I was a little pre-occupied earlier today, and Doodle displayed her displeasure at my constant delays... how? She got up on the sofa and did this little prancing-dancing thing. Like she was saying, "haha, look at me misbehaving". LOL oh yeah.... if that is her "breaking bad", I'm in trouble, she's got my heart!
Jack is Racist…
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While a sensitive topic, very interesting convo we have here
My sense is that it's very much a socialization issue as well. If you & your dog lived in a warm climate they wouldn't recognize people in large parks with scarves & hats & gloves & they may have a reaction to that.
I didn't think though that dogs could see color the way we do…I know for sure they can decipher through forms, shapes, scents but I'm not sure about skin color though.
Or perhaps the other reason could just be that the previous owner reacted differently to people of color...the same way that sometimes single females will have a reaction while walking alone at night & a man approaches. She may be just a little bit jumpy. A lot of people initially feel intimidated by husband without him saying a word simply because he's just so large :eek: :eek: 6'5 dark complexion, who would know that he wouldn't hurt a fly & is actually pretty soft spoken & definitely the calmer one of the pack LOL
Topaz definitely took her time getting to know him...she clung to me first. C3PO was like a magnet to him
AND yes my dogs are racist too!!! They hate anything non-basenji!
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Most people agree they can see shades of grey. So a red hat would have a different hue than a green hat. It would be the same with people-shades of grey.
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My Buddy (not basenji) does not like anyone outside of his few favorite people who is wearing black. My brother lives with us all summer, he wears black all the time and Buddy has yet to warm up to him. He's fine with anyone as long as you're not wearing black.
Corky loves EVERYONE. -
All of the Bs I've had (3 total) were ok with all different types of people except for those with disabilities where they were either in wheel chairs or it affected how they walked. So that gets embarassing when we're on walks and my Bs go into "defense mode." This happens if we pass someone who even just has a slight limp. The male I have now (Tyler) also can't stand little furry dogs. He does much better with large, shorthaired dogs. Does anyone know why this is? Does he see the little dogs as more like prey?
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The male I have now (Tyler) also can't stand little furry dogs. He does much better with large, shorthaired dogs. Does anyone know why this is? Does he see the little dogs as more like prey?
OMG Jackers LOVES little critters like squirrels, he chases them (I'm sure he'd attack them if he could) and our neighbors have a couple of Chihuahuas, and the one with longer fur…well, Jack thinks hes a squirrel! and attempts to get him! I definatly think Jack sees them as prey... poor things. lol
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I didn't think though that dogs could see color the way we do…I know for sure they can decipher through forms, shapes, scents but I'm not sure about skin color though.
It is an interesting topic. I've read some early accounts of Basenji's in Africa on the Africa Stock Project OnLine library that the visitor claimed the Basenji's in the villages where afraid of white people. Now that may be that persons opinion. They may have been afraid of them whether they were white or non white, they were strangers to them.
I think they get used to whomever they grow up around and more specifically who feeds them….....do they see skin color????.......don't know.
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I Even if they only see black and white or shades of gray, etc. There will be a depth of light/darkness difference, and they certainly can see that.
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I wonder too, if it is a distinct smell that certain people give off that somehow is a connection as to why they respond differently to different races…
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Actually, I had a boxer who hated, absolutely hated black coloured dogs, and Jack Russells. The only time he would ever break a command was for a Jack Russell.
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Be a bit planfull if you can and elist some non-white friends to help out. First on the day before you are doing this - don't feed your dog - the next day make sure that ONLY the non-white people have food in their hand. No talk, no coaxing - just sit around and visit with their hands in front with wonderful treat.
You may have to do this a couple of times - but they need to associate nice things with what they react too.
Good luck
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This is definitely interesting stuff…it's amazing what they get used to & exposed to. I would definitely do some counter conditioning to those people he reacts to...pick a really high value treat (chicken w/cheese or crispy bacon) and ONLY feed it when that person comes around.
If you work on this hard then Jackers will eventually look for your non-white friends in hopes that he gets his yummy treat!!
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I was so proud of him today at the dog park, a really nice african american man sat at the same picnic table as me and Jack had NO problem with him what so ever, not even a slight response…lol. I was so proud...lol. Its only certain people a certain times that he had problems with...lol. but hes doing so much better!! yeay
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My girl hates Hispanic people for some reason… Among white, african or asian people, she's fine, but the second a Hispanic person comes by, she's a growling, barking (mines a mutt) mess. We've already determined she was probably abused at her last home- she cowers if you raise your hand at all. And now we're thinking it might have been a Hispanic owner since she freaks out like that.
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I think they all have "buttons" that some people tend to push… maybe body language or manner..... regardless of race.... I know that mine will take an instant dislike to so people... regardless of race... same with other dogs... My Jamari really disliked all other brindles..... he developed an "I don't like" you to a brindle puppy as a puppy himself... and for quite a while all brindles represented that one....
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WELL, in a way, I'm SO relieved that Jack isn't the only dog like this and I'm not the only angry and embarrassed owner…lol. I was so afraid that Jack was alone on this one. I know ill have to keep working on it and punishing him for any unnecessary actions!! But i know now that other dog owners at the dog park and such at least understand when Jack acts out at some dog he just "decides" he doesn't like...(but it still frustrates me!!)
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I think you're right Pat..it's definitely behavior triggered with Topaz. Anyone who stands facing her & reaches over her head is very very BAD for her. She'll even flinch when I put my hand over her head without even touching her! It's something about that position that makes her nervous.
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A lot of times the hand thing is because hands have been used in a negative manner. Rescue dogs may have been hit, the dog may have been told the are 'bad' (they have learned bad is something negative) while a finger has been shook at them, hands have been used to shove them in a crate, etc. A lot of times we do these things inadverantly. Many dogs do not like this period. No one should reach over a dogs head, it makes them feel vulnerable-especially smaller dogs. Just an FYI.
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Arlene you're right however 9 out of 10 peopl will "pet" a dog by tapping them on the head or rubbing their heads. It's hard to break people out of this habit. I always have to warn people…contrary to popular misconception..dogs don't like being pet on their heads :eek:
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Arlene you're right however 9 out of 10 peopl will "pet" a dog by tapping them on the head or rubbing their heads. It's hard to break people out of this habit. I always have to warn people…contrary to popular misconception..dogs don't like being pet on their heads :eek:
That is so true…. it is so hard to get people to understand that they need to be at the dogs level.. and NOT "hanging" over top of them... They need to let the dog know they are there and extend the hand for them to sniff first before petting...
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I live in a very depressed neighborhood. We are the only white family on the block and all my neighbors are either black or latino. What I have noticed is that my black neighbors tend to be more afraid of dogs. Since dogs can sense fear, they tend to attack it.
I think this may have to do with many of my latino neighbors being fresh off the boat from farms in their home country. Being farm people, they are naturally more comfortable with animals of all kinds. My black neighbors have been living as renters for generations and most of their exsposure to dogs has been through the untrained, under-socialized pit bull "guard dogs" of friends and neighbors.
