Socializing Question

[spitfirekrl1]

I was walking (recently adopted) Alani this morning and ran into a girl who was walking her lab puppy. The puppy really wanted to say hi and Alani was pulling but I'm not sure it was to say hi (her tail wasn't wagging and she was tufting her spine fur). The girl asked if they could say hi and I was a little reluctant so we slowly walked a little closer and I kept her collar real tight until I could read her body language a little better. They got a little closer and Alani and the puppy were just smelling each other. Then the puppy was wanting to play and was jumping up and Alani started to growl like she was going to attack her. So of course we decided to leave. My question now is, how should I keep her socialized with dogs if she acts like she's going to attack them? I don't want either dog getting bit because I know how detrimental this can be. Would greatly appreciate any feedback.

[Quercus]

Meeting and greeting on leash can be a real problem. The tension created by the collar tightening on the dog's neck can cause a normal dog to act defensively/aggressively. But, of course, doing intros off lead is stressful for everyone, and not practical as well. The best solution, is to try to keep your lead loose, and stay calm. If your dog doesn't look like they want to meet the other dog, just say 'my dog isn't comfortable meeting dogs while on lead' or something similar.

That is kind of a quick answer. There is a lot more you could do as far as intervention and training with positive reinforcement. But it is a long and complicated process. The best resource I have found is "Click to Calm" by Emma Parsons.

Also, see the *that dog thread. A lot of basenjis don't care to meet other dogs, or puppies no matter how cute! The puppy was in need of reprimand according to Alani...whether or not she would have hurt her we don't know (and can't risk finding out).

I guess I would have done just what you did, and as soon as the interaction turned bad, off we go...

[spitfirekrl1]

I definately agree that she thought the puppy needed repremanding and is not a big fan of puppy behavior. We went to my nephews football game on Sunday and there was a Saint Bernard where we were sitting...huge. The owner said he wouldn't mind her because again I was a little aprehensive. She sniffed him and then was fine..he, of course, didn't budge at all. Then a guy sat by the both of us with a turkey leg (which I though was really stupid) and she smelled it first and then saw that the Bernard was inching torward him as well. She decided that if any one was getting that leg it should be her. She put up her fur and started growling at him furociously (he again didn't seem to even acknoledge her). The guy with the turkey leg decided it was time to move on (good thinking).

[Quercus]

<<She decided that if any one was getting that leg it should be her. She put up her fur and started growling at him furociously (he again didn't seem to even acknoledge her). The guy with the turkey leg decided it was time to move on (good thinking).>>

Ha, I can just envision this in my mind! Especially the St. Bernard going 'whatever'....

[YodelDogs]

There are two articles that I highly recommend for this situation.

Handling On-Lead Aggression (http://www.flyingdogpress.com/onldagg.html)

He Just Wants to Say "Hi" (http://www.flyingdogpress.com/sayhi.html)

[spitfirekrl1]

I read both of those articles this morning and they were very helpful. I thought that the reason for the growling was because she just didn't like the way the puppy was behaving (I didn't really like it either) and seems to be true. It brought up another question that I'm going to post in a different section on how to treat dominance (am i to sit back and let her do her thing? or is she being rude and is there an action I need to be taking?). Thank you very much for those links I greatly appreciate it.

[JoeyQ]

I too read the articles and more (because I need to). Lots of good stuff there. Thanks for the referral. I actually am dealing with these issues right now as I have a house guest...Apolo, a retriever mix!

[pedro]

HI, i take my basenji to the dog park where there are over 30 dogs in a fence in area and the only problem i have with him is pit bulls and dobermans!. but he does growl everytime i take him there but i just talk to him and change my attitude to thanking there will be no fightin and it's a nice day to play!! and it does help but , give the basenji 5 mins to introduce them to each other. and he always puts his hair up at the entrance.