - Pretty difficult to try and relate a horse stallion to an intact male dog? I came from horses and they are totally different then dogs...
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So when I mentioned not neutering till 1.5 to 2 years, I based that on reading on multiple sites including AKCs that sexual maturity occurs between 6 to 9 mo, and that most breeds (males) are full grown by 12 mo. Large breeds by 24 mo. They seem to agree that full grown means growth plates have closed. Based on that, the range I gave would be generous for a Besenji.
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@tanza said in My vet says my puppy is too aggressive:
@pawla - I think you are responding to a different post?
I had the same thought, however, the post that I this response reminded me of has been deleted (by the author). This response, I think, should have gone to: @yahtzee92
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Hi - still not sure why neutering is “bad, bad, bad”? Understand if thats an opinion and thats cool but 100% of every dog owner i know has had their dog spayed/neutered. Seems the responsible thing to do as well?
For reasons in a nutshell and in detail, I'd suggest you check out the link below. It has scientific research to dispel many neutering myths.
https://my.puppyculture.co.uk/resources/flipbook/spay-neuter-booklet/
Good luck with your decision.
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@giira2121
as @donc saidFirst off, if a vet thinks neutering will change aggressive behavior you should look for a new vet. That is such a discredited myth. If she doesn't know that what else doesn't she know?
When considering whether to neuter, I'd suggest you check out the link below. It has scientific research to dispel many neutering myths.
It's a brief but very thorough booklet discussing the pros and cons of neutering/spaying, more science based than anecdotal.
https://my.puppyculture.co.uk/resources/flipbook/spay-neuter-booklet/There is definitely less societal compulsion to spay/neuter in Europe.
