Back Keeps Rising Up Around Other Dogs

[stencilized]

Hi everyone

 

Just a quick question about our Husky, Skye

 

Basically her back goes up just behind her neck each time she comes near another dog, i'm struggling to work out whether this is an agressive thing or nervous?

 

She has been bit by another dog and this seems to have made her slightly nervous and I am aswell - having a rottweiller run out of nowhere and attack at night is not pleasant! I wonder if i am giving off bad energy? or nervous energy?

 

Although she does the exact same thing with my partner. Whenever we approach a house where a dog lives, her back will rise up. She has greeted dogs before and only on a couple of occasions she has wagged her tail. Normally she does a strange snapping thing with her mouth, making me concerned she's may be agressive? I'm really not sure what it is, has anyone else experienced this?

 

 

[Andy]

I would suggest it's a bit of both.

Some dogs are friendly off lead but aggressive on lead.

It's the fight or flight reflex.

Off lead if another dog approaches they can both sniff and both have the chance to move away

when they feel uncomfortable or threatened.

However

On lead they cannot move away because they are tied to you by the lead

so they take the stance.

Look I don't know you and if you don't like me or I don't like you then I can't leave

so I'm warning you to stay away.

 

Ideally you need to find someone with an ultra calm dog.

and introduce her gently on lead.

So she can learn that on lead encounters can be good.

[stencilized]

Thanks Andy,

 

I think you may be right, the only time her tail has ever wagged was when she's either been around older dogs or calm ones.

 

We tried to team her up with a boxer dog my partner's mum owns but she ended up trying to grab his private parts

 

He was however very bouncy and probably not a good choice

 

Will have to try again and locate a nice calm creature

[thehairdresser]

It's to make herself look bigger to avoid being attacked. Although sometimes their hackles can go up when they're enjoying themselves too...according to the book I read today x

[thehairdresser]

Also dogs find it difficult to read certain dogs body language and facial expressions, particularly boxers as they are all chest and look like they are being aggressive all the time. That isn't a reason for them not to be friends though, just be cautious x

[stencilized]

Thanks Lucy for your response! Can i ask what book you were reading? might be useful!

 

We kind of got an answer at the weekend of how she is with other dogs as her lead got snagged on a gate and she sprinted across a road to another dog wagging her tail that much, i thought it may fling off! she only seemed annoyed by it, when i managed to catch her and pull her away!

[Leyka&Diva]

I agree with what has already been said. I have a girl who does this when she is over excited too xx

[BingBlaze n Skyla]

Yup when mine are playing together their hackles rise up too

[Jay]

I've noticed this more with Nikko when he is around new dogs, especially when Kodiak first came home.  I think it is pretty normal

[Sqwidge]

Eika's hackles raise when she's playing, so not necessarily nervous or aggressive.

[thehairdresser]

It was the puppy listener by Jan fennell but there's also the dog listener for older doggies too

We met a lovely husky boy and his hackles always go up around any other dog too xx

[Elyse]

Their hackles rise whenever they are aroused. This doesn't have to be sexually - anything like excitement, fear, dominance, play, and of course...aggression. 

 

I've noticed, whenever mine approaches other dogs, his hackles rise. I can tell this is from dominance because he also does the following:

- Stands on his toes to make himself seem bigger - puts head over other dog's head during initial greeting, too.

- Stance/gait is tense

- Tail is raised and curled tightly - short, stiff waving motion