my dog attacks people for no reason

[that_figures5]

My 1 year old Basenji, Riley, is very aggressive. 20 minutes ago (at about 10:30 pm) my brother went in my room to get my year book. Riley was under the bed, butmy brother didnt know that. When he opened the door the dog tried to attack him. My brother was quick enough to move back before he got ahold of him, though. If it was my littler brother, he would have bitten him. Me and my mom and dad dont know what to do about it. He has done it quite a few times. How can we get it to stop? It usually happens at night when Im laying down, or when he has food and theres a bunch of people around.

Thanks in advance

[binka_nugget]

Does he know that he's not the pack leader? It sounds like he's food agressive and is best to not bother him while eating. If you want him to stop eating for some reason, you should offer him something with equal or greater value to him and trade.

[that_figures5]

I can do anything while hes eating, if I wanted to i could eat the same thing. Its just when other people are around. But thats not my main problem, the aggression for no reason is. Thanks, though.

[clara4457]

Get thee to a professional. I sounds as if the pup is protection aggressive. I would highly suggest you call a professional animal behaviorist/trainer to evaluate the dog and help you with a behavior modification program.

How old is your little brother? I would definitely not let him be alone with the dog at anytime.

In the meantime, I would put him on a Nothing in Life is Free (NILIF) program. The dog must work for everything. He should do a sit before you take him for a walk. He should sit before he gets his food. He should sit/down before he gets any petting. Have everyone in the house follow this. Do not let him up on furniture or your bed unless you or someone else in the household gives him permission (and then only if he has done a desired behavior first). You might want to put a lead or a head halter on him for better control while you are following this program.

Also, do not physically reprimand the pup - in a "status challenged" dog, that will backfire and would make him more nervous and aggressive.

Most dogs that show aggression do it because they are unsure of their status in the household and try to establish dominance over people they feel are on the same footing as them. Your pup needs to learn that the people of the house are on higher status.

I also have an aggressive dog (to my other dog rather than people thank God) and got a great deal of information and knowledge when an animal behaviorist came to my house to evaluate my furbabies.

Good Luck - and welcome to Pet Talk! If I can help at all, feel free to PM me.

[Tonya]

In the meantime, I would put him on a Nothing in Life is Free (NILIF) program.

Hey! That sounds like a good program; I think I will put my husband and son on it too! ;)

Be persistant, that_figures5. Clara's plan sounds like it could work. I never tried that with my dog. I had an agressive dog once that I wound up having to put down. I don't have any good advice because, I wasn't successful. (obviously) The one thing I can say and strongly feel is don't ever trust your dog again. Even if you and a behavioralist work with him and he seems good for a year...you never know. That was the mistake I made. Rosco was good for so long, that I thought he was reformed and trusted him again.