Hello,
First time poster here.

I took in my strong stubborn little guy in November and he's 24weeks old.
He's also my first doggo. I've gotten used to the basenji stubbornness and leash pulling (although there will probably be another post about it later).

We (girlfriend and I) took him to basic pup training to get him more used to the basics with other dogs around. He's always distracted but thankfully basics like sit and let go and stay he's pretty good at since we've worked with him since day 1.

We've noticed though that in the small dog run he's a bit of a bully and always hard headed when it comes to leaving a barking dog alone , and wrestling them down. He used to be nippy but now is just doing the typical basenji wrestling which still is rough with the smaller dogs we see. He's also shown signs of resource guarding when it come to ball chasing, ball stealing, drinking water and even , growling at times. He never does this with us, only with other dogs.

We decided to take him to the adjacent larger dog run. From even 2 months of age he's held his own and hasn't been afraid to play with the big dogs. Hes able to hold his own and he was doing fine until one day his resource guarding kicked in with a larger dog who wouldnt let go of the ball...

He was bitten and got a puncture wound on his back, and under his neck. Took him to the emergency vet and he's resting at home now.

What can I do to prevent this behavior from happening. I know he has so much fun at the park, more fun than I can ever give him, but never again if he can't control himself. I just want my first dog to have fun and be happy but I just don't know what to work on.

What can we do?

[Edit]: consensus seems like leave the dog park if people dont follow the etiquette, however I want to work with him to avoid the behavior not just deprive him of something he loves the other 95% of the time he's there.

@eeeefarm yes I did all my research as a first time owner and never brought toys to the park trying to do my best I never fought over him with toys.yet this behavior still just showed itself and I want to know why and what I can do.

@tanza agreed I don't like toys there but they were there when some owner threw a ball. I know my little guy has the issue because with any other dog he grabs the balls and keeps away even if it includes growling. Thankfully no attacking though only body language and vocalizations

@elbrant this just sounds too funny

@elbrant this just sounds too funny

@alibobo yea that's how I'd word it too actually extreme assertion because he doesn't really injure anyone but just maintains his place

@tanza agreed I don't like toys there but they were there when some owner threw a ball. I know my little guy has the issue because with any other dog he grabs the balls and keeps away even if it includes growling. Thankfully no attacking though only body language and vocalizations

@eeeefarm yes I did all my research as a first time owner and never brought toys to the park trying to do my best I never fought over him with toys.yet this behavior still just showed itself and I want to know why and what I can do.

Hello,
First time poster here.

I took in my strong stubborn little guy in November and he's 24weeks old.
He's also my first doggo. I've gotten used to the basenji stubbornness and leash pulling (although there will probably be another post about it later).

We (girlfriend and I) took him to basic pup training to get him more used to the basics with other dogs around. He's always distracted but thankfully basics like sit and let go and stay he's pretty good at since we've worked with him since day 1.

We've noticed though that in the small dog run he's a bit of a bully and always hard headed when it comes to leaving a barking dog alone , and wrestling them down. He used to be nippy but now is just doing the typical basenji wrestling which still is rough with the smaller dogs we see. He's also shown signs of resource guarding when it come to ball chasing, ball stealing, drinking water and even , growling at times. He never does this with us, only with other dogs.

We decided to take him to the adjacent larger dog run. From even 2 months of age he's held his own and hasn't been afraid to play with the big dogs. Hes able to hold his own and he was doing fine until one day his resource guarding kicked in with a larger dog who wouldnt let go of the ball...

He was bitten and got a puncture wound on his back, and under his neck. Took him to the emergency vet and he's resting at home now.

What can I do to prevent this behavior from happening. I know he has so much fun at the park, more fun than I can ever give him, but never again if he can't control himself. I just want my first dog to have fun and be happy but I just don't know what to work on.

What can we do?

[Edit]: consensus seems like leave the dog park if people dont follow the etiquette, however I want to work with him to avoid the behavior not just deprive him of something he loves the other 95% of the time he's there.