When you are dealing with something that an animal is afraid of, the best approach is to find his "comfort" distance from the thing that scares him. A busy street makes this a bit more difficult, as you have to find a way to give him that "distance". If you have a car, maybe transporting him to a less busy area might make a good start. Perhaps a side street, where he is comfortably away from busy traffic. You could then walk toward the busy street, pausing as soon as you see some sign of anxiety, and retracing your steps just little until he is in his "comfort zone" again. Gradually…...with the use of bribery and rewards......ask him to approach closer to the scary stuff. Liberally reward him for being there, then retreat. The idea is to not force, let him decide when he is ready. If he feels he can retreat at any time, he will have more confidence. This approach may take awhile, but is less likely to create a permanent aversion. (it works well with spooky horses).
M/F combinations?
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The video looks like pretty normal basenji stuff. She was better when you weren't right there petting her. The more you say 'oh, pretty girl' etc, while she is growling, you are reinforcing that behavior….she thinks 'oh, he must think I am doing the right thing, because he is saying nice things to me'. The most I will say to the growling dog in this situation is 'oh, you are okay, give it a rest'...but not in a praising voice...just quiet recognition of their torture
She wants him to get off of her, and he isn't getting the message. Eventually, he will. She is giving him a TON of warning before she snaps, and that is ideal.
For the most part I would just stay out of it. If you feel like you must intervene (and I can understand that), I would just walk over and pick up the puppy, carry him somewhere elseand redirect his attention (play a game with him, or give him something to do). That way you are telling him 'when she makes this noise, it means leave her alone'
They are both behaving appropriately for their age in this video, IMO.
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Not always…sometimes they are just the loudest complainers, and the crankiest
It makes them look like the leaders, but often those types don't actually have the confidence to be the leader._ -
The video looks like pretty normal basenji stuff. She was better when you weren't right there petting her. The more you say 'oh, pretty girl' etc, while she is growling, you are reinforcing that behavior….she thinks 'oh, he must think I am doing the right thing, because he is saying nice things to me'. The most I will say to the growling dog in this situation is 'oh, you are okay, give it a rest'...but not in a praising voice...just quiet recognition of their torture
She wants him to get off of her, and he isn't getting the message. Eventually, he will. She is giving him a TON of warning before she snaps, and that is ideal.
For the most part I would just stay out of it. If you feel like you must intervene (and I can understand that), I would just walk over and pick up the puppy, carry him somewhere elseand redirect his attention (play a game with him, or give him something to do). That way you are telling him 'when she makes this noise, it means leave her alone'
They are both behaving appropriately for their age in this video, IMO.
Well said, looks perfectly normal to me too….
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Not always…sometimes they are just the loudest complainers, and the crankiest
It makes them look like the leaders, but often those types don't actually have the confidence to be the leader.__
You may be right. She is MIGHTY BITCHY and oh! girl! she has a foul-mouth, LOL, knows ALL the Basenji cuss words, and the most confrontational when she sees another dog. Could be all bluster, and maybe he knows it!_
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That would be Kristii in my house…. foul mouth.. totally... to the point she "spits" when yelling at the other dogs, who by the way totally ignore her... gggg and it is all bluster with her... she knows she is bottom of the ladder... but cusses all the same... especially at the boys.... and while on lead she would/is confrontational... if she were loose and another dog looked at her crooked... she be gone in a flash...
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I watched the video, Sheba is incredibly patient! That pup is due for some manners, and I imagine she is just the girl to teach him. As Andrea said, his "puppy license" has expired at 5 months. Humans think puppies are fun, adult dogs often think they are a pain! She has "let him live" to 5 months, she probably likes him.
Anne in Tampa
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Well put Anne…. she is incredibly patient.... and for sure the truth... "she has let him live this long"!
People are never ever ready for the "noise" that can come from the Adults with puppies....
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ok, the reason I was telling her "Pretty Girl" was because that has always been the only way to get her to "talk" and that is what I was trying to do, but I definitely agree that I was in the wrong at that point. He is very persistent when it comes to aggravating her. I have noticed that sometimes she will back down, is she losing her dominance? and one last question, should I intervene when she fights him to take the toy that he is playing with?
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ok, the reason I was telling her "Pretty Girl" was because that has always been the only way to get her to "talk" and that is what I was trying to do, but I definitely agree that I was in the wrong at that point. He is very persistent when it comes to aggravating her. I have noticed that sometimes she will back down, is she losing her dominance? and one last question, should I intervene when she fights him to take the toy that he is playing with?
IMO, no… I would not intervene
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Thanks for the advice… And pointing out the error in my ways
