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Basenji behavior in September

Behavioral Issues
  • KipawaK

    Kipawa and I are now back from our weekend trip to Therese and Kevin Leimback's wonderful home. The weekend was filled with unbelievable hospitality, lots of basenjis, great folks, tons of good food, interesting basenji stories, helpful training tips and HOT weather! I'll post more on Kipawa's weekend, along with pictures, in another post. :) Here's what I experienced regarding the behaviors of the basenjis at the event, and how Kipawa's recent nipping might be answered by the actions I saw.

    Now granted, this was my first FoPaw's basenji event (it won't be my last :)), but from my perspective, a relative newbie to the breed, it seemed that whether it was the heat, or combination of heat and the time of year, there were a number of basenjis that were a little 'testy'. There was loud jostling between basenjis, and in all combinations of girls and boys. Some interactions sounded like two basenjis were getting skinned to death! However, when the dogs were separated by just calm wording ("alright boys, alright girls, that's enough now") there were no dogs that were injured or even looked injured. Everything seemed to be about 'posturing'.

    Kipawa, who was recently neutered in August, did get into a few of the scuffles, but not a mark was left on him. I would pretty much say that most of the basenjis made sure the other basenjis were aware that 'they' were there. With that many dogs so close to breeding season, I would think it odd NOT to see them doing this. Other than these 'boxing matches', all of the basenjis were really well behaved, a testament to the wonderful breeding program Therese and Kevin have.

    If I didn't think so beforehand, I do now - basenjis are 'drama queens', the boys maybe more so. At one point when Kipawa was in one of the dog runs, he got a foot 'caught' - well not really an 'it's impossible to get my foot out' caught. Still, the sound coming out of him was horrendous! Everyone ran over to see what the heck was going on. Therese calmly helped him out of his situation and he was perfectly fine. Definite over-reacting to get attention. :)

    So I do wonder if Kipawa's recent nipping is due to the 'time of the year'. And perhaps there was some resource guarding going on. Since the nipping, Kipawa has not done anything similar, even in the same situation of laying down near his Dad while Dad was eating, with care aides walking by him. That said, I have been working on him behaving in these situations.

    Fran Harder, BAB

    With Barney in my heart

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  • MacPackM

    Glad to hear that Kipawa is 'back to normal'! And yes, they certainly can be dramatic, in fact 'calling for help' because they 'might' be in a jam is pretty normal! And the noise they
    make when they spar…people think many dogs are being killed, when in fact 2 are boxing and at most, have a wet spot from saliva! Quite dramatic, altogether.

    Hope Kipawa keeps his sweetness and stays out of trouble!

    Anne in Tampa

    Chipley, Missy & Lucky

    Topper, Nicky & Eddie in the clouds

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  • P

    It was certainly a good experience for you to see all the Basenjis interacting and yes, very typical for boys during the mating season although I hadn't linked Kipawa's nipping to the time of year - having more than one boy I'm more used to them being edgy with each other with frustration rather than with people. Still to each his own and I certainly wouldn't discount Kipawa's nipping being due to this reason whether neutered or not.

    I'm pleased that ther've been no more incidents - and the experience has added to your 'basenji knowledge'.

    I laughed (kindly) to Kipawa's reaction to getting his foot caught. I find the males are more wimpy than the females! (Rather like the human kind perhaps!)

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  • renaultf1R

    @Patty:

    It was certainly a good experience for you to see all the Basenjis interacting and yes, very typical for boys during the mating season although I hadn't linked Kipawa's nipping to the time of year - having more than one boy I'm more used to them being edgy with each other with frustration rather than with people. Still to each his own and I certainly wouldn't discount Kipawa's nipping being due to this reason whether neutered or not.

    I'm pleased that ther've been no more incidents - and the experience has added to your 'basenji knowledge'.

    I laughed (kindly) to Kipawa's reaction to getting his foot caught. I find the males are more wimpy than the females! (Rather like the human kind perhaps!)

    +1 to all of this. I agree completely with Patty…during breeding season I notice the dogs are more edgy with each other, but not with people. As I wrote in the original thread, the only mouthing that I have noticed at all is a nibble of sorts (no biting, no blood, no bruising...more like a little pinch) - foreplay on the basenji boys part. That typically has only happened when I've returned from a dog show (and most likely am carrying "that scent" on my clothes. As soon as the clothes go in the wash, the nibbles stop. Drawing blood would be a real concern for me and I agree with Patty that I wouldn't chalk up Kipawa's behavior to breeding season - I think that too much stock is being placed on the time of year and not the actual behavior...but just my .02.

    Kipawa, please don't take this wrong...in my house if this behavior had happened, there is no way in heck that I would be allowing Kipawa, near his dad or care workers while food is being served - quite so soon...but that is just me. I know you are working with him, but it just seems a bit too fast for a miraculous turn around. Also, have you looked into a behaviorist? I hope I'm wrong and just want you to be careful - good luck with everything.

    I too laughed at Kipawa's drama to getting his foot caught. Both of my boys are the drama queens - the girls look at them both like, "what the heck is wrong with them". Quite funny actually.

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  • eeeefarmE

    @renaultf1:

    Kipawa, please don't take this wrong…in my house if this behavior had happened, there is no way in heck that I would be allowing Kipawa, near his dad or care workers while food is being served - quite so soon...but that is just me. I know you are working with him, but it just seems a bit too fast for a miraculous turn around.

    I agree. And I also don't think that you can just chalk it up to time of the year…....and even if you could, it is unacceptable behaviour. I think you are taking a chance unless you are watching him like a hawk while he is in the same situation that somehow triggered the behaviour in the first place. Actually, watching closely could give you a hint as to why it occurred, as well as the opportunity to step in and prevent it.....but you would have to be quick. Basenjis certainly are....

    Of course, it may be that he won't do anything while you are in the room, as that was part of the original conditions. Which sort of takes you back to square one.

    "In order to get along with a Basenji, you have to be at least half as smart as the dog!"

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  • Shaye's MomS

    I agree that Basenjis are drama queens (and kings I guess, from this thread). When going to the dog park, my two girls are clipped by 4' leads to grommets in the back of our SUV. They sometimes walk around each other and get tied up, and the "fights" they get into when that happens would make anyone think total death and destruction was the only thing on their minds. But when we get to the park and untangle them, there's never a mark on either one. Same when they are "play fighting" at home - the noise they make, especially the B-mix, is really scary until you realize no damage is being done, and they are not serious about the whole thing.

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  • C

    strange behavior

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    DebraDownSouthD
    First, yeah they do the flip and butt in face. I see it as invitation to play/chase mostly. Kind of shaking my head here over the rest. You already have a breed known for dominance and protectiveness of property/family with the Boerboel. Basenjis (I assume you mean 6.5 not 65 years old :) ) are not known for tolerating same sex. Sometimes they do, but not a sure bet. Plus, your Boerboel is still a puppy. By age 2 or 3, that compliance with the Basenji being alpha can go down the drain at a drop of a hat. That happens, and he hasn't killed the basenji... you have to keep 2 packs running, ensuring they never have contact. Then you bring in a mixed breed... which is all a Mastador is. No way on earth to know how much it will take after the lab side or the Mastiff. AND it's another male. So now you have potentially 3 dog aggressive male dogs, with 2 of them large enough to inhale the basenji. I am not sure about the breeders who placed the Boerboel, certainly not the owners letting you bring in the Mastador. I want my male dogs to have a chance of a peaceful, unstressful life. I think the chances in your home are already approaching really low numbers, and the Mastador is going to bring that closer to zero. The safety of that poor basenji is beyond precarious. I wouldn't want those 3 males in the most experienced of homes, one already fully ready to and experienced in running separate packs. I sincerely hope you reconsider the Mastador. And no, getting a female won't help. Until the Boerboel is fully mature and you have a handle on what your pack is, adding any dog is going to up the risk of issues.
  • K

    Basenji kisses?

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    CrazySenjiC
    Just 20 minutes ago Elliot was extra excited and running around and when he saw me he was SO excited he gave me a little kiss! I put a command to it ("kiss" lol) and praised him. I asked for another and he did it again! He got bored after the 5th or so time but I hope he remembers it! My Cody used to LOVE wet hair. If you sat down on the couch after a shower he would crawl behind you and rub himself on your head. It was both funny and annoying (much like a lot of basenji quirks).
  • basenjiprinceB

    Very bad behavior

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    Buddys PalB
    Hey Melissa, How did it go over the weekend? Did you get it to where the enclosed area can be his place while you are at work? I have had a B for 71/2 months now. They are unique on the one hand with some breed specifics, but a dog none the less. Any dog needs exercise and mental stimulation(esp B's! A tired Basenji is a Happy One!) and since they are social animals, they need companionship. It sounds like you are strapped financially like us all, but I can only offer you three alternatives: 1)doggy day care or a sitter, 2)another dog, 3)get him to a home where his needs will be met. It's not to be mean or belittle you, it is just that being fustrated is not healthy for you mentally or physically, nor your little boy.
  • H

    Basenji Help!!

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    V
    Move the crates to different rooms. The female won't be able to see what's going on. Give the male his food first, then feed the female a little later. Don't let them out of the crates at the same time.
  • P

    Male Basenji aggressive behavior towards owners

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    jessi76J
    @sharronhurlbut: Crating a dog when your at work and then when you sleep is way too much. I am not saying this is the case…but imo, if your home, have the dog with you. I agree… mostly. a dog should be with it's family but, young pups who do not yet know the rules of the house, should be crated IMO, mostly for their own safety. You can't very well supervise a pup when you're sleeping. however, I do think there is a middle ground to it... I crated my dog at night until he was about 7mths old, and 100% reliable in the house (no accidents). I always kept the crate right next to the bed though. with the exception of night hours, our dog was never crated for longer than 4 hrs at a time. our goal was always to achieve no need for the crate.. which we reached when he was around 2 yrs old. I think a crate is a wonderful TOOL, but it's just that, a tool, not a way of life. We still have one of our crates set up, and occasionally our dog will choose to use it, but the door is never shut.
  • BarklessdogB

    My Basenji training

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    jys1011J
    WOW!!!..Words to live by!! I commend you for all the effort it sounds like you've put into your dogs. I wish people were more like you…and your mantra should be placed on every B owner's refrigerator door :D :D It's all about knowing your dog & KNOWING their limitations. Respect is key and so is a no tolerance policy. At least that's how it is at our house! :) BTW-I went to a Basenji Fun Match...and A LOT of B's are bitchy snarky little fur balls. Rest assured yours are not the exception. Mine are exactly the same way but we work with them every day on this!