Basenji mix and Boston Terrier Fight on first day

Behavioral Issues
Log in to reply
  • K

    Hello.

    I am very new to the Basenji forums, but am a dog lover and am a novice dog owner. I raised up with dogs and know basic behavior issues and structure.

    Recently I moved in with my girlfriend (who means the world to me) and her wonderful dog Jack, a Boston Terrier. He is incredibly smart and loyal to her, since she raised him since he was a pup.A while after, we both decided to make an addition to the family, and we decided to visit our local shelter. Well there happened to be a great, beautiful Basenji mix (don't know the other portion) male named Tanner we decided to adopt. I did some research before the adoption and thought that the two would get along just fine. He was a stray (with no previous history) and has been neutered and up to date on shots.

    We had an initial meet between us and the basenji mix and boston terrier for the first day and they were just fine. They were more curious and sniffing things out and seemed to cope alright. We kept them on leashes and made sure they were protected initially to allow a good buffer of space to get familiar with the surroundings.

    Tonight, to be safe we had the dogs in two separate rooms while we had some relatives over. My girlfriends niece had opened the door to both the dogs rooms, and before you know it, they viciously attacked eachother. Blood was shed, to the 10th degree and I immediately intervened.

    While intervening, I had tried to separate the two by pulling them apart (problem #1) it was so immediate I didn't have time for another person to jump in and explain to them to pull them back by their legs and wheelbarrow them. Ultimately, I took the fall and had a quarter of my thumb sliced through by the new Basenji.

    Here as some quick facts.

    Boston Terrier (Jack)
    1. Loyal to my girlfriend, and is very kind to me
    2. Very playful, and loves attention.
    3. Literally owns the relationship between him and my girlfriend.

    Basenji (Tanner)
    1. Very passive and quiet
    2. Loves to chew, play and explore
    3. Incredibly smart

    These are things I discovered from day 1 with the Basenji, but the two dogs had their relationship started off on the wrong foot, very inadvertently.

    By the end of the first day we took Tanner home, I am left with a gash in my thumb (which is excruciatingly painful), Jack who has a slight gash on his muzzle, and Tanner who has a gash on his leg.

    I am in love with the two dogs, and want them to get along.

    Is there anything I can do, to promote and allow time for them to get along? Or is it a futile attempt based on natural breed and way things got kicked off?

    Please help.

    0

Suggested Topics

  • L

    My 7 months basenji whimpered in the middle of the night for the first time...any ideas why?

    Behavioral Issues
    14
    0 Votes
    14 Posts
    1k Views
    ZandeZ
    If your feet give reassurance and comfort, that is the place for the Basenji to sleep ! I am a day out out hospital after some rather complicated surgery but although my boys slept with Paul while I was away, last night they were both back in their usual places - at my feet and behind my knees - taking up more than 2/3 of the bed. . .
  • J

    Why do Basenji's fight with each other?

    Behavioral Issues
    14
    0 Votes
    14 Posts
    12k Views
    N
    @tanza: There is a play date in the East Bay…. and they have lots of Basenjis... you just have to get past the initial meet/greet..... lots of noise... and just get used to it.... Hi Tanza, can you please advise where/when these plays take place in the East Bay? I've just moved in SF with my boy Basenji and we are looking for a company for our walks. Thanks in advance. Maria.
  • H

    Basenji mix aggression

    Behavioral Issues
    1
    0 Votes
    1 Posts
    2k Views
    No one has replied
  • M

    Looking for Speaker on Basenji behavior as well as caring for older basenjis

    Behavioral Issues
    1
    0 Votes
    1 Posts
    1k Views
    No one has replied
  • J

    Basenjis that can't stand other basenjis

    Behavioral Issues
    7
    0 Votes
    7 Posts
    3k Views
    wizardW
    My previous males never had an opportunity to meet other basenjis (outside their breeder kennel) so don't know if the experience with my current female is "typical" or not. The first time she encountered another, it was a tri-color older female that was a real bitch and instantly got aggressive (now whenever they see each other its "hackles up"). The first time I took her to a lure coursing event, mine was friendly enough until a little blind female came up and bit her. The second time I took her to a LGRA event, a lady came up behind us (while mine was trying to potty) with her tricolor female and her dog attacked mine. So now hackles go up any time another female comes within shouting distance.
  • annandaelA

    Same Sex and Basenji to Basenji aggression.

    Behavioral Issues
    6
    0 Votes
    6 Posts
    5k Views
    T
    I agree with Catherine, socialization is a must, but it depends on the personality of the individual dog. When we had 4, they all slept on the bed together and ran together and rarely did we have any problems. We added a puppy and things were still going ok, just really crowded. However, one day our youngest girl decided she was all grown up and didn't want to be bossed around anymore by our 'wanna-be' alpha. Neither of them was a true alpha. We managed to defuse the situation, but a month later it happened again. The girls could never be together again. In fact, the tri developed a predjudice against all red girls after that! Both girls were terrific with people and with Basenji males and even with males and females of other breeds. I had 2 intact males, brothers, who stayed together with absolutely no problem for almost 4 years until one went to another home. They even got along during season. Terry