Hackles up... means.. ?

chelle · 10-22-2011, 11:40 PM

Ok, hackles. I want to talk about hackles.

Every once in awhile, Bailey's hackles raise, but it is at the FRONT of his body only, at the shoulder area, going back maybe 3-4 inches?. It's typically when at play or alert. It's only every once in awhile and I can't find a "pattern" to when they come up or don't.

BUT I've seen his mother's hackles raise all the way to her TAIL. Namely when a strange guy came in the yard awhile back.

Is there a difference when their hackles raise only at the front vs when they raise up ALL the way to the back?

What are raised hackles telling you, as the owner???

BR870 · 10-22-2011, 11:45 PM

Hackles up is a sign of high arousal. Often fear or aggression, but it can just be arousal.

KSdogowner · 10-22-2011, 11:48 PM

Max's hackles are raised only in the front when he is playing around with Sophie or Lexie. I think in his case it is him getting excited. The complete raising of hackles is more an alert/caution thing..at least that is the case with Max.

Rott-n-GSDs · 10-22-2011, 11:51 PM

My female OS my only tackle raiser, and she does just what you describe: front tackles for play, all the way to the tail when in protection mode.

msvette2u · 10-23-2011, 12:07 AM

Arousal, as others said. This can mean fear, sometimes aggression (although aggression is often fear based) and even cold (shivering).

chelle · 10-23-2011, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by msvette2u

Arousal, as others said. This can mean fear, sometimes aggression (although aggression is often fear based) and even cold (shivering).

Arousal... as in just excited, hyper, happy?

Konotashi · 10-23-2011, 12:12 AM

Arousal, as in any type of excitement, basically. Something new, aggression, happy, etc.

chelle · 10-23-2011, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Konotashi

Arousal, as in any type of excitement, basically. Something new, aggression, happy, etc.

Ok. Good. So nothing to really worry about for the most part, unless there's something else going on to alert me, or it comes off as aggressive or unless I see them raise to the tail.? I've never seen that with my own pup, just very vividly remembering his mom's raising the entire length of her back when that strange guy came in the yard... scary.

paulag1955 · 10-23-2011, 12:39 AM

Shasta's hackles go up near her shoulders every time she sees another dog...she wants to play. I've never seen her hackles go up all the way down her back.

chelle · 10-23-2011, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulag1955

Shasta's hackles go up near her shoulders every time she sees another dog...she wants to play. I've never seen her hackles go up all the way down her back.

It's an experience, all right. Scared the crap outta me!

10-22-2011, 11:40 PM	#1 (permalink)
chelle Knighted Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Des Moines, IA Posts: 2,863	Hackles up... means.. ? Ok, hackles. I want to talk about hackles. Every once in awhile, Bailey's hackles raise, but it is at the FRONT of his body only, at the shoulder area, going back maybe 3-4 inches?. It's typically when at play or alert. It's only every once in awhile and I can't find a "pattern" to when they come up or don't. BUT I've seen his mother's hackles raise all the way to her TAIL. Namely when a strange guy came in the yard awhile back. Is there a difference when their hackles raise only at the front vs when they raise up ALL the way to the back? What are raised hackles telling you, as the owner??? __________________ Dolly Eskie 6/03 Suri Shiba 10/07 Bailey WGSD/Husky x 5/11 CGC Bailey's brother Tucker (rescue/foster dude) Tiger kitty '96 Information is power

10-22-2011, 11:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
BR870 Master Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 828	Hackles up is a sign of high arousal. Often fear or aggression, but it can just be arousal. __________________ Rob Ezra von der Rennbahn Princess Abigail "Abbie" Kai (RIP) Loki (RIP)

10-22-2011, 11:48 PM	#3 (permalink)
KSdogowner Elite Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Kansas Posts: 1,313	Max's hackles are raised only in the front when he is playing around with Sophie or Lexie. I think in his case it is him getting excited. The complete raising of hackles is more an alert/caution thing..at least that is the case with Max. __________________ Elvi Lexie (Rotti-x), Max (GSD/Husky), Sophie (WGSD) R.I.P. Ozzy (GSD), Sabrie (GSD), Kaiser (GSD), Peaches (Cat) "Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending." - Maria Robinson

10-22-2011, 11:51 PM	#4 (permalink)
Rott-n-GSDs Master Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: South Range, WI Posts: 999	My female OS my only tackle raiser, and she does just what you describe: front tackles for play, all the way to the tail when in protection mode. __________________ Luna, GSD (11/22/08) Nova, GSD (07/01/07) Apollo, Rottweiler (06/28/08)

10-23-2011, 12:12 AM	#7 (permalink)
Konotashi Knighted Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Arizona Posts: 3,380	Arousal, as in any type of excitement, basically. Something new, aggression, happy, etc. __________________ Ozzy - Chocolate Pom "In a perfect world, every dog would have a home and every home would have a dog." My Photography

10-23-2011, 12:07 AM	#5 (permalink)
msvette2u Crowned Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Beautiful Pacific NW Posts: 5,533	Arousal, as others said. This can mean fear, sometimes aggression (although aggression is often fear based) and even cold (shivering).

10-23-2011, 12:39 AM	#9 (permalink)
paulag1955 Knighted Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Western Washington Posts: 2,781	Shasta's hackles go up near her shoulders every time she sees another dog...she wants to play. I've never seen her hackles go up all the way down her back. __________________ Paula Shasta - GSD (4/30/10) RIP Duchess - Shetland Sheepdog (12/25/88 - 2/14/04)

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