HAckels

[Tiger]

HEllo

As you all can tell i am extremly new to the world of dogs! I JUST had a question about hackels when a puppy hackles is it fear or defensive? Or cAN IT BE both? ALSO i have to say whenever my pup has felt insecure he will hackle like at other dogs that he is "unsure of" i was just wondering if this is common for a puppy? when i said insecure before that is what i mean if my puppy feels insecure about something he will hackle. I was told by someone just because my puppy has hackeld at silly things before he will never make a good prospect to be in schH or Personal protection work. Any input would be great. thanks.

[Tiger]

OH and i just wanted to add that another person told me that JUST because a puppy may hackle sometimes during its fear phases does not mEAN that hes not a prospect for schH or PP AS long as the pup shows general overall confidence in many situations and isnt dead scared of one thing. SO as u can see im confused as to which is right lol

[Schaeferhund]

"I was told by someone just because my puppy has hackeld at silly things before he will never make a good prospect to be in schH or Personal protection work."


Some people are very quick to write off other people's dogs.
Puppies go through fear stages, puppies are caucious of new weird things (some are not, but they're rather exeptions), it depends on how you deal with it, as to if it will have a consequence on the future training.


As for hackling, dog hackle out of fear or agression, my bitch hackles out of pleasure, when she's just runnung around in snow for example You have to look at overall behaviour to determine which is which.

[Currmudgeon]

Tiger said:

when a puppy hackles is it fear or defensive?

Defensive is fear.

i have to say whenever my pup has felt insecure he will hackle like at other dogs that he is "unsure of" i was just wondering if this is common for a puppy? when i said insecure before that is what i mean if my puppy feels insecure about something he will hackle.

Puppies go through a series of fear stages, when they exhibit heightened fear reactions. I suspect this is something that helps them grow into big, confident dogs and in the wild may prevent them from becoming lunch. It's normal. Watch the trend, not the extremes.

Hackling makes the dog look bigger. Sometimes, that's not an altogether bad thing, when you only weigh twelve pounds.

I was told by someone just because my puppy has hackeld at silly things before he will never make a good prospect to be in schH or Personal protection work.

I would say it's premature to judge your dog in or out when it is a puppy. Unless you are in a hurry, and like the idea of rejecting potentially fine animals, give him time.

[Tiger]

HEllo

Thanks for the replyies. Its just you hear so many diff thigns from diff people you never know whos right or whos wrong sometimes lol But just curious i guess as normal puppyies get older they are more and more confidant? I noticed my friends dog would get scared around other dogs also when it was tiny but at 8 months it was A LOT more confidant around them. WHen a dog reaches 2 is that usually when they are most confidant? assuming we train and socialize them right.

[Nicole]

I work in a facility in which we run a daycare that on any given day has between 70-100 dogs in our care. When we are training a new 'yard' worker, the first rule we tell them is "Hackles mean nothing - you've got to watch the rest of the action for your cues."

Hackles are used simply to make a dog look bigger. Even the best socialized, well rounded dogs that we see in the facility will hackle when they're startled, playing rough, or even excited at seeing one of their best dog friends. It CAN be a fear thing, it can be an excitement thing, it can be a play thing.... the reasons vary.

I personally don't think that puppy hackling at silly things is any indication at all of how great of a sport or PP Prospect the dog will be as an adult at all.

Great to see you join the world of dogs, and our board! Welcome!!!

[Currmudgeon]

Tiger said:

I noticed my friends dog would get scared around other dogs also when it was tiny but at 8 months it was A LOT more confidant around them.

That's the sort of thing I like to watch for. Are the dog's reactions appropriate?

[Tiger]

HEllo

Ty for the reply. STrangly i took him to my friends house the other day and my friend has 2 border colie mutts who are not agressive or dominant dogs but nervous shy dogs kinda submissive and will bark up a storm if they feel a bit nervous anyways my dog met them they barked at him like crazy he didnt even care and STILL tried to sniff them! eventually he did and they got along ok HOWEVER them being submissive and my dog being dominant i did't dare leave him offleash around them because i know how rough and crazy he can get specially around dogs who are shy or reserved.

[freundhund]

Tiger

There is a book by a Norweigian lady called Turid Rugaas about dogs body language. I apologise but I am unable to locate this book earlier but I am in the process of moving.

The book is called "On Talking Terms With Dogs: alming Signals" by Turid Rugaas

Introduction by Terry Ryan

Publisher:
Legacy By Mail, Inc.
PO Box 794
Kula, HI 96790
USA

Toll-free office voice/fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Web Page: www.Legacy-By-Mail.com

Sorry I believe that this is a private publication. And this is the only information I have about obtaining this book.

The book explains basic dog body Language and how to deal with it. This lady I believe also lectures and may be you could find out if she does them in the US if that is where you are.

Regards

Freundhund

[Nicole]

You can also visit her website at:

www.canis.no/rugaas/index.php


Funny that you should mention Turid. I cannot say enough wonderful things about the woman. She is -hands down- the finest dog behaviorist I have and will ever see. She'll be in New England for a 3 day seminar at our facility (that's how much we like her!) in early April and I know she'll be back in the states in Colorado for the APDT conference in the fall.

The Calming Signals book referenced in the last post is available pretty widespread, I do believe. You can probably pick it up off of Dogwise. com

I'll post a separate subject in this section for our seminar. Anyone who is close enough to get here, its worth the trip!