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

Benny bit the neighbor!

Behavioral Issues
  • lvossL

    @Benny:

    Benny was laying in the chair that she just got out of, when she came back, she tried to move him and he growled and snapped at her.

    Considering what happened with the trainer, it is not surprising that Benny does not want humans to touch him. It is going to take some relationship building and trust building to help mend what happened with the trainer.

    As for humping, many dogs hump not because of dominance but as a form of stress relief or because they are over stimulated.

    0
  • nobarkusN

    I adopted a red/wht in 1994 at the age of 2. Oh man was he defensive and growley. If he was laying on the couch and you approached him he would growl at you like he was going to bite. I didn't yell at him "NO"! I just slowly worked my way at him little by little each time I approached until over time he trusted me. The first day I took him to dog trainning class he wanted to fight every dog around us. It took some time to calm him down.
    Also please get his thyroid checked. A lot of time there's something wrong physically that can cause bad behavior. Maybe take him to a holistic vet. Don't give up.

    Buddy, Paolo and Dan

    0
  • BennyB

    He just growled at my girlfriend… who is his mommy. She went to pick him up off of the couch (to see if he would growl at her). I will get his thyroid tested... what types of treatments are available if he doe shave a thyroid problem?

    0
  • nobarkusN

    @Benny:

    He just growled at my girlfriend… who is his mommy. She went to pick him up off of the couch (to see if he would growl at her). I will get his thyroid tested... what types of treatments are available if he doe shave a thyroid problem?

    They will see what his thyriod levels are from his blood work then if it's low put him on Thyroid pills. They will then check again in a few months. I had 2 on them.
    Please check this link.
    http://www.apubasenjis.com/bhealth.html

    Buddy, Paolo and Dan

    0
  • nobarkusN

    Also just a note about the red/wht. He was physically sick too. So after handling that he really started to change and became a fun dog. He still occasionally like to challenge a bigger dog but not too bad.

    Buddy, Paolo and Dan

    0
  • nobarkusN

    How long has Benny been like this? Did it start at a certain point in time? He's obviously feeling threatened by someone or something.

    Buddy, Paolo and Dan

    0
  • BennyB

    Started roughly 4 weeks ago… he started by snapping at a kid and an old man who tried to pet him on a walk. Then it progressed to him biting the neighbor, biting my neice, snapping at my nephew, my friend, and then biting the trainer... now today he snapped at my mom, dad, and my gf.... I approached him and did the same thing shortly after and he didn't snap at me. I didn't think he would, but I wanted to make sure of it.

    0
  • BennyB

    I have noticed his fur got slightly lighter around that same time. We mentioned it to the vet and he said it was normal…

    0
  • nobarkusN

    How long have you had Benny? How old is he?

    Buddy, Paolo and Dan

    0
  • nobarkusN

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

    Buddy, Paolo and Dan

    0
  • BennyB

    Also, back in February, my sister's lab started getting a little bigger. She snapped at benny when he tried to take his bone back from her. Benny backed off somewhat… The very next day, benny started snapping at her when she tried to take his treats and bones from him.

    0
  • BennyB

    @nobarkus:

    How long have you had Benny? How old is he?

    We've had him for 13 months… he is 16 months old.

    0
  • nobarkusN

    How often does your sister come around with the lab?

    Buddy, Paolo and Dan

    0
  • nobarkusN

    So Benny's behavior before this was pretty good?

    Buddy, Paolo and Dan

    0
  • BennyB

    @nobarkus:

    How often does your sister come around with the lab?

    2-3 times/week… It's my nephew's dog really.. and she goes where he goes. He comes over after school a few days a week and spends the night over the weekend 1-2 times/month. They love each other, they occasionally snap at each other (when one is trying to steal the other's bone)

    0
  • BennyB

    @nobarkus:

    So Benny's behavior before this was pretty good?

    For the most part. Before we got him neutered, he humped a lot and seemingly got bad for about an hour every night. We got him snipped and started taking him for an additional 2-3 more walks and it did the trick.

    0
  • nobarkusN

    @Benny:

    2-3 times/week… It's my nephew's dog really.. and she goes where he goes. He comes over after school a few days a week and spends the night over the weekend 1-2 times/month. They love each other, they occasionally snap at each other (when one is trying to steal the other's bone)

    The lab and Benny love each other?

    Buddy, Paolo and Dan

    0
  • BennyB

    @nobarkus:

    The lab and Benny love each other?

    They're best friends… when they're together, they play non stop with the occasional nap in between.

    0
  • nobarkusN

    OK, well get that full blood work done then and see what comes up. Do it as soon as possible. Keep us updated on how Benny is doing.

    Buddy, Paolo and Dan

    0
  • ComicDom1C

    @lvoss:

    Considering what happened with the trainer, it is not surprising that Benny does not want humans to touch him. It is going to take some relationship building and trust building to help mend what happened with the trainer.

    As for humping, many dogs hump not because of dominance but as a form of stress relief or because they are over stimulated.

    Yep. lvoss is right on it. I would second the idea that your dog is over stimulated. Just to go further, do you mean humping in a sexual way or hopping on his back feet and pulling as you attempt to walk him. When my Basenji sees another person in the park, and believe me he is interested in meeting everyone, he attempts to pull so hard, he ends up on his hind legs walking and hopping or what appears humping along. He also does this when he sees a bird, a squrriel, a rabbit, another dog, or any other animal that he might be approaching. That was one reason I wanted to try the Gentle leader or a harness. Of course I understand this means my Basenji is very nosey and has a strong prey drive.

    Jason

    Get your Basenji Fanconi DNA tested today!

    https://secure.offa.org/dnatesting/index.html

    0

Suggested Topics

  • M

    Snarling and Bitting

    Behavioral Issues
    10
    0 Votes
    10 Posts
    3k Views
    K
    @DebraDownSouth Swedish Animal Welfare Regulations Section 13 of Sweden’s regulations on keeping dogs and cats states that, “dogs and cats may not be kept in cages” unless they’re used for transport, hunting, or a competition or show. Even then, pet owners are required to let their dogs out of their crates at least every two to three hours.
  • 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
  • AJs HumanA

    AJ Just Bit a Basset

    Behavioral Issues
    24
    0 Votes
    24 Posts
    6k Views
    AJs HumanA
    I like the idea of me taking responsibility for being the grouch. Truck drivers are a rather thick lot. When I tell them my dog is not good with other dogs, they almost inevitably insist on bringing their ratty, filthy, scruffy mutts over to spread the mange wealth around to AJ. They almost always say the same thing: "He won't do anything to my dog. My dog can play with anyone." Yeah, but what if I don't want my Basenji to catch mange, fleas or cooties from your dog? Unfortunately, that wasn't the case last night. That Basset was really sweet…with people. She just came in a bit too aggressively for AJ and I didn't give him anywhere to go. With the information I've received here, I think I can be a bit more proactive and confident with him. That will be good. Thank you to everyone.
  • kiyapapayaK

    We just don't like that ONE neighbor kid

    Behavioral Issues
    3
    0 Votes
    3 Posts
    3k Views
    S
    I admire you care with this basenji. I agree, some treats from the child, and slow,gentle movements from her when she is around the dog, will probably work, but it might take some time. Do let us know how it goes.
  • 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
  • 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!!!