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My Basenji is only aggressive towards other basenjis

Behavioral Issues
  • I take my two b's to the dog park about everyday. My Roo who is fixed always gets in fights with other basenjis. If any other breed, Roo will just walk away. Why is it basenjis only? Does he "know" they are the same breed?

  • Yes, they know…. I have always told people that contray to "popular" opinion, Basenjis will typically get along better with other breeds then with their own...

  • @tanza:

    Yes, they know…. I have always told people that contray to "popular" opinion, Basenjis will typically get along better with other breeds then with their own...

    I'll 2nd that.

  • Funny, our weekly group of basenjis get along far better with each other, and even any new basenji, than with other dogs. Of course, the core group has known each other for many years and really like each other, and they are very suspicious of other breeds, especially really furry breeds! We have met one young female basenji who got along better with any other dogs, and started fights with ANY basenji, but the majority that we meet are welcomed into "the pack".

    One basenji, without the support of a group however, may feel the need to stand up to another basenji. They certainly DO recognize their own breed!

    Anne in Tampa

  • You know, my boyz like dogs the same color as they are. Jet LOVES tri colored dogs - Berners, tri Aussies, etc. And last time they were at Anne's dog park, poor Digital was the only brindle basenji. Jet played with the basenjis and Diggie went and hung out with a brindle greyhound. Remember that Anne?

5/5

9 Aug 2008, 02:55

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    @elbrant and all of you thanks!
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    I have had 15 - 20 adult female basenjis over the years, and 2 was the age when it seemed like they became their 'true adult selves.' (spayed/neutered or not) I do not feel confident giving suggestions, just wanted you to know her age is typical for this to happen.
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    @DebraDownSouth Thanks Debra, you've given me a lot to think about. I think I'll start immediately with the "leave it" training at home and then get in touch with some trainers/behaviorists in my area. I'm not expecting any miracles here but, like you said, even just learning to ignore other dogs would make such a difference.
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    That this arose at home but not on the street sounds like property protectiveness, and should dissipate once your dog figures out he lives there too, but you need to work on it if you want to avoid issues with other visitors. Can you remove yourself from the equation and allow the roommate to just "be" there, ignoring the dog until things settle down? Then, treats and food can reward more settled behaviour. IMO it would be a mistake to try to force the relationship in any way. A calm, matter of fact attitude should facilitate things. Definitely no approaching the dog or pushing attention on him. Let the dog set the pace. When he stops feeling threatened he will likely approach on his own. Any aggressive approach should be ignored if possible as long as it doesn't turn into an outright attack. (maybe leave a trailing leash on the dog as a way to take control if things really deteriorate, but I doubt that they will).
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    It takes a bit of doing, but if you get him up for success…it will work. Keep in touch.
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    @sharronhurlbut: Crating a dog when your at work and then when you sleep is way too much. I am not saying this is the case…but imo, if your home, have the dog with you. I agree… mostly. a dog should be with it's family but, young pups who do not yet know the rules of the house, should be crated IMO, mostly for their own safety. You can't very well supervise a pup when you're sleeping. however, I do think there is a middle ground to it... I crated my dog at night until he was about 7mths old, and 100% reliable in the house (no accidents). I always kept the crate right next to the bed though. with the exception of night hours, our dog was never crated for longer than 4 hrs at a time. our goal was always to achieve no need for the crate.. which we reached when he was around 2 yrs old. I think a crate is a wonderful TOOL, but it's just that, a tool, not a way of life. We still have one of our crates set up, and occasionally our dog will choose to use it, but the door is never shut.