Skip to content
Basenji Forums
  1. Home
  2. Behavioral Issues
  3. Aggression with older dogs

Aggression with older dogs

Behavioral Issues
  • J

    We live near several parks and often see other dogs. Dexter appears to be fine with the smaller breeds, and gets tons of socialization in puppy class (he is fine with other puppies). However, Dexter has had two incidents with bigger dogs, coincidentally both being pit bulls.

    While I know there is a negative stereotype regarding pit bulls, they were both very timid. Dexter passed both of them in the park (different days) and they stopped to greet him. Upon doing so, Dex chose to jump up and put his paws on them, showing his teeth as I pulled him away.

    Thankfully, both dogs just backed away and moved on, but I am concerned with this habit. I want him to be able to be greeted by other dogs in the park and not have any worries about his reaction. Any thoughts/advice on this?

    0
  • MacPackM

    Is Dexter intact? How about the pits? That might be a contributing factor.

    Anne in Tampa

    Chipley, Missy & Lucky

    Topper, Nicky & Eddie in the clouds

    0
  • J

    I didn't notice on the Pits. But yes, Dexter will be intact until probably August.

    That is a great point though, thanks!

    0
  • lvossL

    Why do you want Dexter to be greeted by strange dogs while on walks?

    I know this is a goal of many dog owners but why? We do not warmly greet every stranger we pass on the street and yet it is our expectation for our dogs.

    My observation of my adult dogs is that they are indifferent toward other dogs. They show no interest in greeting them and would prefer to carry on with their own business. If people ask if their dogs can greet mine, I say no. Mine do have dog friends but it is a small group of dog appropriate dogs that they meet up with to go for country walks. Even within the group some of my adults choose not to interact much or not with everyone in the group.

    If he is not reactive upon seeing other dogs but is content to just move on without interaction, I would not necessarily work to change that behavior. If he is reactive towards other dogs then there are things you can work on so he chooses to instead move on without interacting.

    0
  • P

    I totally agree with Ivoss - why expect a dog to like every other dog. Mine too, will ignore other dogs they don't want to know.

    0
  • dmeyD

    I have noticed that Ayo tends to greet other dogs by "slapping them" with his paws or jumping up. I have also noticed that sometimes growling occurs when I pull him back, as if he is reacting to me pulling him, suddenly becoming aggressive. Ive noticed that sometimes if I don't pull it doesn't happen.

    0
  • KipawaK

    @lvoss:

    Why do you want Dexter to be greeted by strange dogs while on walks?

    I know this is a goal of many dog owners but why? We do not warmly greet every stranger we pass on the street and yet it is our expectation for our dogs.

    Wow…. great comment! We do so many things to try to humanize our dogs that are not natural for them.

    Fran Harder, BAB

    With Barney in my heart

    0
  • S

    Has Dexter had any basic obedience classes?

    Sharron Hurlbut

    BRAT, basenji rescue

    Evergreen basenji club

    Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue

    0

Suggested Topics

  • L

    Aggressive towards other dogs

    Behavioral Issues
    17
    0 Votes
    17 Posts
    2k Views
    J
    Sparkle Barkle came into heat in April. Logan went nuts! I was traveling so my wife was saddled with the mayhem. Mayhem doesn't begin to describe the situation. Sparkle should be coming in again within days, I hope, and unfortunately, he won't get any love this time either. He's gonna be a massive handful for at least a MONTH. I'm not traveling this time, so it's all on me. Cross your fingers for Tri females. I want three!
  • E

    Basenji aggression with smaller dogs

    Behavioral Issues
    11
    0 Votes
    11 Posts
    4k Views
    ZandeZ
    Basenjis' function in the wild is to go after small game. I expect mine to hunt (and kill if they catch them) squirrels and rabbits. Other dogs are a no-no ! Mine know I do not tolerate aggression to other dogs, regardless of their size. We are just back from a long walk in the forest where my two ran free and hunted (abortively, nothing caught) with a Cocker Spaniel. We met and chatted with lots of other dogs of all shapes and sizes and their owners . Humans stopped to chat, dogs did the normal meet, greet and sniff and there was not a single cross word. The only trainer mine have ever had is their own pack alpha - ME ! Do not let aggressive behaviour take hold. Nip it in the bud NOW.
  • G

    Aggression toward small dogs

    Behavioral Issues
    26
    0 Votes
    26 Posts
    13k Views
    eeeefarmE
    @CanisBasenjius: And then there of course is your key phrase, "if the dog has been properly trained with the fence". Many are poorly trained with the fence and, IME, many are willing to run through it given a good enough reason. Just one more reason I dislike them. Gotta say, I agree with everyone else that has said, "Get a physical fence." If you had one, OP, this would never have happened. That is indeed the key phrase, and I should have emphasized it more. Of course, if a small dog teased at the fence when the confined dog was still in training, you bet an association could result! And I would agree some dogs certainly do learn to run through invisible fence. I have a friend with one of those. Two of her three (non Basenjis) never do it, one will with sufficient provocation. She knows she will get zapped, but she just runs fast and takes the punishment to get at those darn coyotes! To the original point, I don't have a handy dog example, but my friend's stallions have not learned to dislike mares in heat because they get zapped trying to get at them. They know it is the fence and they know they are going to get a jolt, but a mare flashing right by the fence is sometimes just too much temptation! They don't go through the fence, however. Gallagher has a way of changing your mind. :) However, they have no issues breeding the same mares when the fence is not in the way, and show no difference in attitude toward them and other mares that have not been close to the fence, so I would say there is no confusion there in terms of the cause of the shock. Of course, horses may be smarter than the average dog….. In the city, I think an actual physical fence is pretty much a necessity. In the country, depending on circumstances, maybe not so much.
  • DaiseyDukeD

    Sudden Aggression Toward Other Dogs

    Behavioral Issues
    13
    0 Votes
    13 Posts
    6k Views
    D
    Is the Rat Terrier teaching her bad habits that she did not have before? I have found some JRTs/RTs at the dog parks to be very barky and so playful that sometimes they will not leave the other dogs alone-keep bothering them to play. Jennifer
  • Chealsie508C

    Oakley has food aggression in the presence of other dogs

    Behavioral Issues
    24
    0 Votes
    24 Posts
    13k Views
    Chealsie508C
    Working with Oakley..progress is slow but had promising results during our "boarder stay"…he instantly remember the dog who we had as a 8-12 week puppy...he had moments of snarkiness which are very typical for him, coming too Close when he's sleeping, after he's played for awhile..as far as the food goes it was better than expected. He seemed ok to eat in the kitchen with her as long as he ate first...the only troublesome moments were in anticipation of the meal as I was fixing their bowls, he would go after her and snark and bite but not viciously..it was stern, don't get me wrong but he seemed not to take it to the next level which he would have done with a dog he didn't know. The bigger issue was when "I" was eating..my food sparked definite territorialsm, he would get aggressive but still with a stop filter..he wouldn't allow her near me and she knew to backoff and stay alway. I did end up crating him during my meals when he got too stimulated. Overall, I was surprised to see he didn't viciously try to hurt her but he definitely displayed inappropriate behaviors (for what I'd want to see in the future). I'm pleased it was better than expected and have a better direction in training
  • C

    Problems with other dogs

    Behavioral Issues
    9
    0 Votes
    9 Posts
    3k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    djaan, how about removing your spam link… then people might think your posts are serious.