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11 answers

Both, my dog does this everytime he smells another dog near or a person in our yard, he doesn't always bark though.

2006-08-07 06:00:35 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

Raised hackles are only part of the body language the dog will be using at the time. You have to read the rest of what they are saying and trying to tell you. If at the same time the dog has it's tail low (possibly wagging) while backing away he/she would be scared. If however the tail is high and the dog is snarling then he/she is angry (depending on the dog it can be the bluff of a frightened dog, you would have to watch the eyes in that case). If the dog is making eye contact then they are more likely angry than if they are avoiding contact. I think if you look on Amazon.com you can find a video called "Calming Signal: What Your Dog Tells You". It's the best video I have seen on dog body language.

2006-08-07 12:54:43 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

Raised hackles indicate a high level of excitement in a dog. It is most often associated with fear, aggression, and impending confrontation (they are making themselves look larger and scarier). I have also seen hackles go up in high strung dogs that are playing happily with other well-known dogs and the excitement is high, but I would NEVER assume that it is okay when a dogs hackles go up. A dog in this excited state usually reacts before thinking, meaning anything or anyone that surprises/startles/upsets it can be bitten.

2006-08-07 12:30:51 · answer #3 · answered by M L 4 · 0 0

Of all my own dogs I only have one that does this with the fosters. He wants them to know he's the one in charge. I call him my dick he has to poke them with his nose and has his hair as high as it will go. He's not the biggest dog but wants the others to think so. The biggest in the house doesn't do this. I call her fog horn. She sounds like it as she runs at them growling. Each dog has a different way they try to show they are in charge of whatever is new.

2006-08-07 12:30:57 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

It is to make them look bigger to an opponent.
Anger is a complex emotion that stems from fear. When really afraid, a dog will try to get smaller- tuck in tail and crouch down.

2006-08-07 12:10:38 · answer #5 · answered by sweetsinglemom 4 · 0 0

this is a reaction coming back from when dogs were wild. it is a rom of protection to make them look bigger than what they are. If they look bigger, whatever they are scared of, or mad at will more than likely leave them alone.

2006-08-07 12:09:33 · answer #6 · answered by Just Me 6 · 0 0

When a dog put its hackles up it is a fear response.... an angry and confident dog will never bristle up, but a scared and fearfully growling dog will.

2006-08-07 12:09:27 · answer #7 · answered by mutherwulf 5 · 0 0

This is threat. they could be threatenig because they are mad or because they are scared. Be VERY careful with a dog doing this, doen't matter if thay are mad or scared they could bite!

2006-08-07 12:21:23 · answer #8 · answered by ragapple 7 · 0 0

Both.. but in general they are being protective and defensive.

Oh and FYI the actual term is called "hackles" for example. "Why are my dog's hackles raised?"

2006-08-07 12:08:21 · answer #9 · answered by Kamunyak 5 · 0 0

both depending on the situation

2006-08-07 12:06:34 · answer #10 · answered by Mishelle W 2 · 0 0

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