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Why? Nip & Brawl

Behavioral Issues
  • tanzaT

    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...

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

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  • B

    @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.;)

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  • QuercusQ

    @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.

    Andrea Walters

    Quercus Basenjis

    NW Ohio

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  • B

    @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

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  • barkless513B

    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?

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  • QuercusQ

    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.

    Andrea Walters

    Quercus Basenjis

    NW Ohio

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  • DukeD

    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?

    Jill

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  • QuercusQ

    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.

    Andrea Walters

    Quercus Basenjis

    NW Ohio

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  • tanzaT

    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....

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

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  • QuercusQ

    @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?

    Andrea Walters

    Quercus Basenjis

    NW Ohio

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  • DukeD

    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.

    Jill

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  • QuercusQ

    @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 ;)

    Andrea Walters

    Quercus Basenjis

    NW Ohio

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  • nomrbddgsN

    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!

    Arlene, the Basenji Brats with the Boxenji![](images/smilies/biggrin.png "Big Grin")

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  • tanzaT

    @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

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

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    I've tried this a few times. I think he's getting it. Although my husband is having a tougher time with it. I'm not sure he's using the right body language. I immediately stop my attnetion. And when he starts to play nicer I give him my attention again. I think C3PO is too rough for everyone in the house. Even Topaz my female B sometimes walks away from him when he's too rowdy. The stranger thing is that SHE (2yrs) is actually younger than him (3yrs). She'll sometimes get upset & growl & nip at him.