Obsessive sniffing

Behavioral Issues
Log in to reply
  • PujiP

    We took Charlie, our 5 1/2 month old pup, to the dog park today. For the past month, he's been very good about coming when called (to our delight), but today he met up with a dog that he just would not stop following and sniffing. We called him as usual, but he didn't even lift his head. We tried running the other way while calling him, but to no avail. First, he tried to engage the dog in play, but when that didn't work, he just followed him obsessively with his nose wedged between the other dog's hind legs - in spite of the dog sitting down and snarling at him!! This went on for at least 5 minutes, until the other dog's owner got fed up and we had to carry Charlie away. Any idea what this was about? The other dog was a male terrier-like dog.

    0
  • AndrewA

    I am, by no means, an expert. In fact, if somebody else offers something to contradict me, listen to them. I will just let you know our experience: When we first started taking Booger to the park he was probably about 7 months old. At first, he didn't know what to do, but after the first visit, he quickly became an obsessive sniffer. He only wanted to sniff other dogs, which was a little awkward for us. He wasn't hurting anybody, and no other owners seemed weirded out, so we let him sort it out with the dogs he was sniffing. After the first couple of visits, he wanted to dominate all other dogs, no matter the size. He would find a dog he wanted to hump & obsess until we left the park. We could sometimes distract him, but that didn't always work out. If the other dog held its ground or smacked Booger around, we let them sort it out. We figured as long as Booger wasn't getting hurt, the other dog would tell Booger in his own doggie way "You are NOT dominant." But if the other dog just let Booger hump, we would walk over and remove Booger from the situation if it seemed to bother the other owner. If Booger continued to obsess, we would leave the park & go home. He quickly learned that obsessive humping=going home. We hate to curb his natural behavior, but it was disturbing to others who didn't understand the whole dominance thing.
    All this to say, if its a problem, pick him up & remove him from the park & go home. When you're picking him up, use a command to signal going home (I always say, "Booger, we're going home") & if he is anything like our dog, he will learn within 2 or 3 visits.

    Again, I stress & emphasize this is just my own personal experience & what we found that works. If anybody else on this forum says we did the wrong thing & just happened to get lucky, listen to them.

    Carrie & the Brindle Babes, Callie & Lola (Not Andrew)

    0
  • PujiP

    Thanks for sharing your experience and suggestions! We were just so surprised that Charlie did not get the message from the other dog's snarls and barks that he did not want to be sniffed! Oh well. We will try your method if this obsessive dog following/sniffing happens again. It should also help Charlie to learn that there are consequences for not coming when called. (When he does come to us at the dog park, he gets a double serving of cheese/hotdog treats :) )

    0
  • S

    I went to a dog behavior class and the instructor said, dogs sniff for to meet each other.
    The face is the first name, the butt is the last name..
    Sometimes dogs don't want to give their last names!
    Still makes me laugh, but its true!

    Sharron Hurlbut

    BRAT, basenji rescue

    Evergreen basenji club

    Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue

    0
  • torchsongT

    Our puppy park is a major sniffing festival…for ALL the dogs! Last time out, She-Ra sniffed one dog who pretty much didn't want to be sniffed...thank God Basenjis are fast! That dog must have chased her all over the place before finally giving up!

    And in true Basenji form once the dog gave up the chase, where did She-Ra go? Right back to the dog...hoo boy! :)

    0

Suggested Topics

  • barkB

    Vet Visit for Exam and Boosters and Anxiety

    Behavioral Issues
    5
    0 Votes
    5 Posts
    3k Views
    barkB
    @Saving thank you very much for the suggestions!
  • M

    Will not pee

    Behavioral Issues
    4
    1 Votes
    4 Posts
    2k Views
    SavingS
    I don't get other dogs in the yard but I do get foxes, she will sniff but isn't bothered.
  • P

    Newborn/Kids with My Basenji

    Behavioral Issues
    4
    1 Votes
    4 Posts
    752 Views
    eeeefarmE
    It would be useful to know more about this dog. Has resource guarding been an issue in the past? Has he bitten either you or your wife before? (a real bite, not playful nipping). Or anyone else? A dog that isn't used to children may be fearful of their loudness or quick movements. Perhaps you could do some socialization work with him, e.g. hanging around places where young kids congregate to accustom him to their noise and activity. Obviously not allowing any interaction as you are unsure of his behaviour. Dogs react differently to newborns. In my experience bitches are more likely than dogs to be tolerant, but it is very much the individual dog's reaction that counts. People have been blindsided when their supposedly tolerant and gentle dog turns out to be hostile to a young child. Bottom line, no dog should be left unsupervised around young kids, so in any event you would have to monitor his behaviour carefully once your baby arrives. On a personal note, of the five Basenjis I have owned, two bitches were entirely reliable with kids, the other was tolerant as long as they respected her space. One of the males adored children and was curious about them, the other curious but uncertain and would react to fast movements. I did not trust him and controlled any interaction closely. IMO, he would have bitten had he felt threatened. And kids, especially babies, tend to grab and pinch, ears, tails, whatever. Caution is always the safest route.
  • M

    Puppy Aggressively Biting

    Behavioral Issues
    10
    0 Votes
    10 Posts
    1k Views
    ZandeZ
    Neutering is not going to help - training is. But a good trainer will train YOU to deal with the dog. If a trainer can get him to behave but you can't - there is little to be gained from paying out money. This is something you should never have allowed to happen, but since it has, I think you should deal with it and @JENGOSMonkey has given you a good idea to start you off. Withdrawing treats is a good idea, but also, get up and walk away. He could be biting to get attention and therefore you withdraw the attention at the first sign of a bite, with a firm NO.
  • S

    Scared of people / crowds

    Behavioral Issues
    24
    0 Votes
    24 Posts
    2k Views
    tanzaT
    @sarahmiri - I would say no to carrying him.... don't pick him up, but get down to his level as Zande pointed out in her response.
  • C

    Issues with overstimulation

    Behavioral Issues
    9
    0 Votes
    9 Posts
    1k Views
    eeeefarmE
    IMO it is a myth that Basenjis cannot have good manners on a walk. Yes, great if you can do off leash, but when circumstances dictate that a leash is necessary then walking calmly without a lot of drama and pulling should be achievable. Personally I do not like long lines or flex leashes. Or allowing dogs to eat whatever they find on the ground, which can in some cases earn you a trip to the vet or worse. Like most dogs, Basenjis are not overly discriminant about what they will ingest. A short leash and being observant can protect them from unwelcome outcomes. Mental exercise will also go a long way with any dog. But one should have a definite opinion about who is running the show, and it should not be the dog....they are quite willing to take up the position should you abdicate.