Skip to content
Basenji Forums
  1. Home
  2. Behavioral Issues
  3. Aggression with older dogs

Aggression with older dogs

Behavioral Issues
  • J

    We live near several parks and often see other dogs. Dexter appears to be fine with the smaller breeds, and gets tons of socialization in puppy class (he is fine with other puppies). However, Dexter has had two incidents with bigger dogs, coincidentally both being pit bulls.

    While I know there is a negative stereotype regarding pit bulls, they were both very timid. Dexter passed both of them in the park (different days) and they stopped to greet him. Upon doing so, Dex chose to jump up and put his paws on them, showing his teeth as I pulled him away.

    Thankfully, both dogs just backed away and moved on, but I am concerned with this habit. I want him to be able to be greeted by other dogs in the park and not have any worries about his reaction. Any thoughts/advice on this?

    0
  • MacPackM

    Is Dexter intact? How about the pits? That might be a contributing factor.

    Anne in Tampa

    Chipley, Missy & Lucky

    Topper, Nicky & Eddie in the clouds

    0
  • J

    I didn't notice on the Pits. But yes, Dexter will be intact until probably August.

    That is a great point though, thanks!

    0
  • lvossL

    Why do you want Dexter to be greeted by strange dogs while on walks?

    I know this is a goal of many dog owners but why? We do not warmly greet every stranger we pass on the street and yet it is our expectation for our dogs.

    My observation of my adult dogs is that they are indifferent toward other dogs. They show no interest in greeting them and would prefer to carry on with their own business. If people ask if their dogs can greet mine, I say no. Mine do have dog friends but it is a small group of dog appropriate dogs that they meet up with to go for country walks. Even within the group some of my adults choose not to interact much or not with everyone in the group.

    If he is not reactive upon seeing other dogs but is content to just move on without interaction, I would not necessarily work to change that behavior. If he is reactive towards other dogs then there are things you can work on so he chooses to instead move on without interacting.

    0
  • P

    I totally agree with Ivoss - why expect a dog to like every other dog. Mine too, will ignore other dogs they don't want to know.

    0
  • dmeyD

    I have noticed that Ayo tends to greet other dogs by "slapping them" with his paws or jumping up. I have also noticed that sometimes growling occurs when I pull him back, as if he is reacting to me pulling him, suddenly becoming aggressive. Ive noticed that sometimes if I don't pull it doesn't happen.

    0
  • KipawaK

    @lvoss:

    Why do you want Dexter to be greeted by strange dogs while on walks?

    I know this is a goal of many dog owners but why? We do not warmly greet every stranger we pass on the street and yet it is our expectation for our dogs.

    Wow…. great comment! We do so many things to try to humanize our dogs that are not natural for them.

    Fran Harder, BAB

    With Barney in my heart

    0
  • S

    Has Dexter had any basic obedience classes?

    Sharron Hurlbut

    BRAT, basenji rescue

    Evergreen basenji club

    Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue

    0

Suggested Topics

  • farabuttoF

    Aggression towards other dogs

    Behavioral Issues
    8
    1 Votes
    8 Posts
    8k Views
    farabuttoF
    @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.
  • K

    Reintroducing my B to a dog he has gotten aggressive with

    Behavioral Issues
    10
    0 Votes
    10 Posts
    6k Views
    C
    My Basenji Kobi gets along with all dogs she has met except one particular one in our sub. For some reason they just dont like each other, and he is just as growly with her as she is with him. Now I took her to my brothers house and she met his dog for the first time, a huge boxer pitbull mix. And they were a little snarky with each other at first, but the minute they got off the leash and were running around the yard they had a blast. But in the house his dog was very domineering and they got into it a little. But we watched them and they seemed to work it out. His dog was definitely the dominant one in the house, but my little girl ran circles around her outside. She was definitely the leader outside. His poor girl could not keep up with her. lol.
  • G

    Female aggression to older female

    Behavioral Issues
    14
    0 Votes
    14 Posts
    4k Views
    S
    I am sorry these dogs don't get along, but really, it will be best to keep them apart. They can hurt/kill each other, and often its silent and very, very ugly. Hugs for being committed to all your dogs.
  • K

    Dog to dog greeting aggression question

    Behavioral Issues
    12
    0 Votes
    12 Posts
    5k Views
    S
    I will take a bit of time, but it does work. Please let us know how it goes.
  • L

    Food aggression

    Behavioral Issues
    11
    0 Votes
    11 Posts
    5k Views
    QuercusQ
    @JazzysMom: Let me ask you this, Pat {and all}….. I've always fed my dogs separately, esp. since Keoki came into the picture because he will scarf his food and run to see if he can get what the others have. I don't crate them, but they are fed in separate rooms which puts them about ten feet away from one another. Keoki has learned NOT to hover over the other dogs, but he does kind of watch and wait for either of them to finish and then he runs over to lick their bowls. I don't have a problem with that, as they all run from bowl to bowl at the end of the meals, licking whatever {icky} they can find there. It's funny because they all get the same food. Lately, in the mornings only, Jazz won't eat UNTIL Keoki finishes and and then she will growl and ruuuuun for her bowl. So, the last few days I have put her bowl near his {as an experiment}-- w/in maybe 2 feet -- and she will immediately eat while he does. He eats faster, and it's almost as if she slows down when she knows he's finished. She picks up one piece of food at a time to carefully chew it, with the occasional quiet growl to remind him that it is hers. What is up with that? Honestly…sounds like a fight in the making to me. Eating faster is the first level of resource (in this case food) guarding. She may be eating slower for any number of reasons...the first one I thought of was a calming signal to him? I doubt she is trying to tease him...but she may be trying to make a point...mine, calm down, mine, calm down... These kind of things tend to escalate, so IMO, I wouldn't even experiment with it. Why not feed them separately, like with doors in between? It has got to be less stressful for the dogs if they don't have to worry if the other dog is going to bully them for their food...or on the other hand, if they can bully the other dog.
  • abby_basenjiA

    Aggression

    Behavioral Issues
    11
    0 Votes
    11 Posts
    5k Views
    abby_basenjiA
    I too have an automatic litter box but we built a platform almost like a cabinate and the poo goes down into a garbage can with a bag in it and abby or missy can not get into the poo.