Introducing your new Basenji and your established (opposite sex!) Basenji should be done with care and sensitivity, the same way as you would bring a new baby into the household. The established Basenji is used to being the only "baby" in the household, and suddenly you are bringing in an "interloper" on his or her turf. Be sure to give the established one lots of attention, too.
The Need To Sort Out "Pack Order"
Basenjis are very interested in "pack order," and their first order of business is to get straight who is "top dog." Whoever they decide that is, you need to support their decision so that they won't have to continually squabble about it.
The very best combinations seems to be dogs who are a bit different in their needs for dominance. A less outgoing dog may get along better with a more confident dog better than he would with another less outgoing dog, for instance. Two dogs who are both determined to be "alphas" can also be troublesome together—even if they are of the opposite sex.
One thing to remember when assessing personality combinations: the truly "alpha" dog is not the dog who makes all the noise. The noisemaker is most likely an "alpha wannabe"—possibly even a "fear-biter." True alphas seldom have to prove their dominance—other dogs just seem to sense that they are alpha and respect their status. Some true "alphas" can be quite affable. They can afford to be.
How To Introduce Them
Introductions should be done in neutral territory, if possible. Use a fenced-in back yard or the cellar of your home—somewhere which is not a usual place for your established Basenji to go.
Put a collar and a 1-foot grab leash on each of them, and turn them loose. Stay out of it! I would expect a bit of stiff-legged posturing when they first meet, and possibly a little growling display, but soon they should both be off investigating something else.
Absolute worst case is that they try to attack each other immediately to proved dominance. Do not interfere unless it looks to be escalating into a truly hurtful fight. Most of the time the worst thing that will happen is that one of the dogs will bowl the other one over on his or her back and stand over him or her until the other "submits."
If they get along just fine after a bit of stiff-legged display, that is wonderful and you can go ahead and integrate the new one into the household.
If they attack each other on sight, pull them apart by the 1-foot grab leashes so you don't get accidentally bitten, and you might need to crate them within visual distance of each other overnight. The next morning take them for a walk together--near each other but not touching and then try the introductions again.
Praise both of them mightily when they are behaving well with each other. You might even hand-feed a small treat to each of them.
Avoiding "Set-up" Situations With Two Dogs
There are four things which can start a squabble with dogs (and people, too!):
- Sex - Two dogs of the same sex are more likely than not to spell trouble—if not now, then down the line when they are about a year old. This is true even if they are neutered or spayed. (In neutering or spaying, you alter the "nether regions," but you don't neuter the head.)
- Food - Dropping food on the floor is a setup for a fight. Feed them both in their crates. We would recommend against using rawhides until you the dogs know each other very well (and sometimes even then). Some dogs will turn into slavering beasts over them.
- Attention - from "the boss"
- They may both want to be under your armpit when you are lying down. Put one on either side of you.
- They both may want to be petted simultaneously. (See above)
- If you have one in your lap, he or she may play, "I'm in the lap—and YOU'RE NOT! (and growl fiercely) Both in the lap simultaneously is difficult to do. Scratch one's ears and have the other in your lap.
- They may "grandstand" for you. Like small children, they may be getting along just fine until they see that you are there to observe. "Changing the subject" frequently helps this--ask them both if they want a cookie, and make them both "Sit!"
- Crowding - bumping into each other in a doorway or accidentally colliding outside when running are two times when snarking may occur. Sometimes there is not much you can do about it except be aware that it may occur.
Copyright © 2001 by Janine Peters & Betsy Polglase
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