If I tried to pick up Sam and carry him away from a fight he would have a go at me. When he is worked up and I've tried to get him away he has bitten me. In every other respect he is a wonderful dog whom I love v much. I find it interesting that I haven't come across any other basenjis in this forum as aggressive as mine. Sam doesn't just growl or snap at other male dogs he actively pushes them and tries to goad them into fighting. I'm beginning to think that Sam is a particularly 'rambunctious' pup?

Hello, I'm the 'parent' to a 9 year old basenji boy who has lived with me since he was 8 weeks old. He is very aggressive to other dogs and I need some advice with this. I posted a message in the behaviour forum and I gave all the details of my predicament there. I hope someone can help because it's a pretty frightening problem. I'm able to teach Sam my basenji new 'tricks' like shake hands with each paw, sit, jump up, jump down, etc which shows that he respects me enough to cooperate with me but once he is outside the fence he nearly totally ignores me. I tried a halti once to stop him pulling but he kept trying to rub it off on the ground till his nose bled. My other dog (Zephyr) is a greyhound and a complete angel, but Sam is driving me into an early grave!Also, often if someone is walking past he will nip at their legs and he has nipped at children without being provoked in any way. When he was a pup I took him everywhere with me to socialise him with people and dogs, he is fine with female dogs, but why does he actively try to fight all male dogs? And people can be so thoughtless, allowing their dogs off lead anywhere and I'm very frightened that Sam will get into BIG trouble one day.

hello, I've just joined this forum. I have a beautiful 9 yr old basenji boy. I didn't get him neutered as a pup because the registered breeder I got him from advised against it. In hindsight, I should have followed my strong instincts and had him neutered as a pup. As an adult he is very aggressive towards male dogs and if he has the opportunity, will actively try to pick fights. As a pup I took him with mey everywhere, markets, lure coursing, walks EVERY day in the neighbourhood to socialise with other dogs and people. Now as adult dog he is turning me into a nervous wreck, he is a nightmare to walk as he just pulls as hard as he can for the ENTIRE walk. Once, and only once in 9 years the leash came loose and he goaded another dog into a fight, it was a nightmare, thank god the other dog's owner finally came because the other dog was shaking poor Sam (my basenji) like a rabbit. The other day, a gardener let Sam out even though I'd warned him to wait while I got Sam inside, the upshot was was that Sam ran into a yard and tried to attack the two MASSIVE resident dogs (one of whom was a rottweiler) and thank god the owner finally came and herded his dogs away. I don't know what to do about Sam's aggression, I hardly walk him now because it is such a nerve wracking excersize as Sam will try to fight ANY male dog that comes near. I live on a 1 and quarter acre property with alot of trees so he still has alot of room to run around, but it breaks my heart because I know he really wants to go out. He is a big, stocky basenji and when he pulls with all his might on the lead it's just horrible, and coupled with the fear of other dogs coming up to him and what might happen it just makes walking Sam a nerve wracking experience. I walk my other dog (a greyhound )every time I go out and it's an absolute pleasure, if Sam would behave a bit I'd take him with me everywhere, but I'm at the stage where I'm just plain frightened. Can anyone tell me if desexing would calm him down a bit? I really, really need some advice. He has lived with me since he was 8 wks old.