Out out dammed spot-catahoula lepoard


  • Need some help! We have a 4 yr old tri and 5 yr old red basenji's They are both neutered and spayed. We adopted a puppy from the pound 2 mo ago. Pretty sure is 100% catahoula lepoard dog. He is a great pup. He was neutered by the pound at 8 wks grrr Went thru introduction problems but those seemed to have worked themselves out. Recently we have gotten a new problem developing and need some insite to getting it stopped. They play outside (always supervised) they will play for alittle bit and then the basenji's will tag team and go after the pup they will chase after him, catch him and get him down and then they both jump on him and will nip him on his neck. I know the pup is probably annoying the crap out of them .This might be them giving it back to him. He is going to obedience in a few weeks. Vet didn't want him to go before all shots were done, people in this area aren't the best with keeping shots updated. They are making the pup sore after their encounters. He is now the same size as them and the same weight. He will soon be bigger than them. I just don't want this behavior to esculate into more. Any suggestions in how to get this turned around to them just playing like before


  • Has there been any blood drawn or any real bites? Also, does the pup act afraid (shaking, fearful yelping or crying) when it happens?

    It just sounds like play to me. I know my 2 adult b's will run with my 5mo old basenji pup and when they catch her they will flip her…and if they pin her, they give her a noisy lesson about lying still and when she quiets down they then let her up and the chase starts all over again. It looks rough and sounds rough, but I can tell that Liyah (pup) is having fun as she will sometimes try to nip at the adults to get them going so they will chase her again...even after they have flipped her multiple times. They rotate off and on as to who is the hunter and who is the prey. It has been that way since she came home at 11 weeks. I notice that now that she is older and bigger, they are rougher with her - and vice versa.

    I pretty much don't stop it unless the pup is acting afraid...but that has only happened in the confined quarters in the house...outside, it is has always just been a free-for-all. I'm always there (or my brother is) to supervise.


  • @renaultf1:

    Has there been any blood drawn or any real bites? Also, does the pup act afraid (shaking, fearful yelping or crying) when it happens?

    It just sounds like play to me. I know my 2 adult b's will run with my 5mo old basenji pup and when they catch her they will flip her…and if they pin her, they give her a noisy lesson about lying still and when she quiets down they then let her up and the chase starts all over again. It looks rough and sounds rough, but I can tell that Liyah (pup) is having fun as she will sometimes try to nip at the adults to get them going so they will chase her again...even after they have flipped her multiple times. They rotate off and on as to who is the hunter and who is the prey. It has been that way since she came home at 11 weeks. I notice that now that she is older and bigger, they are rougher with her - and vice versa.

    I pretty much don't stop it unless the pup is acting afraid...but that has only happened in the confined quarters in the house...outside, it is has always just been a free-for-all. I'm always there (or my brother is) to supervise.

    I agree with this completely. Now is the only chance the basenjis have to teach the puppy some manners, in the process of play. I wouldn't intervene unless someone is really desperate for help.


  • Yes, it does sound like play to me as well.


  • Just some good old African play. Mine used to tag team this Spaniel that was temporarily staying at my house. They pushed it until the dog got irritated.


  • There has been no blood shed he does yelp sometimes and he does act afraid but is a real scarredy cat any loud noise sending him running for shelter. Not sure what happened to him at the pound to make him so scared.
    I thank everyone for all the imput I think we'll just keep an eye on things for awhile. I do agree that he needs to learn his place.


  • He is going to get a lot bigger than them, they may be establishing dominance, as once the dog is the pack leader, size really doesn't matter…it is all about attitude. I have noticed that over they years, mine really are tough on pups that will get big, not sure how they seem to know, but eventually we will have a big Rottie (at the park) that is submissive to Topper!

    It sounds like play/discipline to me.


  • We watched last night's play closer . The puppy actually lays down and rolls over in submissive posture when he is about to be closed in on. I think he is bowing to their position of leader At least he is submissive and doesn't want to take a stand against them. They still are very rough and nipping on him when he is down but no blood shed. I guess I need to be less protective. He will get alot bigger than them soon, he is their size now. I thought they had already established the pack order,maybe as he gets bigger they are re adjusting it. When we got Moby he was 8 weeks old and about to be destroyed. Couldn't let that happen to him so we rescued him. They have always had a third buddy since the basenji's were pups. We had a elkhound who passed away last year. The pup was listed as aussie mix Boy were they off the mark. After much research and help of our vet he is definitely a catahoula through and through. We had to laugh because during our research we came across the statment "if you like this kind of dog perhaps you should consider a BASENJI" so now we will have a 70 pound basenji acting dog. My husband said you were getting a non basenji dog and came home with a breed that acts just like them. A few books said keep your catahoula buzy and excerised or they will eat your house. My My doesn't that sound like another breed we all here love so much. Thanks all for the help, will keep you all updated as things go on


  • @basenji3:

    We watched last night's play closer . The puppy actually lays down and rolls over in submissive posture when he is about to be closed in on. I think he is bowing to their position of leader At least he is submissive and doesn't want to take a stand against them. They still are very rough and nipping on him when he is down but no blood shed. I guess I need to be less protective. He will get alot bigger than them soon, he is their size now. I thought they had already established the pack order,maybe as he gets bigger they are re adjusting it.

    The interesting thing in my house is that I'm yet to find any scabs on my pup's neck or body from all the rough play, but Ruby and Brando have had some cuts and scabs from Liyah's puppy teeth (fewer now that her bite has become softer from all the adult's corrections). In my case, Liyah doesn't roll on her own accord and doesn't submit unless absolutely pinned by an adult. So that shows me that they are giving her lessons and not hurting her.

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