What should I do with my Basenji?

I am at wits end with my Basenji. I love the little booger but he's become aggressive and I am not going to risk letting my newborn get bit!

What should I do? Should I put an add in the paper, turn him into the humane society, or sell him to a basenji rescue. The obvious answer is the rescue but I can't afford it being a new parent. Do you think he is alost cause if he's biting?

When he bites it's usually really for no reason. For example, last night he was sleeping on my lap and I was rubbing his head; 5 min later the turd attacked me. This isn't the first time and I am well aware to not startle them from behind... He's just crazy every rare occasion.

Anyone's advice would be helpful. I just don't know if he's going to get put to sleep (I really hope not) or if there is a chance someone would be willing to put up with him. 90% of the time he is a perfect sweet angel.

If you are fearful of your child around this dog make the right decision. There are plenty of great dogs dying everyday in the shelter. Unless you or someone can commit to working with this dog on behavior modification you have to do the right thinga to make sure he doesn't have a chance to bite anyone.

What if you let him go to someone that says they can handle it and then when your child is three playing in the front yard he shows up and your child still gets bit. Think ahead for the safety of others. If its not your own child it could be another.

Get a pit they love kids.

If you do rehome him, please be honest and let the new owners know about his agression issues.

There are no lost causes, but you must be willing to work through his behavioral issues-that will include basic obedience training and daily walks. If you can't commit to that (with a newborn it might be tough) then rehoming is best.

Try taking him to the vet and make sure there's no underlying problem or illness that is making him cranky. If you have to get rid of him, try the rescue, or run an ad. There may be people who love that breed, or who have no small children that would like to have him.

the question isnt whether someone would be willing to put up with him at a shelter b/c aggressive dogs are never put up for adoption the public never sees them they are evaluated for aggrestion as soon as they come in. he will be put down if he becomes aggressive while being evaluated. i would consult a trainer who has dealt with semi aggressive dogs before and see what they say. try listing him on petfinder if you dont want him.

He needs a complete physical. This dog could be deaf or blind. Basenjis have many eye problems leading to blindness. Please have him examined.

Before giving up on him, try obedience/animal behavior training. I am sure they could give you some insight as to why he is behaving this way and how to correct it. There could be a very simple fix to the problem if you seek some advice.

I don't think you should give up on your dog! Since you say he's 90% of the time a sweet angel, you should give him that much hope that he can be trained out of his aggression. Perhaps you can go seek a dog behaviour counsellor and work side by side with a trainer.
By the way is your dog neutered or spayed? If not, you could try that.

Give him to the Humane Society. Rescue groups monitor intakes at humane societies, so it is likely he will be picked up by one of them. You absolutely cannot trust him around your newborn so it would be wise to do it sooner rather than later. I know it is very difficult thing to do, (I had to have our dog put down after he bit my wife) but it must be done.

Here's the honest answer. I agree that a dog that bites with little provokation should not be in a home with a newborn. If he has been aggressive and bites, you are going to have a very tough time rehoming him. Most humane societies do screen dogs for behavior and ours will not accept an aggressive dog, especially one that has bitten someone. Animla Control will euthanize him without a second thought if he is aggressive. An ad in the paper is just passing the problem off to someone else. If you decide to rehome yourself, you need to be completely honest with someone who is thinking about taking him about the problems you are having. Frankly, I think you will have a hard time finding someone who will want him with his history. If you don't tell them, you could be found liable and end up with a lawsuit.

A purebred rescue may take him. Most rescues don't charge to take a dog, so I find it surprising the rescue you contacted wanted to charge you. You might want to search www.petfinder.com and the other rescue groups you might find on the internet to see if they might take him.

For many people, I'd suggest working with a trainer, but with a newborn in the house I don't think it's the right way to go and also it sounds like money is an issue for you. Even with training, aggressive dogs are never 100% safe, especially around kids.

If the problem is as serious as you say, humane euthanasia may be your only choice. I don't say this lightly, but I've seen this many times, and sometimes it's the only option if the dog is very aggressive, has bitten someone and cannot remain in the home.

You say he is OK 90% of the time (most aggressive dogs are by the way) but that 10% when something stresses him or sets him off could be very dangerous to someone.

There may be something wrong with him physically. If this behavior just started or he is jealous of your new born. If I were you I'd take him to the vet to see if anything is wrong with him, if not he does need some serious training. If you can't put in the time that is needed you may have to consider turning him over to a Basenji rescue and tell them the problem you are having. I know you love him, but you do have your new baby to think of. I really feel for you having this problem. Good luck with it all....

Basenji's are a very difficult breed to own. They are primivite dogs and can be very bratty at times. If he bites you, he will probably end up biting your baby. The best thing to do would be to save up enough money and give him to the rescue. Tell them that he bites and would be best in a home with no kids and an expierenced Basenji owner. Do not run an add in the paper because then anyone could just take him. The rescue place will at least screen the people interested in adopting him. You can always request that the rescue tell you where he went to so that you know he is in a good home.

I would suggest going to your vet first to make sure there is not a result of a mental or physical problem that could be resolved.

Other than that is he bored does he get enough exersize if not he can get frustrated

I would try training but if you go another route make sure they are aware of the problems since anyone adopting him will need to take a lot of time training him

Call Basenji rescue.

There are many Basenji rescues in the US, these are one of the most misunderstood and abanonded breeds.

http://www.basenjirescue.org/

If you just take him to a shelter and you are honest with why you are leaving him, they will put him down. They don't have the time or resources to deal with aggressive or potentially aggressive dogs - these are destroyed.

if you're going to give it up
please call Brat basenji rescue. they will make sure it goes to a great home.
Basenjis are very difficult to own
http://www.basenjirescue.org/

It sounds like the dog believes he is in charge. The best of your options would be a Basenji Rescue....why are you talking about "selling" him to a Rescue and that you cannot "afford" it? Rescues I've worked with ask the owner to pay for costs to rehome, but not if the owner cannot afford it. They don't buy dogs ! And they don't sell dogs !!!

Talk to your local Basenji Club or the dog's breeder. A good breeder would want you to talk to them first and would take the dog back.

First, make sure the dog is neutered. There are low cost spay/neuter clinics and some will do it for free. AND have the vet check for any medical reasons for his aggression. Thyroid, vision, etc... If you cannot afford vet bills, why did you have a baby? They are more expensive than a dog.

Google Nothing In Life is Free.

Do not allow this dog up on couches or beds for now. High positions can encourage dominant behavior.

The dog is becoming aggressive, because you aren't the leader. That does not mean you should be aggressive or physical with your dog, it means you can assert your leadership in many subtle ways.

Lastly do not get another dog until you understand why your dog is acting this way. If it's not medical then it's probably you spoiling him and allowing him to become aggressive. Few dogs just "turn mean" , most people just don't understand all the warning signs.

Basenjis are not a typical dog, that is true. But they still should not be biting their owner.

Please don't just give him to someone that does not know Basenjis. I'd rather see the dog put down than passed from home to home, biting people.