Hello

Just joined the forum....looks excellent. I ned a bit of help / advice on my Basenji. I got her from the RSPCA about 9 months ago. To start with she loved all other dogs. The moment she saw one she would run up to them and play chase for as long as the other dog would allow. A couple of times however the other dog was not always wanting to play and she got attacked by firstly 3 doberman, and secondly an GSD.

Know she will not go near other dogs at all. In fact when she see's another dog the whole hair on her back stands up. she will not play at all and sometimes runs in the opposite direction with her tail between her legs.

I know she wants to play as sometimes she charges up to other dogs, then realises she should be scared and runs away at half speed with her tail between her legs.

Can anyone help or offer advice as walking her is now a right pain. She should be enjoying herself not worrying about meeting other dogs.

Thanks

Trouble not all dogs like other dogs running up to them so may be if you could make friends with someone who has a dog of around the size on the basenji and walk with them each day until your dog gets used to the other dog, then you may find they will play together. But I would make sure she will return to you when called and not let her run up to strange dogs who may not welcome her attention, to make sure she does not get told off again. It is possible that she has not learned how to approach and read the other dogs body language so she has made mistakes in the past and is now not sure where she stands, unfortunately you can't teach her she has to learn dog to dog communication for herself, it is usually learned in the nest but she may have been removed from that too early.

Thanks

I think your right that she has not learnt about dog behaviour. When we got her from the RSPCA she was really excited about meeting other dogs and did not seem to know how to interact with others. I am sure she had very little or no contact with other dogs before we got her. I have been walking her over our local golf gourse where lots of dogs go, but she does not appear to be improving. She has good days and bad days.

If any one fancies trying to help a Basenji out we could meet up for a walk. We live in Reigate.

Thanks again.

You could take her to training classes, you & she would meet other dogs and people under controlled conditions and also have the chance of making arrangements to walk with one of the people you will meet there.

Hi,  I used to have a Basenji and I found her very  'cat like'  in her actions and quite often other dogs would misinterpret her body language, she would run up like yours and bow down asking to play but then box them on the nose and then proceed to charge around them at 100mph then came the yodle, that did it for all other canines, you see them think 'what the hell'
I think as previously advised smaller dogs are best, unless you realy know the big dog is 'safe' because Basenjis just speak a foreign language to the average dog.  They will take off at the slightest sniff too, so beware.  I love them tho' they are so wilfull.  Does yours  hate cigarette smoke, even the smell on peoples fingers used to make her curl her lip. Does she also wash herself like a cat?  She loved sun bathing too and always slept up high. They can get very fat too when speyed so keep an eye on her weight.
Enjoy her, hope you find some little friends
:)

Hello

Thanks for all your replys. Yes she is a little cat like, in the way she wash's etc. However she is not a full blown Basenji as she can bark.

I love her to death and she is a great little dog other than when meeting dogs on a walk. The shame is that she used to be so socialable & I know she is still keen to be.

I have found a number for training classes for adult dogs near me so will give that a go. I am still making her go on walks where other dogs will be to try to force her to be socialable.

I am alos making the point not to reinforce her fears and just ignore her when she runs off, and praise her when she plays.

Your right with the weight point too. She would quite happily lay in front of the fire all day, and yes she has been speyed, but I am making sure she gets lots of exercise.

Cheers

hi

i have the same problem where my boxer puppy runs over to any dog and does'nt seem to get the message when they tell her off she just carries on then the other dogs get angry and have a go at her, i am frightened she will be attacked or its going to make her just as unsociable as yours its a shame as they are only being friendly .

regards
jojo