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Canine Behavior/Alpha dog with other dogs

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Expert: - 1/25/2008


Question
Our Basenji is 1 year old and our breeder wants to show him, so he is not neutered...as of yet..He is great with our family, and our female, spayed Basenji.  However, when out and about, or at the dog park he has increasingly aggressive, alpha type, behavior.  HELP...he and our friends' dogs really had a go at it today, and we don't want this behavior to escalate any further.  He's signed up for obiedience classes starting next month, but will that help the aggressiveness with other dogs????

Answer
First, your Basenji won't do very well in the breed ring (show ring) when exhibiting active aggression toward other dogs.  I suggest you talk to the breeder.  Second, the Basenji (especially the male) is very well known to be intolerant of other dogs, and dog to dog aggression in this breed is not uncommon.  I would keep him away from the dog park altogether right now, since each occurrence of aggression toward other dogs will teach him more about how powerful it is.  Obedience classes are fine but NOT if they use PUNISHMENT such as choke collars, electronic collars, and other such devices.  The Basenji requires positive reinforcement training.  You might want to start with a Halti (head collar) and a regular collar.  Do NOT lead the dog around by the nose; rather, use the Halti to turn his head and then use the regular collar to lead him.  It's unlikely you can rehabilitate this dog to the point where he will accept all other dogs on sight, but you certainly can rehabilitate some of this problem.

Canine Behavior

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Jill Connor, Ph.D.

Expertise

I have spent my entire professional life rehabilitating the behavior of the domestic dog and I can answer any question regarding any behavior problem in any breed dog. If you are a caring, committed owner and need advice, I'm here for you. THERE ARE NO QUICK FIXES for serious behavioral issues; not only is it unprofessional to offer same, it is also unethical. IF I ASK YOU SUBSEQUENT QUESTIONS, I NEED YOU TO INTERACT WITH ME. More information equals more credible answers and a more successful outcome. If you want ANSWERS THAT WORK, participate in any way I request. I'm quite committed to working on this site for YOUR benefit and the benefit of YOUR DOG. Help me in any way you can.

Experience

30 years of solving serious behavior problems in domestic dogs; expert in dog to human aggression; Internet columnist for ThePetChannel.com for 5 years; former radio talk show host, WHPC.FM, Garden City, NY "Bite Back" (1995 through 2000). List owner, international animal behavior experts, K9Shrinks@egroups.com. Seminar leader: "Operant Conditioning and Learning"; "Aggression in The Domestic Dog"; "Solving Problem Behaviors" -- conducted for various training facilities on Long Island from 1993 through 2000. Former clinical director of "Behavioral Abnormalities" in conjunction with Mark Beckerman, DVM, Hempstead, New York.

Organizations
Member, APDT (UK); Psychologists in Ethical Treatment with Animals

Publications
Harcourt Brace Learning Direct: "The Business of Dog Training" "The Fail Safe Dog: Brain Training, not Pain Training"

Education/Credentials
Ph.D., UC Berkeley

Past/Present Clients
Board of Directors: Northeast Dog Rescue Connection; The Dog Project; Sav-A-Dog Foundation; etc. Pro Bono counselor: Little Shelter Humane Society My practice is presently limited to forensics. I diagnose cause of dog bite, based upon testimony before the Court, for attorneys and insurance companies litigating dog bites, including fatal injuries. I also do pro bono work for bona fide rescue organizations, humane societies, et al, regarding such analysis in an effort to obtain release for dogs being held for death in municipal shelters in the US.

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