Skip to content

Why? Nip & Brawl

Behavioral Issues
  • @barkless513:

    Jazz is rarely in the mood. Tobias is VERY persistant. Is there a way to encourage playtime so both can get along?

    This seems to be how my two get into spats. As advised, they will work it out and too much intervention can lead to unresolved issues that may get worse. I am taking the advice to only intervene when the noise goes on too long or when I perceive a WWIII eruption. It seems our interpretation of playtime is different than the canine way.

    Friday and Saturday, we've enjoyed the beautiful warm weather here in MI outside. I've taken my two to my nephew's fenced in yard where they are able to run and explore with his dog, Homer. They've gotten lots of exercise and seem to have released alot of energy. Today, we'll go for a long walk in the park, hopefully twice. Remember, "A tired Basenji is a good Basenji".

  • @Quercus:

    So….do you have a digital video camera? Or is that a feature on your regular digi cam? I will have to do this....I could make a video of Querk screaming his head off for y'all.

    Would love to see and hear Querk. It would be fun . . . to hear Basenji sounds. Their vocals are so different, it's cool.

  • Hackles up are normal for a Basenji, I have never seen it make a difference, means nothing about a serious fight or not, IMO… usually it is the noise, or lack of it... My Kristii yells all the time at my boy...ggg.... and she always has her hackle up... and she is all noise, no action....

    This is typical Basenji actions... when you have more then one... I have always told people get ready for the noise.. that you never had before.... sounds like they are going to kill each other... but they are not....

    One thing that I can say is that if you ever see that "glazed" look in one or the other to where they are totally fixed on the other one.. that to me is a sure sign that something nasty is going to happen...

  • @tanza:

    Hackles up are normal for a Basenji, I have never seen it make a difference, means nothing about a serious fight or not, IMO… usually it is the noise, or lack of it... My Kristii yells all the time at my boy...ggg.... and she always has her hackle up... and she is all noise, no action....

    When the hackles are up on mine, something has them aggitated. Doesn't mean….fight.......aggitated.;)

  • @Basenji_Boy:

    When the hackles are up on mine, something has them aggitated. Doesn't mean….fight.......aggitated.;)

    yeah…between girls at our house, it does mean something if it continues for any length of time. Sometimes it just means, you are sniffing me, should I be concerned?...but if the girls are circling, sniffing, and ridgie, there could be trouble.

  • @Quercus:

    yeah…between girls at our house, it does mean something if it continues for any length of time. Sometimes it just means, you are sniffing me, should I be concerned?...but if the girls are circling, sniffing, and ridgie, there could be trouble.

    Amen to that!:D :D ridgie I love that! :D :D

  • Tobias is always ridgie. When at play that is. I have seen him aggressive only toward humans, strangers, and only when he is safe inside the house, and the humans are outside. LOL I know he would run if he were outside with the stranger. Or at least I think he would, as he does not like confrontation, or srangers. Question, it seems that hackles up is happy time for Tobias, tail wagging, mouth open, barooing all the way. How do we really know if these guys are angry?

  • I think the best word for ridginess is "arousal" some dogs get very aroused during play…some don't. Most dogs get aroused during an aggressive display. But before a real fight a dog is always aroused, guaranteed.

  • As is with children - vying for mommy-daddy attention is pretty normal. Duke and Daisy do that. Duke used to have all the attention from everyone. Good morning kisses & rubs - everything for him. Now we have Daisy - and she needs her fair share of attention. When I choose Daisy first, I see poor Duke looking slighted watching and waiting for his turn - I kind of feel bad for him. They try to be the first by shoving themselves in front. I switch off who's first. I don't think this is a big problem - but does it matter who is chosen first to give attention?

  • Some trainers/behaviorists will say yes….I am not so sure. I try to do tandem petting and greeting when dogs are sorting out their issues. If you have to choose one, I would definitely give Duke the attention first.

  • The dog that was there first, IMO should be greeted first… and to keep it as a routine.... as with most animals, most things become habit....

  • @tanza:

    The dog that was there first, IMO should be greeted first… and to keep it as a routine.... as with most animals, most things become habit....

    you mean the dog that lived there first, right? Or do you mean the dog that gets to you first?

  • They both get there first, then the shoving begins. They can't be kissed and hugged at the same time, so I'll give Duke his first b/c he's the older and wiser. Makes sense - Thanks for your replies.

  • @Duke:

    They both get there first, then the shoving begins. They can't be kissed and hugged at the same time, so I'll give Duke his first b/c he's the older and wiser. Makes sense - Thanks for your replies.

    This is what we do with Querk. And we often have as many as four hopping around at the same time :rolleyes:

    But he is VERY vocal when the other dogs get in the way of his greeting. I am kind of envisioning that is what is going on with Duke.

    Another example of status being fluid…all the dogs defer to his complaining during greeting...but all the girls can take things away from him, and guard him away from their sleepy space. And they all greet him in a subordinate way...so it is really, really hard to guess who is in charge of what....kinda like the federal government ;)

  • Funnily enough, my 3 B's will crowd me with the Boxenji constantly getting in the way. I will always cuddle Shadow first, then Sugar, then Zina, and then Dimisi-in the order I got them. The old girl Calli waits on the chair for me to come and see her and get her cuddles and kisses-I guess she doesn't want to get into the fray at the door and she knows if she waits she gets more attention!

  • @Quercus:

    you mean the dog that lived there first, right? Or do you mean the dog that gets to you first?

    Yes, the dog that lived there first

49/49

25 Apr 2007, 00:15

Suggested Topics

  • Nipping

    Behavioral Issues 8 Apr 2012, 23:58
    0 Votes
    6 Posts
    3k Views
    I agree. She is such a friendly little gal.
  • Ryan & Chafuko

    Behavioral Issues 11 Dec 2009, 15:39
    0 Votes
    11 Posts
    8k Views
    Ryan is such a cute baby! I hope your article gets published. I have enjoyed reading about how you adjusted your family to include the baby, of course a lot depends on the humans and I think you and Kas are exceptional in that regard. YOu have good dogs to start with, but I think including them in the pregnancy has kept them from being jealous of Ryan. Whatever you are doing, it will be a gift to share that with others!
  • Nipping

    Behavioral Issues 10 Jun 2009, 06:17
    0 Votes
    3 Posts
    2k Views
    Since she is wandering off and not continuing to push for your attention it sounds like she is reading your turn away corrrectly. When you turn away from a dog it is a distance increasing signal. When you turn back and invite her back to you, what does she do? Remember she is still young and learning self-control. This sort of behavior is related to your other post about her having difficulty holding body position for extended periods of time. She is still learning self control. I like Levels because it breaks the training up into smaller parts, http://dragonflyllama.com/%20DOGS/Levels/ByLevel/1Level.html
  • Nipping issue

    Behavioral Issues 26 Dec 2007, 21:07
    0 Votes
    16 Posts
    5k Views
    Yes that is similar. When EL D nipped my brother it was never really hard (okay so he'll have a bruise) and he backed off pretty quick once he let my brother have it. But it is unnerving because it is unpredictable.
  • Nipping

    Behavioral Issues 4 Dec 2007, 02:49
    0 Votes
    8 Posts
    3k Views
    lol Luv, yes Mia does the same, now when we pull out the water bottle, she scrams as fast as she can, and just stares at it on the counter lol…such funny little personalities they have. Always entertaining
  • Basenji Nipping Kids?

    Behavioral Issues 18 Oct 2006, 13:36
    0 Votes
    39 Posts
    25k Views
    I stopped a little hassle between my Basenjis the other night and was bitten. Yikes, those are sharp little teeth. I would hate to see a child bitten by any dog. Young children and dogs, not just Basenjis, need to be supervised; children should be taught respect for animals. I've seen many lovely pets 'go away' or be put down because one bit a child who was teasing or being cruel. Actually, in my opinion teasing is being cruel. I think children need a "time out" when they play too rough with animals, too.