Skip to content
Basenji Forums
  1. Home
  2. Behavioral Issues
  3. Aggression to another female.

Aggression to another female.

Behavioral Issues
  • tanzaT

    @sarahlorrain:

    Ugh, never mind. They got in another fight last night just as I was letting my guard down. I'm going to have to find a new home for Lady. If she keeps picking fights, Raven is going to seriously hurt her. :(

    Why would Lady be the one to go? She was there first, correct? And since you are not "privy" to dog language… how do you know that it is Lady that picks the fights?

    In my house, last in, first goes... if it becames necessary... and I have had times that I had to place one of mine due to fighting and not getting along with another bitch in the house. It was the youngest that was placed...

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

    0
  • tanzaT

    @sarahlorrain:

    Because Raven is a better fit for our family than Lady is.

    Well I hope that you contact BRAT for her placement. I think it is a shame that you are giving up on the one that has been there the longest….

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

    0
  • S

    I knew you guys wouldn't agree with me; and I'm sorry for that. I checked out the BRAT website, and it looks like like they want $100 to place her? Is that right? I would definately prefer to have her go to someone who can appreciate the Basenji breed. She would be a wonderful dog in a one-dog home. She's potty trained, doesn't chew things up, doesn't wreck the yard, etc. You just can't crate her; she'll ruin a crate; even a metal one.

    As far as who's picking the fights … Lady will growl when Raven is walking by and then just jump her and it goes from there.

    0
  • S

    Oh, I also wanted to mention the other reason why I feel Lady is the one at fault (in the fights) is because in her previous home she fought with ALL of the other dogs, but the other dogs didn't fight with each other.

    0
  • S

    I looked at the form on the BRAT website. I believe she is purebred, but I don't have any documentation of that. I need to get her immunizations dates from my vet before I can fill it out. If it won't cost me much money, I don't mind placing her through BRAT. I could give a small donation.

    0
  • khanisK

    It sure as heck should not cost you to have BRAT place her.
    They will bring in a fee when placing her anyways.
    You can also contact one of the several BCOA breeders in TX that do rescue.
    She sounds like a dog that needs to be in an only dog home.
    Just the info from her previous home suggested that.
    I am shocked that you would have considered adding another dog knowing that she already was dog-agressive.
    The thing with Lady is that you have NO idea what her homelife has always been. People that place dogs up for re-homing never tell all the story.
    Lots of times it makes them look bad and they just want the dog in another home.
    Don't bother flaming me as I have done more than enough rescue to know that this is true.
    Sounds like Lady would love a home with a family with someone home all day to dote on her and allow her to be a princess.
    Best of luck with her.

    Kathy Britton

    Khani's Basenjis

    Portland, Oregon

    ….."You're just jealous because the voices only talk to me!"

    0
  • S

    Well, at first we thought the fighting at the previous home was because of the other dogs because there was only conflict with our small dog for about 2 days. But, now I'm thinking she has no problem with him because he's small, male and neutered and an incredibly submissive dog. Now, I think she is a mildly aggressive dog who wants to be the alpha dog. I think you are 100% right that she needs to be an only dog with people who can allow her to be the princess she thinks she is. I'll fill out that BRAT form as best I can and we'll see what happens from there.

    0
  • QuercusQ

    @sarahlorrain:

    Well, at first we thought the fighting at the previous home was because of the other dogs because there was only conflict with our small dog for about 2 days. But, now I'm thinking she has no problem with him because he's small, male and neutered and an incredibly submissive dog. Now, I think she is a mildly aggressive dog who wants to be the alpha dog. I think you are 100% right that she needs to be an only dog with people who can allow her to be the princess she thinks she is. I'll fill out that BRAT form as best I can and we'll see what happens from there.

    I wish Lady the best of luck, however the situation works out. But I seriously hope you won't label her even 'mildly' aggressive because of her interactions with Raven. Her behavior is NORMAL dog behavior, of course she wants to be the alpha dog, she is a basenji bitch!!! she is using the means that she has to reinforce her status as the dog with the highest social ranking in the house. If you don't want to keep her, because she doesn't work out with the new dog, don't blame it on her. Just say "a basenji isn't right for my family, we would rather have a lab"

    Andrea Walters

    Quercus Basenjis

    NW Ohio

    0
  • renaultf1R

    @Quercus:

    I wish Lady the best of luck, however the situation works out. But I seriously hope you won't label her even 'mildly' aggressive because of her interactions with Raven. Her behavior is NORMAL dog behavior, of course she wants to be the alpha dog, she is a basenji bitch!!! she is using the means that she has to reinforce her status as the dog with the highest social ranking in the house. If you don't want to keep her, because she doesn't work out with the new dog, don't blame it on her. Just say "a basenji isn't right for my family, we would rather have a lab"

    Best of luck to you and Lady, I hope that Raven works out better for your family…and yes, please don't label her as "mildly aggressive"...especially when your first post on the board said that this is how you acquired her:

    A friend gave us a beautiful female Basenji named Lady yesterday. Our friend has many dogs and one of them (a Heeler) doesn't get along with Lady. He would pick fights with her contantly. Because the Heeler is a work dog and trained to his owner's liking, she decided she had to part with Miss Lady.

    0
  • S

    BRAT does not charge to take in b's.
    So, once your ap is filled out, I am sure you will be contacted by someone to get this girl into her next home.

    Sharron Hurlbut

    BRAT, basenji rescue

    Evergreen basenji club

    Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue

    0
  • mauigirlM

    My concern with this situation is that the issues these two are having is something that should have come about during a trial period. Were they introduced on neutral ground? Were they in the same space for HOURS before you decided to adopt the lab?
    I think that maybe the decision to adopt the lab wasn't thought through as completely as it could have been and it's unfair that as a result Lady will have to go through another major life change. If you're going to add another animal to the household, and this is as big a life change for Lady as it is for you, I think you owed it to her to make sure this other dog could be her friend and integrate into the pack. Maybe your assumption was that all dogs do (should?) get along, no questions asked. Not all humans get along, that is for sure, so why do we expect this of dogs?
    I agree with other comments that in no way should Lady be labeled aggresive for how she interacts with Raven.

    Also Lady's growling when you pick up her possibly suggests that she sees herself as leader of the pack. Basenjis need a very strong alpha human to keep things in order. If she sees herself as ruler of the household she's dealing with an intruder who became part of the family without any of her input and certainly not her approval.

    0

Suggested Topics

  • Heinz57H

    Aggressive Behavior

    Behavioral Issues
    6
    0 Votes
    6 Posts
    3k Views
    NemoN
    A way to do what Debra is suggesting in a game format is Crate Games, which you can get on DVD. You said this happens when you are getting ready to leave. Pay attention to exactly what you are doing before you leave and then see how your dog is reacting. You should be able to pick up on the cues that your dog is picking up on. You can try changing the pattern of how you get ready and potentially remove the cue to lessen the behavior until you can build the good associations others described. visit BCOA on Facebook. http://facebook.com/basenji.org
  • kdubs518K

    Fear Aggression

    Behavioral Issues
    9
    0 Votes
    9 Posts
    4k Views
    kdubs518K
    Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I know I have a lot of work ahead of me, but she is definitely worth it. I'd do anything for my best friend! Oh! I think we're having some progress with her. My neighbor's granddaughter is staying the week. The first few days Pippin would bark at her anytime she got near the fence. I had the girl just sit at the fence and I would treat Pip every time she looked at the girl or walked near the fence. Eventually I had Pip eating treats out of her hand!!! (I told the girl not to try to give her treats or pet her unless I'm outside, of course. Just in case Pippin would get spooked.) But I'm super excited about this progress!
  • G

    Female aggression to older female

    Behavioral Issues
    14
    0 Votes
    14 Posts
    3k 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.
  • RHicksR

    Vet aggression

    Behavioral Issues
    9
    0 Votes
    9 Posts
    4k Views
    MacPackM
    Take a small rubber backed rug, like a bathroom rug, to put on the metal table, then it won't slip and he will have good footing, and the smell of home to comfort him. Combined with all of the above positive reinforcement and lots of 'drop in' vet visits. Anne in Tampa
  • 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.
  • wizardW

    Bedtime aggression

    Behavioral Issues
    21
    0 Votes
    21 Posts
    8k Views
    youngandtiredY
    Sahara never gets grumpy when she has to move or I move her myself. When she was a puppy I always tried to get her use to being moved, and I just couldn't keep my hands off of her when she was sleeping. Just like a sweet little baby, I just had to sweet talk her and rub her, she looked so sweet and lovable. I still have a had time leaving her alone, hubby too when she is sleeping. She is great, when she is sleeping in my lap and I have to get up, I just say, "Sahara, Mommy has to get up". She immediately gets up and moves and goes to lay down in her bed or in the guest room where it is usually nice and dark (no lights on). I read on here when she was a puppy to get her use to being moved when she was sleeping and I thank this forum for that. I took the advice and Sahara is all the good for that. She still growls and puts my wrist in her mouth when I get in my car, she hates to see me leave. I am still working on this behavior, hope the water bottle stops it for good.:D