Skip to content
Basenji Forums
  1. Home
  2. Behavioral Issues
  3. Lenny "likes" other dogs!

Lenny "likes" other dogs!

Behavioral Issues
  • Tayda_LennyT

    Now who woulda thunk that after all the issues I've had with Lenny attacking other dogs and he would mellow out and curb the agressive behavior? My boyfriend is looking for an apartment that will allow me and the dogs to visit every other weekend. We went to a house this weekend that has a resident lab and some other mix (i'd guess cattle dog and collie) and not only did Lenny act completely non agressive during their first meeting, but he was actually PLAYING w/ the mutt! it was so cute. they were chasing each other around the house and play bowing all over the place. YAY!

    –--------------------------

    Michelle

    0
  • DukeD

    What a GOOD BOY, Lenny! Making your momma proud like that. Looks like all the extra training is paying off for you both. Way to go Lenny!

    Jill

    0
  • tanzaT

    IMO many times it is how secure they feel that will or will not curb agressive problems… not always mind you, but many times... and if he doesn't take the other dogs as a "threat" then he will accept them as equals and playmates...

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

    0
  • senjiS

    Great to hear. I'm sure it was great to see him playing !!!!!!

    0
  • Tayda_LennyT

    yeah, it really was… especially with all the drama i have going on with my current living situation it is a relief that something is going right. My boyfriend has been having a heck of a time finding a place to rent that will allow my dogs and me to visit on the weekends. So we finally found a place that would allow it, and then we had to visit to make sure the dogs got along. i was so relieved that not only was Lenny polite, he was playing! yay.

    anyway, i'm moving out of my apt at the end of November... thankfully my company is going to move me again so I don't have to do it myself! Good thing i haven't really unpacked yet!

    –--------------------------

    Michelle

    0

Suggested Topics

  • H

    How we got through the first years of "whacko dog" and some tips for you

    Behavioral Issues
    45
    5 Votes
    45 Posts
    14k Views
    K
    @patty and others that reference a responsible breeder: I got my Jessey (my friend dubbed him the Jester because of his loveable zaniness) - who is my second Basenji - from a responsible breeder and he was well socialized by her and then me. I took him to the dog park which he loved at first, but then after many visits, he became scared. He used to walk the neighborhood, but then became scared. Any boom/bang/bounce - he bolts home. My other Basenji was nothing like this. Jessey has his pack of BFF's but is usually snarky to other dogs (typical B!). My point is, it's not always the breeder. Dogs - like humans - can develop "head issues". It has been very frustrating for me having a neurotic dog, but I've come to accept that's him and would never love him any less! The vet gave me Solliquin to try, but I've been hesitant. Anyone out there tried it?
  • TimesthemythT

    Need some creative thinkers for confinement "anxiety" issue

    Behavioral Issues
    24
    0 Votes
    24 Posts
    10k Views
    TimesthemythT
    Ha, I know, forum posts are like a novel sometimes - except sometimes you don't always find out what happens at the end. There are lots of posts here where I'm like "well, what happened?!" The long and short of it: we have a "success story". He's always been kind of a strange dog, never doing things by the books. For his anxiety…...nothing I did really helped him. I originally put him on Prozac as a last resort, but overtime he just improved on his own; I know it's not due to the medication, because he's been off of it for awhile. He still hates confinement but he's learned that once he's in...he's not getting out. SO he basically goes through cycles where he'll whine for about a minute or two every so often (30 minutes to 2 hours) or so then goes back to sleep, until I get home. It gets better and better each time. One of our biggest issues I think was him being able to escape, and that fear was feeding off itself. In the beginning he would pull out all the stunts to try and escape, some of them working of course. Once I made it so he could not escape, the major destruction and psychological issues died down. I ended up putting wood pieces around the crate (as suggested above) and that helped immensely to fortify the area. He still does cry, and rip things up while I'm away...sure. But, as long as he isn't endangering himself, getting too worked up, or making a huge racket? It works. After we got that solved. I moved onto trying to get him to be ok in a crate - which has been successful. He goes into it fine, lays down and doesn't cry a whole lot, or try to escape. I think his 'anxiety' is not unusual, or inappropriate. Just a natural fear that dogs have of being alone, confined, and in a new space. I also didn't go over 30 minutes when I was teaching him as a puppy....big mistake. Things that have helped: Music, not having the light on, making the pen one giant bed (instead of allowing an area where he could stand), leaving random tissues around in the pen, not letting him out of the pen directly after coming home, giving a single cookie before leaving and returning if quiet, having the area be inescapable obviously, and brushing his teeth if he comes out of the pen right away. Things that didn't really help: thunder shirt (was working until he ripped it up), medication, mirror outside of the pen, leaving delicious food or toys inside the pen, DAP diffuser, etc.
  • S

    Lap dogs?

    Behavioral Issues
    11
    0 Votes
    11 Posts
    5k Views
    wizardW
    On the couch Gossy either justs sits on my lap or curls up next to me; on the recliner she prefers directly in my lap. On the other hand, if I'm on the couch in the evening Teddy will slowly climb up onto my lap as if he thinks I won't notice then he'll curl up leaning against my chest and go to sleep! If Gossy is already in my lap, he'll try to squeeze in between :)
  • anmusA

    "look what i can do"

    Behavioral Issues
    11
    0 Votes
    11 Posts
    5k Views
    KipawaK
    @Mango: I can't wait to have a little B ripping around the house… guess I'm a masochist, but it does sound like a lot of fun. Yes, exactly Mango. I too await the day where the Basenji 500 takes place in my home. It should be fun - we have hardwood floors! :D
  • JazzysMomJ

    "Stupid Dog" kind of night…...

    Behavioral Issues
    6
    0 Votes
    6 Posts
    2k Views
    JazzysMomJ
    @Ninabeana26: That's a basenji for ya right? :p Yup, for "unpredictable" dogs, they sure are "predictable". :D Still think he's a big turd.;) And honestly, if Jazz would just scoot over….......:rolleyes:
  • KaliRooK

    "Conquering"

    Behavioral Issues
    27
    0 Votes
    27 Posts
    14k Views
    N
    I think you're Mom's on the right track. By adopting a 'submissive' pose, you're making the dog anxious. She thinks she's expected to do something, but she's not sure what. She would prefer it if you would act like a grownup, so she won't have to! What is inoccuous or meaningless to us can be very significant in 'dog culture.' Basenjis are all about the pack and have a lot of ancient customs we don't always understand. It's part of their intrigue and charm.