Dominance between 2 Basenjis

[Basenji_Boy]

I would agree with Andrea and add only that I look for the hackles standing up as a sign for me to step in.;) I have a male/female pair that have what some might view as confrontational vocalizations all the time…....mostly her. They're just talking and when the hairs stand up it's time for me to pay closer attention. I will say this Male/Female pair although very vocal with each other, have never had a serious fight.

[Quercus]

<_>

Really good point, BBoy! The hackles indicate arousal…a readiness for action...definitely a good cue to intervene before the dogs go to that place in their brain where they can't hear you anymore

Those of us that live with many (too many? ;)) basenjis are so aware all the time of what is going on between them, it is sometimes hard to describe to somebody else what it looks like right before a *real fight ;)_

[Basenji_Boy]

The hackles indicate arousal…a readiness for action...definitely a good cue to intervene before the dogs go to that place in their brain where they can't hear you anymore

Now that's funny! But so true!

Those of us that live with many (too many? ;)) basenjis are so aware all the time of what is going on between them, it is sometimes hard to describe to somebody else what it looks like right before a *real fight

Cleo starts licking her lips.:D I see that and I'm on her.:D

[Quercus]

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Yep, that's a calming signal that dogs give to each other to say 'I am starting to prepare to react if you don't change something that you are doing'. The lip licking for us starts before the hackles. I usually just say 'girls...what are you doing?' and the diffuses the situation. If hackles are up, I get up and place myself inbetween them, or call them over. I found that if I try to push or move them, or (G-d forbid!) grab their collars, things escalate. Such fun

[jys1011]

What great info from some VERY experienced people Its funny I was wondering the same thing recently….Topaz is pretty vocal during play too but I would just watch & see & let them figure it out & they do. During sleepy time C3 hates to be crowded & Topaz LOVES to cuddle & he gives such loud & mean snarls...but no hackles & no lip licking however if I come up to him & tell him to "be nice" he stops!

[Basenji_Boy]

Special Dogs, Special people.;)

[Basenji_Boy]

@jys1011:

however if I come up to him & tell him to "be nice" he stops!

He must know you are in charge…...that's great.

I use that same phrase......."be nice"!:)

[Vegas]

If there's any question, I just squirt 'em. It keeps them on their toes.:D

[Basenji_Boy]

@Vegas:

If there's any question, I just squirt 'em. It keeps them on their toes.:D

That is always an option…....squirt bottle's are very handy that way.:D

[JoeyQ]

What is the difference between lip licking when preparing for battle and lip licking in the middle of the night and seeming to be a bit antsy?

[Quercus]

@JoeyQ:

What is the difference between lip licking when preparing for battle and lip licking in the middle of the night and seeming to be a bit antsy?

Hmmm…it would all depend on context. What is happening in the middle of the night...does it happen out of the blue, like maybe dry mouth? Or does it happen when someone bumps into Joey while he is sleeping?

[JoeyQ]

No one bumps into him. He is in a bed on the floor. I will sometimes waked up to hear him smacking his lips. He has water all the time, so if his lips are dry, can he just not be bothered to get up and get a drink?

[Quercus]

<_>

Ours do this too…it's like they need to make a big drama production about needing a sip of water...they are probably hoping we will bring the bowl to them, like good slaves ;)_

[JoeyQ]

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! I get it now! Thanks for the insight!

[Basenji_Boy]

@Quercus:

Ours do this too…it's like they need to make a big drama production about needing a sip of water...they are probably hoping we will bring the bowl to them, like good slaves

Good Slaves…...too funny......but so true.:D

[Mantis]

my boy always picked on my girl. ight on her neck….preening her like a monkey and then going in for the chomps until she submitted through a yelp....in runs mom ...but when it came down to it, she could always throw him into a submission position with her choke hold...never anything viscious, just the "I am telling you I can kick your butt if I wanted too and it doesnt matter that I am smaller".

I always joked that you could take the girl out of the ghetto (puppymill rescue) but cant take the ghetto out of the girl, LOL

my rule of thumb for snarfy behavior is that once I can hear them growl talking during play they either have to go outside where they can start running or both have to lie down and hear that I am the alpha dog....

Most of the time they arent playing as rough as you think.....

The girls are always the alpha....LOL

[mahendra_suri]

In the wild canines will vy for dominance at an early age. They will play dominance games with lip licking, circling and hackles raised waiting for someone to end it. I won't. I let them fight until one screams. This usually ends the fight. If it doesn't, I will grab the victor by the nape, pin and place a firm grib over their throat. This gives them feeling of powerlessness they displyed over the other. That usually establishes dominance. Most importantly it tells the pack you are in charge and will have order. Fights from then on typically end when the first one cries.

My first Basenji was stubborn and thought she was dominate over me. The first 2 or 3 times I did this didn't work. Finally I squeezed her throat just hard enough and long enough to see the fear in her eyes. After that fights were few and far between. When they brawled after that and she always pinned the subordinates, they yelped and she would run to me for approval. Wanting to reinforce this behaviour, I praised her and gave her whatever started the fight. She would prance about and showboat to the other 2. Eventually she got bored, would drop the prize next to me and go sun herself in the backyard.

Basenjis, more so than other breeds, are extremely primal. They need to know you are in charge. The responsibility of being in charge is to respect the pack heiarchy.

A really good book on canine behaviour is the "Mind of the Dog" by Bruce Fogel. He is a British vet and Canadian schooled. I belive he graduated from vet school in Gelph, Canada. This first part of the book deals with the canine brain and is pretty boring unless you like nuerophysics. The rest is full of gems on how canines think.

If you want multiple Basenjis, you really need to understand how canines think and how pack mentality works.

[lvoss]

There are many ways to show your dog that you are the top of the pack that are far less likely to result in escalation.

I recommend anyone who adds a new dog or puppy to their household sign up for a positive reinforcement training class. Puppy kindergarten is a great place for puppies to get socialization with humans, start learning foundation skills, and to socialize with other puppies. For adult dogs a basic manners class is a very good way to build a vocabulary between you and your dog and build your relationship with your dog.

I would also recommend either reading Calming Signals by Turid Rugaas or watching the video The Language of Dogs. Understanding what the body language of your dog is saying can really help to head off problems before they begin.

[Quercus]

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Yikes! I think this needs a disclaimer 'please don't try this at home'! With today's sue crazy society, giving advice like that could get you into some serious trouble if the dog becomes terrified and aggressive due to abusive treatment.
Personally, I like to train my dogs to behave without seeing the fear in their eyes......

[jys1011]

I would have to agree with Andrea. I'm not a fan of pinning or submissive downs because it's not REALLY something done in the wild.

Most dogs will voluntarily put themselves into a down to show submissiveness. They pin each other down during play but rarely otherwise in when they are challenging each other for top dog position. Usually they'll do a face off if one backs down by lowering their heads or walking away the challenge is over otherwise there's a fight for top position.