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Basenji Watchdog

Behavioral Issues
  • J

    MY b mix (basenji & whippet) is a great watchdog. She will growl and bark (she's mixed - she can bark & barooo) at someone she is unsure of… however, she does it incessantly EVEN after I tell her it is okay and to stop. It has become embarrassing to have her bark at neighbors, friends, and even an employee at the pet store. I know Basenjis are "aloof and cautious" but to be so unsure of someone, even people she has met previously seems odd to me. Anybody else have this experience? Any suggestions on how to make her understand when it's okay and she doesn't have to be so "cautious" and "protecting?"

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  • J

    I would be very interested in your replies, too, as I have a four year old border collie mix who still growls when my mom comes into our part of the house. She strides behind her, growling all the way. It seems to be friendly growling. She also barks at my brother who has been visiting every week for all her life! She likes him, but she always barks and puts her hair up when he first comes in. (she is part whippet, too.)

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  • tanzaT

    Please remember that your mixes have parts of other dogs also, so it is not just the Basenji part that is causing this…. Whippets are total barkers.. and a Border Collie is a totally intense breed. Could this be with both dogs that they are unsure of who is the leader and feel that you need to be protected?... even if people they know..? I would say this more about the B/Whippet mix then the Border Collie.... Your BCmix could just be "talking to your Mom?"

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

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  • jys1011J

    It's hard to make an assessment just by barking reactions alone…what else is the dog doing??

    Does she lick her lips? What about the eyes cold or soft?? Body posture stiff or fluid?? It all depends on what the whole dog is saying...

    Basenji Mom of C3PO & TOPAZ

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  • MantisM

    Is this only on the leash?

    I would suggest taking small stinky treats with you. When you see the behavior beginning, address your dog into a command without acknowledging hte behavior.

    If you hear the growlies, say "Look", when you get eye contact give a treat. Show the treat and ask for a SIT.

    Distraction is the key. Dont acknowledge the behavior. Go to a busy place and practice.

    The LOOK command is great in many uncomfortable situations. It is training for attention or eye contact. Once you get that you can remove them from the situation. You may want to begin with the really stinky treats if you feel like distraction may be hard.

    Caesar and Cairo….the boys

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  • Capt_Jack_our_BasenjiC

    Jack makes a perfect watchdog. But he can REALLY be over the top sometimes. He is VERY protective of me esp. more so than for my hubby. Which is good. My husband is in the Navy so, when hes on 24 hr. duty. Jack makes me feel safe. but…(hush hush) heres my problem...Jack is racist...REALLY. and its not funny, and i DONT know why...but its a fact, he is only growling and bearing teeth and putting his hair up on his back when non-white people are around. (even in groups of ten+ people, he will pick out the races...WHY!!??)

    Kira, Aiden & Baby Bean on the Way!! & Our Perfect Basenji Boy, "Maverick" I Play for Keeps!!!![](images/smilies/biggrin.png "Big Grin")

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  • MantisM

    it is just socialization….my australian shepard was that way with men with facial hair because my dad and brother were always clean shaven....

    Caesar and Cairo….the boys

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  • V

    Basenji behaviors common ??

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    KipawaK
    I can only comment on my experiences with Kipawa, my first basenji, who is just shy of 2 years old. @viv58: 1. OBS #1: they were only affectionate on their terms and didnt like to be petted or picked up.Is this more common than not. They wanted to be by you, but hands off for the most part. 2. OBS#2: Off the leash - they are unpredictable and may not come when called. Had some wild roaming experiences at the off-leash beach. Always kept treats -and 95% of the timeit worked.Can you train them to counter this? or is this a stretch ? 3. OBS#3: Not snuggly 4. OBS#4: Only looked me in the eye when I had food- everything was a distraction. 1. Kipawa is just an extremely affectionate dog. His affection for me is special, but he recognizes all family members and care aides who come into the house and enjoys their attention and gives it back. He loves being petted and adores being massaged, but has a preference for it being from someone in his 'pack' (family members and care aides). He will tolerate being picked up by anyone, but prefers it when I do it. He is a little uncomfortable when turned on his back, however, we practice this quite a bit and he's getting better at it, especially if tummy rubs are included. 2. The only areas Kipawa is off leash is in our backyard or dog parks that are fully fenced. For these places, he is predictable, because he is very used to them. He usually comes when called, but if it doesn't work, I carry the squeaker part of a squeaker toy with me, and that most always brings him back. If he needs to come to me based on an emergency situation (say he got onto a street by accident), I have a word/sound that I only use in emergency situations. He is excellent at responding to that. All this said, if he spotted a bunny in the dog park, I don't think the emergency recall would work. Based on his breeders seeing him this summer, they have indicated he has a very high prey drive. 3. Kipawa is super snuggly all the time and is also a 'velcro dog'. We are tightly bonded. He is on my lap when I watch TV, or at least laying against me. He sleeps under the blankets on my side of the bed. 4. He easily looks me in the eye. If I am talking to him, we have full eye contact. He enjoys when we give each other 'soft eyes' - the slow blinking a person/dog might do when fully relaxed or before settling down for a nap. If he is distracted (only happens outside) I use the command 'watch me' to get eye contact. Usually 95% success rate, but that would go down to zero should he see a bunny. I can't answer your other questions. Kipawa will be a solo dog in our home. As for the breeders, his breeders were Therese and Kevin Leimback (FoPaws Basenjis) from Washington state. We researched for a year before selecting them. Their breeding program concentrates a great deal on temperament. Hope this helps.
  • W

    FINALLY got my Basenji BUT…

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  • J

    Basenjis that can't stand other basenjis

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    wizardW
    My previous males never had an opportunity to meet other basenjis (outside their breeder kennel) so don't know if the experience with my current female is "typical" or not. The first time she encountered another, it was a tri-color older female that was a real bitch and instantly got aggressive (now whenever they see each other its "hackles up"). The first time I took her to a lure coursing event, mine was friendly enough until a little blind female came up and bit her. The second time I took her to a LGRA event, a lady came up behind us (while mine was trying to potty) with her tricolor female and her dog attacked mine. So now hackles go up any time another female comes within shouting distance.
  • renaultf1R

    While My Basenji Gently Wails…

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    lvossL
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  • 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.
  • SweetpeaelfS

    My Basenji is only aggressive towards other basenjis

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    agilebasenjiA
    You know, my boyz like dogs the same color as they are. Jet LOVES tri colored dogs - Berners, tri Aussies, etc. And last time they were at Anne's dog park, poor Digital was the only brindle basenji. Jet played with the basenjis and Diggie went and hung out with a brindle greyhound. Remember that Anne?