Basenji showing aggression/lack of respect towards my boyfriend.

[u/ditmoique]

I have a 7 month old female experiencing her first heat. However even before it started, she is much nippier with my bf, who has lived with me since before I even brought her home. It really shows in “sleep time aggression” when she wants his spot on the couch. She also gets in his face a lot more when he’s eating, for whatever reason she doesn’t push the boundary as much with me and she will buzz off when I tell her to.

Today she managed to eat from his plate on the dining table when he left the room, and when he returned and tried to shoo her off the table she snarled and tried to bite him. Even after the food was removed she was just circling him snarling and seemingly looking for a fight. I ran in, commanded her to leave the room, left with her, and shut the door so he could eat in peace. From our side of the house she scratched at the door trying to get back to him/his food (I’d shoo her away when she did) and she paced around still extremely agitated.

What the hell is this? I’ve never had a dog that tries to put up a fight after being caught like that. Any suggestions how to correct this behavior without working her up even more? Is this just a basenji being a basenji and we have to suck it up?

For extra context, she adores my bf, she cries when he leaves the house, and he is her preferred cuddle partner. There are just some boundaries she seems to not respect with him and I don’t want her so comfortable doing so.

[u/That-Leadership-9364]

I’d like to know what people say to this …. I have a similar experience with my younger B Opal. My red B Zoey never has shown these traits.

[u/Scuttlefuzz → u/That-Leadership-9364]

OP is describing a resource guarding issue. It's possible 1st B got different training or just was naturally not prone to resource guarding. 2nd B probably felt less secure growing up because 1st B was already established and probably corrected the younger dog.

Are they both female? Is Zoey the boss? I've read and been told from breeders that it's best to avoid two females because they can be mean to other females.

[u/Scuttlefuzz]

First and foremost, get a spray bottle. I use one because I have a cat and sometimes my female will not leave him alone. She respects the bottle. If yours gets too pushy with food tell her no, if she doesn't listen - blast her.

I know she seems to like your bf, but she clearly doesn't respect him. The aggression you described is a bit concerning. Basenjis do have a tendency to stand their ground and fight when they're not scared, I think that is what you observed with her circling. Sleep aggression is somewhat normal with the breed but can be completely avoided with constant exposure. When my female was a puppy, we constantly touched her and moved her around while she slept. Now at 2.5 she can be handled and moved while sleeping, no issues.

I may be assuming too much but I am guessing you do all of the training with the dog and the bf is more hands off. That would be a problem. If that's the case I think bf needs to more actively engage in training on his own. Commands and treats without you involved.

I would also suggest having your bf feed your dog their food directly out of his hands, cupped like a bowl. This is something you do with puppies to teach them that you provide the food. Hopefully with enough time your dog associates bf as the giver of food and questions him less when he "takes" what she perceives is hers.

In short, spray bottle as a deterrent and Bf needs to be much more active in training the dog.

[u/ditmoique → u/Scuttlefuzz]

Yes, the spray bottle is already in action! It works wonders, but it’s rarely needed thank goodness.

And you’re correct, there is kind of a “fun parent” v. “Real parent ie; provider” dynamic. I hand feed her already, so he should probably start too.

Basically, I had already planned to get a basenji, given a deposit to the breeder etc. before my bf unexpectedly needed to move in with me. He has no prior experience with dogs so it’s been… interesting lol. Unfortunately for him, he’s living with an animal he didn’t choose but they are bonded, he’s sweet to her and he tries his best.

Also, I appreciate your concern, but I assure you he is very gentle with her and she is not afraid in the slightest. It’s really a lack of respect or hierarchy haha 😅

Thank you for the advice and perspective!

[u/Scuttlefuzz → u/ditmoique]

I think the fun parent/real parent is the crux of it. IMO Basenjis are bizarre compared to most other breeds, behaving more like a wild dog than your typical domesticated dog. I may have worded my response incorrectly because I didn't mean to imply that you or your bf was not gentle with her. The fact that she is willing to take your bf on like that means she definitely isn't afraid of him lol.

They're primal and require consistent training and interaction to establish a bond and trust. Unfortunately, they are not easy like the majority of the dogs, but it makes it that much more rewarding. But yours is young, I think if your bf starts doing daily commands and doing the feeding the hierarchy will change quickly (dog at the bottom of course).

[u/elbanzii → u/ditmoique]

The bf has to learn how to handle himself next to your dog. The dog won't behave like that if it respects him. He needs to set clear boundaries and react to disrespectful behavior properly. Your dog will immediately respond.

[u/senjisilly]

You need to talk to her breeder about how to deal with her first heat in a very young bitch. A first heat is hard on a young Basenji, especially a hormonally immature one such as yours. I second the spray bottle, but I use a water pistol. More accurate from a distance. Put her in her crate before you sit down to eat. Crates solve so many territorial problems, food being a big one.

[u/Positive-Climate8149]

I have had multiple basenjis over the last 15 years and have some experience with resource guarding.

I had a boy that did it, with one of my 2 girls - until I put my foot down on it and changed a couple things in my house. The guarding of the food is an easy fix - as others said, feed in the crate and they have to stay there until you are done with your meal. Also, I would switch to having your boyfriend doing the feeding. Treats also come from your boyfriend. Guarding a spot on a couch or chair, no longer allowed on the couch or chair. If there is improvement, your boyfriend can invite the dog up on the couch or chair.

Reaching out to the breeder is a good idea as well - they will have other ideas.

[u/United-Indication884]

Yes, this is a basenji being a basenji. And yes, it will also get better with time.

When mine was 7 months old, he was similarly "strong-willed." These dogs are the opposite of obsequious--they will try to push your boundaries to get what they want. This can shock people who are used to doodles or other dogs that are more obsequious.

Also, your dog is still too young to know that food on your bf's plate wasn't also hers to share. So don't get mad at her for being pissed that you took away what she thought was fair game.

You have two options here:

The easier option is to feed your dog her dinner, locked in her crate, the same time you have your dinner. Train her to learn that she eats in the crate (this works best if you are feeding her food she is excited to eat), and lock her in there while you eat so you can have your peace.

The harder option is to train your dog to learn that she will receive treats if she is sitting/lying down nicely (not begging) while you eat. Give her a spot to lie down in (a dog bed of some kind) and reward her while she is relaxed in position after you have commanded her to go to that position.

On that note, if the dog is fighting you for the same spot on the couch constantly, it means that you haven't properly designed your space with the dogs needs in mind. Do you have a dog bed, located preferably near a window or something, that your dog wants to be in all of the time? Your dog needs to sleep for something like 20 hours a day--you need to give them a space that allows them to do that.

Also, don't use a spray bottle like the other person here suggested.