Skip to content

Why? Nip & Brawl

Behavioral Issues
  • @barkless513:

    Jazz is rarely in the mood. Tobias is VERY persistant. Is there a way to encourage playtime so both can get along?

    This seems to be how my two get into spats. As advised, they will work it out and too much intervention can lead to unresolved issues that may get worse. I am taking the advice to only intervene when the noise goes on too long or when I perceive a WWIII eruption. It seems our interpretation of playtime is different than the canine way.

    Friday and Saturday, we've enjoyed the beautiful warm weather here in MI outside. I've taken my two to my nephew's fenced in yard where they are able to run and explore with his dog, Homer. They've gotten lots of exercise and seem to have released alot of energy. Today, we'll go for a long walk in the park, hopefully twice. Remember, "A tired Basenji is a good Basenji".

  • @Quercus:

    So….do you have a digital video camera? Or is that a feature on your regular digi cam? I will have to do this....I could make a video of Querk screaming his head off for y'all.

    Would love to see and hear Querk. It would be fun . . . to hear Basenji sounds. Their vocals are so different, it's cool.

  • Hackles up are normal for a Basenji, I have never seen it make a difference, means nothing about a serious fight or not, IMO… usually it is the noise, or lack of it... My Kristii yells all the time at my boy...ggg.... and she always has her hackle up... and she is all noise, no action....

    This is typical Basenji actions... when you have more then one... I have always told people get ready for the noise.. that you never had before.... sounds like they are going to kill each other... but they are not....

    One thing that I can say is that if you ever see that "glazed" look in one or the other to where they are totally fixed on the other one.. that to me is a sure sign that something nasty is going to happen...

  • @tanza:

    Hackles up are normal for a Basenji, I have never seen it make a difference, means nothing about a serious fight or not, IMO… usually it is the noise, or lack of it... My Kristii yells all the time at my boy...ggg.... and she always has her hackle up... and she is all noise, no action....

    When the hackles are up on mine, something has them aggitated. Doesn't mean….fight.......aggitated.;)

  • @Basenji_Boy:

    When the hackles are up on mine, something has them aggitated. Doesn't mean….fight.......aggitated.;)

    yeah…between girls at our house, it does mean something if it continues for any length of time. Sometimes it just means, you are sniffing me, should I be concerned?...but if the girls are circling, sniffing, and ridgie, there could be trouble.

  • @Quercus:

    yeah…between girls at our house, it does mean something if it continues for any length of time. Sometimes it just means, you are sniffing me, should I be concerned?...but if the girls are circling, sniffing, and ridgie, there could be trouble.

    Amen to that!:D :D ridgie I love that! :D :D

  • Tobias is always ridgie. When at play that is. I have seen him aggressive only toward humans, strangers, and only when he is safe inside the house, and the humans are outside. LOL I know he would run if he were outside with the stranger. Or at least I think he would, as he does not like confrontation, or srangers. Question, it seems that hackles up is happy time for Tobias, tail wagging, mouth open, barooing all the way. How do we really know if these guys are angry?

  • I think the best word for ridginess is "arousal" some dogs get very aroused during play…some don't. Most dogs get aroused during an aggressive display. But before a real fight a dog is always aroused, guaranteed.

  • As is with children - vying for mommy-daddy attention is pretty normal. Duke and Daisy do that. Duke used to have all the attention from everyone. Good morning kisses & rubs - everything for him. Now we have Daisy - and she needs her fair share of attention. When I choose Daisy first, I see poor Duke looking slighted watching and waiting for his turn - I kind of feel bad for him. They try to be the first by shoving themselves in front. I switch off who's first. I don't think this is a big problem - but does it matter who is chosen first to give attention?

  • Some trainers/behaviorists will say yes….I am not so sure. I try to do tandem petting and greeting when dogs are sorting out their issues. If you have to choose one, I would definitely give Duke the attention first.

  • The dog that was there first, IMO should be greeted first… and to keep it as a routine.... as with most animals, most things become habit....

  • @tanza:

    The dog that was there first, IMO should be greeted first… and to keep it as a routine.... as with most animals, most things become habit....

    you mean the dog that lived there first, right? Or do you mean the dog that gets to you first?

  • They both get there first, then the shoving begins. They can't be kissed and hugged at the same time, so I'll give Duke his first b/c he's the older and wiser. Makes sense - Thanks for your replies.

  • @Duke:

    They both get there first, then the shoving begins. They can't be kissed and hugged at the same time, so I'll give Duke his first b/c he's the older and wiser. Makes sense - Thanks for your replies.

    This is what we do with Querk. And we often have as many as four hopping around at the same time :rolleyes:

    But he is VERY vocal when the other dogs get in the way of his greeting. I am kind of envisioning that is what is going on with Duke.

    Another example of status being fluid…all the dogs defer to his complaining during greeting...but all the girls can take things away from him, and guard him away from their sleepy space. And they all greet him in a subordinate way...so it is really, really hard to guess who is in charge of what....kinda like the federal government ;)

  • Funnily enough, my 3 B's will crowd me with the Boxenji constantly getting in the way. I will always cuddle Shadow first, then Sugar, then Zina, and then Dimisi-in the order I got them. The old girl Calli waits on the chair for me to come and see her and get her cuddles and kisses-I guess she doesn't want to get into the fray at the door and she knows if she waits she gets more attention!

  • @Quercus:

    you mean the dog that lived there first, right? Or do you mean the dog that gets to you first?

    Yes, the dog that lived there first

Suggested Topics

  • Nipping

    Behavioral Issues
    29
    0 Votes
    29 Posts
    10k Views
    FlashF
    @ember-the-basenji I relate to your comment about your basenji being aggressive towards white fluffy dogs. I wonder why these dogs attract their attention.
  • B nipping at children

    Behavioral Issues
    5
    0 Votes
    5 Posts
    33k Views
    lvossL
    Children are often scary for dogs, they don't move the same as adults, they don't act the same as adults, so dogs don't know how to behave around them. You may want to check out this webinar that is coming up next week through the Family Paws Parent Education, http://jennifershryock.enterthemeeting.com/m/PS15862X
  • Nipping / Biting

    Behavioral Issues
    17
    0 Votes
    17 Posts
    8k Views
    eoyE
    Wow thanks sinbaje!
  • Nipping

    Behavioral Issues
    3
    0 Votes
    3 Posts
    2k Views
    lvossL
    Since she is wandering off and not continuing to push for your attention it sounds like she is reading your turn away corrrectly. When you turn away from a dog it is a distance increasing signal. When you turn back and invite her back to you, what does she do? Remember she is still young and learning self-control. This sort of behavior is related to your other post about her having difficulty holding body position for extended periods of time. She is still learning self control. I like Levels because it breaks the training up into smaller parts, http://dragonflyllama.com/%20DOGS/Levels/ByLevel/1Level.html
  • UPDATE on Bitten & Constant Growling

    Behavioral Issues
    24
    0 Votes
    24 Posts
    7k Views
    DukeD
    About the JR type - Duke is probably Basenji-Jack Russell. I'm tellin' ya - I thought he was the craziest puppy on earth! He was about 12 weeks old and didn't know what he was. But thought it would be my advantage to train him young. Darn if all my efforts went down the drain with him. This was not a typical domesticated dog - at all. (More like a devil dog from hell.) But he was mine and thought he was better off with me than anywhere else, 'cause he was going to be trained one way or another with love. Today - he is well trained, but like was mentioned, he typically will respond to commands with the attitude of what it's worth to him. He's now almost 2 1/2 years old - sometimes obedient…sometimes rebelious and way happier since we added Daisy to the family. direy01 - kudos to you for loving Joey. I know the training is hard work - and exhausting - but your perseverence and repitition will be returned with pride and joy.
  • Nipping issue

    Behavioral Issues
    16
    0 Votes
    16 Posts
    5k Views
    wizardW
    Yes that is similar. When EL D nipped my brother it was never really hard (okay so he'll have a bruise) and he backed off pretty quick once he let my brother have it. But it is unnerving because it is unpredictable.