I didn't think though that dogs could see color the way we do…I know for sure they can decipher through forms, shapes, scents but I'm not sure about skin color though.
It is an interesting topic. I've read some early accounts of Basenji's in Africa on the Africa Stock Project OnLine library that the visitor claimed the Basenji's in the villages where afraid of white people. Now that may be that persons opinion. They may have been afraid of them whether they were white or non white, they were strangers to them.
I think they get used to whomever they grow up around and more specifically who feeds them….....do they see skin color????.......don't know.
I Even if they only see black and white or shades of gray, etc. There will be a depth of light/darkness difference, and they certainly can see that.
I wonder too, if it is a distinct smell that certain people give off that somehow is a connection as to why they respond differently to different races…
Actually, I had a boxer who hated, absolutely hated black coloured dogs, and Jack Russells. The only time he would ever break a command was for a Jack Russell.
Be a bit planfull if you can and elist some non-white friends to help out. First on the day before you are doing this - don't feed your dog - the next day make sure that ONLY the non-white people have food in their hand. No talk, no coaxing - just sit around and visit with their hands in front with wonderful treat.
You may have to do this a couple of times - but they need to associate nice things with what they react too.
Good luck
!
This is definitely interesting stuff…it's amazing what they get used to & exposed to. I would definitely do some counter conditioning to those people he reacts to...pick a really high value treat (chicken w/cheese or crispy bacon) and ONLY feed it when that person comes around.
If you work on this hard then Jackers will eventually look for your non-white friends in hopes that he gets his yummy treat!! 
I was so proud of him today at the dog park, a really nice african american man sat at the same picnic table as me and Jack had NO problem with him what so ever, not even a slight response…lol. I was so proud...lol. Its only certain people a certain times that he had problems with...lol. but hes doing so much better!! yeay
My girl hates Hispanic people for some reason… Among white, african or asian people, she's fine, but the second a Hispanic person comes by, she's a growling, barking (mines a mutt) mess. We've already determined she was probably abused at her last home- she cowers if you raise your hand at all. And now we're thinking it might have been a Hispanic owner since she freaks out like that.
I think they all have "buttons" that some people tend to push… maybe body language or manner..... regardless of race.... I know that mine will take an instant dislike to so people... regardless of race... same with other dogs... My Jamari really disliked all other brindles..... he developed an "I don't like" you to a brindle puppy as a puppy himself... and for quite a while all brindles represented that one....
WELL, in a way, I'm SO relieved that Jack isn't the only dog like this and I'm not the only angry and embarrassed owner…lol. I was so afraid that Jack was alone on this one. I know ill have to keep working on it and punishing him for any unnecessary actions!! But i know now that other dog owners at the dog park and such at least understand when Jack acts out at some dog he just "decides" he doesn't like...(but it still frustrates me!!)
I think you're right Pat..it's definitely behavior triggered with Topaz. Anyone who stands facing her & reaches over her head is very very BAD for her. She'll even flinch when I put my hand over her head without even touching her! It's something about that position that makes her nervous.
A lot of times the hand thing is because hands have been used in a negative manner. Rescue dogs may have been hit, the dog may have been told the are 'bad' (they have learned bad is something negative) while a finger has been shook at them, hands have been used to shove them in a crate, etc. A lot of times we do these things inadverantly. Many dogs do not like this period. No one should reach over a dogs head, it makes them feel vulnerable-especially smaller dogs. Just an FYI.
Arlene you're right however 9 out of 10 peopl will "pet" a dog by tapping them on the head or rubbing their heads. It's hard to break people out of this habit. I always have to warn people…contrary to popular misconception..dogs don't like being pet on their heads :eek:
Arlene you're right however 9 out of 10 peopl will "pet" a dog by tapping them on the head or rubbing their heads. It's hard to break people out of this habit. I always have to warn people…contrary to popular misconception..dogs don't like being pet on their heads :eek:
That is so true…. it is so hard to get people to understand that they need to be at the dogs level.. and NOT "hanging" over top of them... They need to let the dog know they are there and extend the hand for them to sniff first before petting...
I live in a very depressed neighborhood. We are the only white family on the block and all my neighbors are either black or latino. What I have noticed is that my black neighbors tend to be more afraid of dogs. Since dogs can sense fear, they tend to attack it.
I think this may have to do with many of my latino neighbors being fresh off the boat from farms in their home country. Being farm people, they are naturally more comfortable with animals of all kinds. My black neighbors have been living as renters for generations and most of their exsposure to dogs has been through the untrained, under-socialized pit bull "guard dogs" of friends and neighbors.
<<my black="" neighbors="" have="" been="" living="" as="" renters="" for="" generations="">>
It is unfortunate in the society we live how comfortable people get with living with what they know rather than forging ahead.</my>
My male basenji only likes other basenjis. I think he must pick up on his past days in the litter and with other basenjis at the breeder. He recognizes even if a dog is part basenji–he likes their energy.
I seem to be having the same problem….but backwards!!! I am white and my husband is black. My husband recently brought Princess home to live with us from a woman who was losing her apt and could not keep her. Princess seems to be a mix but is at least 85-95% basenji from what I can tell!!!
The first few days she made no noise at all....my father in law (black) came over and she was fine....some of my husbands friends came over (black) and she was fine. Then my mother (white) came over and all of a sudden she came to the door and started growling deeply and showing her teeth..her tail went between her legs and she started to scare me. A few days later my best friend (white) came over who is white and I had the same problem. A delivery man who was black came by and there was no problem....the next day my Dad (white) came over and I had the problem again!!!
I thought that I was being paranoid thinking that my dog was racist but now I am not so sure. The strange part is that she seems to have no problem with me....this is strange!
Basenjis are picky with people…I dunno why :eek: There are some people they like & some they just don't! Go figure...kinda like humans no?! LOL
I seem to be having the same problem….but backwards!!! I am white and my husband is black. My husband recently brought Princess home to live with us from a woman who was losing her apt and could not keep her. Princess seems to be a mix but is at least 85-95% basenji from what I can tell!!!
The first few days she made no noise at all....my father in law (black) came over and she was fine....some of my husbands friends came over (black) and she was fine. Then my mother (white) came over and all of a sudden she came to the door and started growling deeply and showing her teeth..her tail went between her legs and she started to scare me. A few days later my best friend (white) came over who is white and I had the same problem. A delivery man who was black came by and there was no problem....the next day my Dad (white) came over and I had the problem again!!!
I thought that I was being paranoid thinking that my dog was racist but now I am not so sure. The strange part is that she seems to have no problem with me....this is strange!
Here's a thought I just had- Your husband more of less rescued Princess from her former owners. She bonded to him. When his father came over, and his friends came over, he was there, right? Was he happy and affectionate to them? If so, Princess probably thought "Oh, they know my Dad and he likes them, they're fine." When your mother and your friends came over, was your husband there? If he was, how did he act towards them? If your husband wasn't home, or if he was less affectionate/kind/interacting with them, then maybe Princess was like "Who are these people?! Why are they in Dad's house?! Grrrr!" It's a thought.
I know with my Basenji mix- she is totally bonded to my roommate. If my roommate brings people over, or greets them at the door and is totally laid back with them, my Basenji will be too. But if I'm home alone and people come over, or if I bring people in that my roommate doesn't necessarily like, the Basenji takes that as a hint, and becomes a growling, barking, protective mess. I know she's just protecting her Mom's territory, but it's really awkward and embarrassing sometimes.
