Baja Dog Behavior and Language

Dogs have a real communication advantage---they all speak the same language!

Two local dogs meet at the new stadium in Bahia Asuncion--the alpha challenge---



Looks like the little guy is looking away and giving alpha to the big guy.



Opps, wrong! Big guy loses!



And this is what happens when you put a leash on a dog in Baja.



Our dogs love Baja where they really get to be dogs. We love opening the front door in the mornings and let them go on their morning walk about around the dunes. Tom makes friends with all the local dogs, and little Maggie chases all who will run from her---the bigger they are, the better.

Diane



[Edited on 6-3-2008 by jdtrotter]

Dog Good Observations

I am still in the observation stage. For the most part, dogs seem to establish their hierarchy among themselves, off leash. Usually, they work it out among themselves, with some posturing, but the outcome is usually peaceful.

On leash, they tend to think they have to be protective and act out in aggressive ways, sometimes. It is difficult to predict what dogs are going to do. Little dogs like Jack Russels and c-ckapoodle types are usually the most hostile.

In Baja, my big dog, Paco gets to run and exercise off leash. He has undergone strong and reinforced obedience training and I am confident that he is totally under my control. Mexican street dogs, which often run in packs, seem to run from him. Just the sight of him intimidates them. When they do meet face to face, they seem to defer to him. He is Alfa! All of this is done with non aggression.

Paco loves all dogs and all people. He is very naive. All he wants to do is play. That puts off some dogs and some people. With people I can usually reassure them that he is friendly. He will always back me up. But some people aren't used to dogs and I try to put them at ease. If I can see by their body language that they are afraid, I put him on the leash (which I always carry), and pass them by.

With dogs it is different. As I said before, they usually work it out. He has only been in three fights in his five year old life; once he was attacked by a Pit Bull, once by an older and larger, scarred malamute/husky type, and the third time was just this week by a Female Rotweiller. That was here in Northern California. My dog approached her and she attacked with no warning. I scolded the owner by saying "there is a reason why that breed has a bad reputation. He should be on leash at all times and you should anticipate her aggressive behavior."

With the Pit Bull, the owner immediately tackled his dog, grabbed him and rolled him off. With the other two, I ran up, shouting "NO!" and they separated quickly....no harm done.

I never take other dogs for granted. I am right there to protect my dog, if necessary. I am being objective with this report.

However, I am capable of being subjective when I boast that he is the best dog one could ever want. He is not a chronic barker..............Training! He is not aggressive............training. And he is not a nuisance.............training. Paco is also blessed with the genetic make up that makes him the best dog I have ever known. Photo to follow.

Paco

Photo of Paco

And this is what happens when you put a leash on a dog in Baja.

Dog freedom is one of the cazillion things I appreciate about village life in Baja. Dog fights are extremely rare and they just work it all out using the mexican law of respect.
That golden lab is a famous beach dog who is always in the water, the kids throw sand balls and he spends hours chasing them in the surf...it's fun to watch him get wiped out by a big wave...he loves it.
Here is our Shami dog relaxing on the patio...a baja moment.

Gees,

Guess if I ever do another post with ANYTHING to do about dogs, I will keep it VERY specific to Bahia Asuncion---otherwise, it always seems to bring out controversy.

1. Shari is correct, that big ole lab is everywhere and plays with all the kids. It was just fun to watch the little guy take control.

2. There are a VERY few in Bahia Asuncion who walk a dog on a leash and I just smiled at the little girl trying to get her little chihuahua to cooperate.

3. The only "real" dog fight I have seen in BA was over a female and it was a lot more noise and flashing of teeth than anything else.

4. Since there is NO gringo community in BA it is different, and we like it that way. Since we don't trust our dogs and cars, we keep them in the house or yard most of the time, but we also let them out to run in the dunes and when we walk down the dirt roads or on the beach they are NOT on leashes. Tom loves his morning walkabout checking all the bushes to see who has visited in the night.

Maggie comes back quickly, but Tom usually stays out a while, especially if his friends are visiting.

5. Yes, our little Maggie will chase other dogs, but they work it out, and the people there let the dogs work things out.

6. There are some VERY well treated dogs in Bahia Asuncion---one little white one even rides with the security patrol.

7. There is not the street dog problem that is elsewhere.

So now, the downside. But it is NOT the same as it is in some parts of Mexico

1. Too many puppies and we know some of them are disposed of----need a clinic badly.

2. A few dogs tied up on too short of ropes---hate seeing that

3. Closest Vet care is in Vizcaino--

4. Some dogs obviously with worms and other problems that need attention.

5. Couple of real shaggy dogs that need care desperately---would love to take our clippers to them.

6. Some do get run over and that is NEVER fun to see.

WE HOPE that as more gringos build homes and move full or part time to Bahia Asuncion, they don't try to change things---except maybe a vet clinic.

This is our little monster Maggie---yes, she will bark and run at people---easy to call back and does not bite--just wants everyone to go away. All the workers around just laugh at her and have their favorite nicknames for her.

And yes, she will try to indimidate any other dog, but the local dogs who wander down into the dunes around our place are used to her.



Sometimes I think this forum is absolutely amazing. Even a couple of pictures of typical dog interaction can cause controversy.

Diane





[Edited on 6-3-2008 by jdtrotter]

Diane,

all the times I have been in our town, I have never had a dog problem, heck we even adopted a puppy from San Roque, she is a wonderful dog, and we couldn't live without her.

Me and my San Roque pup



Everyone needs to remember this is BAJA, not the US or Canada. I appreciate your dog posts and everyone's dog posts, so please keep them coming.

P.S. I agree with the vet clinic, that would be a wonderful thing.

[Edited on 6-3-2008 by Bajagypsy]

Diane is right.
Asuncion is a different kind of place than many other locations in Baja.
I think it is mainly the people; they are considerate and kind as a whole.
I don't think anyone in Asuncion would allow a dangerous dog to run free or to bark all night, for that matter.
I have never seen a loose dog that one would be afraid of in Asuncion.
They are all friendly to my 2 yellow labs; just curious to say hi.
Now that little one of Diane's is another matter !

WARNING! My dog was brutally attacked in Asuncion.

Quote:

Originally posted by Diver ..... I don't think anyone in Asuncion would allow a dangerous dog to run free ... I have never seen a loose dog that one would be afraid of in Asuncion.... They are all 'friendly' to my 2 yellow labs; just curious to say HI!-HI! Now that little one of Diane's is another matter !

On a recent trip to Asuncion town square, my elder lab was ravaged by the notorious El Diablo Blanco of San Roque.

NOTICE:

Free to good home:

Coming soon, place request now.

Black/white curly-coated pups. Small sizes expected. May have eye problems.

Love it.

Diane:

I appreciate the pictures and I will share that our long term goal is to end up down in your neck of the woods. We love northern Baja but it is starting to resemble the problems of NOB is some ways (too many people/traffic/etc).

Dakota, our Yellow Lab loves to run on the beach and I frequently include her in my articles as she is a very big part of our life here. I couldn't imagine "harnessing" her when all she wants from life is to run free on the beach and play in the surf.

Maybe we have just been lucky but in all these years we have never had a single problem, in spite of encountering a legion of different dogs along the way over time.

That free spirit is what connects us to this special place. My favorite photo is one I took of my daughter and Dakota, just days before Olivia would suddenly be taken from us. Seeing Dakota on a leash in that photo somehow wouldn't quite feel the same.

Thanks again for the pictures and story. You put a big smile on my face today.




[Edited on 6-17-2008 by BajaGringo]

dog for cread

so what do you think our dog is saying? Throw me another tecate papi! good thing there is no legal drinking age for perros!

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaGringo Quote: Originally posted by jdtrotter WE HOPE that as more gringos build homes and move full or part time to Bahia Asuncion, they don't try to change things---except maybe a vet clinic. Diane: I appreciate the pictures and I will share that our long term goal is to end up down in your neck of the woods. We love northern Baja but it is starting to resemble the problems of NOB is some ways (too many people/traffic/etc). Dakota, our Yellow Lab loves to run on the beach and I frequently include her in my articles as she is a very big part of our life here. I couldn't imagine "harnessing" her when all she wants from life is to run free on the beach and play in the surf. Maybe we have just been lucky but in all these years we have never had a single problem, in spite of encountering a legion of different dogs along the way over time. That free spirit is what connects us to this special place. My favorite photo is one I took of my daughter and Dakota, just days before Olivia would suddenly be taken from us. Seeing Dakota on a leash in that photo somehow wouldn't quite feel the same. Thanks again for the pictures and story. You put a big smile on my face today. [Edited on 6-17-2008 by BajaGringo]

happy dog...

Comitan residents, past and present, and Comitan frequenters may appreciate this pic of a happy dog enjoying a swim in the hacienda del SUN pool. Dec 2007