Jack is Racist…

Behavioral Issues

  • 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.


  • 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.


  • 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:


  • @jys1011:

    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...


  • 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.


  • <<my black="" neighbors="" have="" been="" living="" as="" renters="" for="" generations="">>

    It is unfortunate in the society we live how comfortable people get with living with what they know rather than forging ahead.</my>


  • My male basenji only likes other basenjis. I think he must pick up on his past days in the litter and with other basenjis at the breeder. He recognizes even if a dog is part basenji–he likes their energy.


  • I seem to be having the same problem….but backwards!!! I am white and my husband is black. My husband recently brought Princess home to live with us from a woman who was losing her apt and could not keep her. Princess seems to be a mix but is at least 85-95% basenji from what I can tell!!!

    The first few days she made no noise at all....my father in law (black) came over and she was fine....some of my husbands friends came over (black) and she was fine. Then my mother (white) came over and all of a sudden she came to the door and started growling deeply and showing her teeth..her tail went between her legs and she started to scare me. A few days later my best friend (white) came over who is white and I had the same problem. A delivery man who was black came by and there was no problem....the next day my Dad (white) came over and I had the problem again!!!

    I thought that I was being paranoid thinking that my dog was racist but now I am not so sure. The strange part is that she seems to have no problem with me....this is strange!


  • Basenjis are picky with people…I dunno why :eek: There are some people they like & some they just don't! Go figure...kinda like humans no?! LOL :D


  • @Jennifer:

    I seem to be having the same problem….but backwards!!! I am white and my husband is black. My husband recently brought Princess home to live with us from a woman who was losing her apt and could not keep her. Princess seems to be a mix but is at least 85-95% basenji from what I can tell!!!

    The first few days she made no noise at all....my father in law (black) came over and she was fine....some of my husbands friends came over (black) and she was fine. Then my mother (white) came over and all of a sudden she came to the door and started growling deeply and showing her teeth..her tail went between her legs and she started to scare me. A few days later my best friend (white) came over who is white and I had the same problem. A delivery man who was black came by and there was no problem....the next day my Dad (white) came over and I had the problem again!!!

    I thought that I was being paranoid thinking that my dog was racist but now I am not so sure. The strange part is that she seems to have no problem with me....this is strange!

    Here's a thought I just had- Your husband more of less rescued Princess from her former owners. She bonded to him. When his father came over, and his friends came over, he was there, right? Was he happy and affectionate to them? If so, Princess probably thought "Oh, they know my Dad and he likes them, they're fine." When your mother and your friends came over, was your husband there? If he was, how did he act towards them? If your husband wasn't home, or if he was less affectionate/kind/interacting with them, then maybe Princess was like "Who are these people?! Why are they in Dad's house?! Grrrr!" It's a thought.
    I know with my Basenji mix- she is totally bonded to my roommate. If my roommate brings people over, or greets them at the door and is totally laid back with them, my Basenji will be too. But if I'm home alone and people come over, or if I bring people in that my roommate doesn't necessarily like, the Basenji takes that as a hint, and becomes a growling, barking, protective mess. I know she's just protecting her Mom's territory, but it's really awkward and embarrassing sometimes.


  • as far as I know, my B isn't racist, but he deffinately doesn't like any american bulldogs that he has ever met. and he wants to eat any and all pomeranians and chiwawas.


  • Interesting. My Kiora doesn't like certian men. As far as I can tell mostly white men with dark hair. If I see someone she doesn't like on a walk I will have them feed her treats ….If they will cooperate that is.Her two previous owners were both men....hmm. As far as other dogs go...she doesn't like big bouncey dogs. But she seems to mostly like dogs similar to herself. We have not encountered another Basenji since I've owned her. but she mostly likes small or medium sized calm shorthaired dogs the best. When we did the PetSmart obedience class it was very small, Kiora, a boxer, and two Xoloitzcuintle. She Hated the boxer, but just loved the Xolo's. I figure they are the closest to another B that she has met since she was a puppy.


  • @etzbseder:

    as far as I know, my B isn't racist, but he deffinately doesn't like any american bulldogs that he has ever met. and he wants to eat any and all pomeranians and chiwawas.

    Remember small "fluffy" dogs look like prey!!!!

Suggested Topics

  • Vet Visit for Exam and Boosters and Anxiety

    Behavioral Issues
    5
    0 Votes
    5 Posts
    3k Views
    barkB
    @Saving thank you very much for the suggestions!
  • Destructive behaviour

    Behavioral Issues
    5
    0 Votes
    5 Posts
    1k Views
    elbrantE
    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!
  • 0 Votes
    10 Posts
    1k Views
    C
    @Saving so nice to hear there's other people with the same problem! We have been giving regular baths to our b, so I don't know if that really helped or not. Anyways, it took a while for me to bring Nova again to the dog park, because I was a bit afraid the same situation would happen again. I was there a couple of days ago, and no one tried to hump her. (I must say all dogs had same age approx.) Thank you for your comment replies! :)
  • Newborn/Kids with My Basenji

    Behavioral Issues
    4
    1 Votes
    4 Posts
    755 Views
    eeeefarmE
    It would be useful to know more about this dog. Has resource guarding been an issue in the past? Has he bitten either you or your wife before? (a real bite, not playful nipping). Or anyone else? A dog that isn't used to children may be fearful of their loudness or quick movements. Perhaps you could do some socialization work with him, e.g. hanging around places where young kids congregate to accustom him to their noise and activity. Obviously not allowing any interaction as you are unsure of his behaviour. Dogs react differently to newborns. In my experience bitches are more likely than dogs to be tolerant, but it is very much the individual dog's reaction that counts. People have been blindsided when their supposedly tolerant and gentle dog turns out to be hostile to a young child. Bottom line, no dog should be left unsupervised around young kids, so in any event you would have to monitor his behaviour carefully once your baby arrives. On a personal note, of the five Basenjis I have owned, two bitches were entirely reliable with kids, the other was tolerant as long as they respected her space. One of the males adored children and was curious about them, the other curious but uncertain and would react to fast movements. I did not trust him and controlled any interaction closely. IMO, he would have bitten had he felt threatened. And kids, especially babies, tend to grab and pinch, ears, tails, whatever. Caution is always the safest route.
  • Puppy Aggressively Biting

    Behavioral Issues
    10
    0 Votes
    10 Posts
    1k Views
    ZandeZ
    Neutering is not going to help - training is. But a good trainer will train YOU to deal with the dog. If a trainer can get him to behave but you can't - there is little to be gained from paying out money. This is something you should never have allowed to happen, but since it has, I think you should deal with it and @JENGOSMonkey has given you a good idea to start you off. Withdrawing treats is a good idea, but also, get up and walk away. He could be biting to get attention and therefore you withdraw the attention at the first sign of a bite, with a firm NO.
  • BIG problems with Jack…

    Behavioral Issues
    105
    0 Votes
    105 Posts
    34k Views
    Capt_Jack_our_BasenjiC
    Again, if you would like Peter's number then I am happy to get it for you. Also, if I can help at all please let me know. Sophie and Stick would love to take him to the park with us for a big B romp.:D Kiss the baby and pet Jack for me! Audrey Id LOVE LOVE LOVE to meet up at the dog park thats EXACTLY what Jack needs. You tell me the night before what time your going to be there and Im THERE!!! (depending on the weather because i have the baby, lol) But i KNOW Jack would LOVE to go to the park!! Let me know Oh and the trainer we have been meeting with is doing well…Jack has been around some visiters recently and did GREAT we had NO problems!! But its still early so, im hoping for the best!!:p