Fear Factor

Behavioral Issues
Log in to reply
  • KebasmomK

    We've had our little guy for a week today. Spencer is great!! My husband and youngest son and I went to the breeder and picked him up. Spence has no problems with the three of us, BUT for some reason he is really (and I mean really) afraid of my oldest son who hasn't done anything at all to him. We thought Spence would be over this by now. Any hints?

    0
  • QuercusQ

    What is Specer doing to show he is afraid?

    Most likely, I would start having your older son be the only one that feeds Spencer his meals, the only one who gives him treats for now. After a week of that you should se some improvement. Ask him not to try to push Spencer for interaction, just quietly put his food down, and toss treats to him throughout the day.

    Andrea Walters

    Quercus Basenjis

    NW Ohio

    0
  • BasenjiDivaB

    @Quercus:

    I would start having your older son be the only one that feeds Spencer his meals, the only one who gives him treats for now. After a week of that you should se some improvement. Ask him not to try to push Spencer for interaction, just quietly put his food down, and toss treats to him throughout the day.

    I agree. We once rescued a basset hound who was terrified of males. After only 2 weeks of getting all meals and snacks from my husband and sons, she was their best buddy. Of course, she was very food motivated. Cory, our basenji, appeared to initially prefer me over my husband. So not only did he start feeding her, he also was the one to "rescue her" from her crate (which she hates). That definitely equalized things.

    Good luck,
    Pat

    0
  • KebasmomK

    Spencer will not even get close to my son. When my son comes into the room he will leave or retreat to the other side of the room. When he reaches for Spencer, Spencer runs. Today my son got a little too close and Spencer took off screaming like he had been hit with something, which was not the case at all. I was right there and watched it happen. Spence was so frightened he pooped while he was running!! It's really sad because my son was so close to our other basenji and it really bothers him Spence just doesn't want anything to do to him. It's strange though, if I pick Spence up and hand him to my son, he will sit with him and let my son pet him…:confused:

    0
  • QuercusQ

    <

    Andrea Walters

    Quercus Basenjis

    NW Ohio

    0
  • KebasmomK

    Well, we tried having my son put down the food for Spence and he eventually ate it. We are making some progress, thanks to Osca Mayer again. Later Spence actually came and took a piece of hot dog from my son's hand! I think things will be fine. It will just take time.

    0

Suggested Topics

  • JKentJ

    Fear period aggression

    Behavioral Issues
    14
    2 Votes
    14 Posts
    1k Views
    B
    I found a really excellent method which fixed this quickly. I just give house guests (esp males) a few pieces of chicken and have them freely give it to the pups when they meet them. They LOVE house guests now.
  • B

    5 Month Old Puppy Fear Aggression

    Behavioral Issues
    6
    1 Votes
    6 Posts
    2k Views
    M
    You are taking the right steps. It sounds like you have been very diligent in training your puppy and caring for her especially with a broken foot and quarantine. If you specifically asked the Vet how she did and he didn't say anything until now that's really disappointing - I would look for a new Vet but at the very least I would stay with her through the visits. I agree with Ember's comment. Good luck with the fear trainer.
  • W

    Fearful pup

    Behavioral Issues
    17
    1 Votes
    17 Posts
    13k Views
    tanzaT
    @wyldepaws - What a sweetie....
  • 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!
  • Robin_n_JackR

    Fear of dogs

    Behavioral Issues
    14
    0 Votes
    14 Posts
    6k Views
    C
    My son has been afraid of animals his entire life. We didn't know it until we were visiting a friend when he was 1 year old and their cat WALKED across the room. He freaked out. From that point on he was afraid of any live animal, but loved stuffed animals. He is 6 now and we just got an 8 week old Basenji. We talked about it alot, (he has slowly gotten used to our friend's cat, but every time the animal made a sudden move he jolted). He was excited to get the puppy, and we sat with him while he got used to exactly what the puppy would do. It has only been 2 months and my son is so good with our dog that he is not afraid of the dogs across the street who are high strung little fluffy things that always sent him runnning and screaming into the house. When I asked him about it he said he wasn't afraid now because he had one now. We waited to get a dog until both of our kids were older and could handle some responsibility. It was the best decision we made. He is still uncomforable around large dogs and other large animals, but has made remarkable progress. I don't know how your nephew will respond, but as he gets older he may realize that he has some control over the animals and that may help. Good luck!!!
  • Tayda_LennyT

    Just as I feared - Lenny attacked the puppy

    Behavioral Issues
    11
    0 Votes
    11 Posts
    3k Views
    nomrbddgsN
    Shadow will still put the Boxenji in her place. Shadow weighs about 22-24 lbs, Zina weighs about 60. But, then again Zina thinks she a Basenji-Yours will probably think it's a basenji also. Even though I have an older heeler-she associates herself with the Basenji's.