What Does This Say?

[khplaw]

We've all seen the photos of Corsi with their heads slung down below their shoulders...looking rather panther-like. And rather intimidating. My Sophie does this when enticing my Bostons to play. It feels rather like she is stalking them, but her intent is not hostile. So if you understand what I am trying to ask, what does this posture actually say?

 

[Smart_Family]

She is stalking him, but as you said likely playful. We narrate our pups like a national geographic documentary when they do it.

 

[cookiedough39]

LOL...this is stalking. Not like hunting stalking though. Carma does this to my son when she wants to either sneak up on him or try to sneak a toy away from him. Just nature. I love when she does it. I can watch all day. I will add this. If your pup does this with hackles raised all bets are off. An attack just might be looming. You as the owner must recognize your pups poster and should be able to judge pretty easily.

 

[khplaw]

Wow, so I am NOT nutz! Anything involving hackles instantly gets my attention! Thanks all for informing me! This is why I LOVE this forum!

 

[musicdeb]

She is stalking him, but as you said likely playful. We narrate our pups like a national geographic documentary when they do it.

hahahahahaha

 

[musicdeb]

LOL...this is stalking. Not like hunting stalking though. Carma does this to my son when she wants to either sneak up on him or try to sneak a toy away from him. Just nature. I love when she does it. I can watch all day. I will add this. If your pup does this with hackles raised all bets are off. An attack just might be looming. You as the owner must recognize your pups poster and should be able to judge pretty easily.

Well said!

 

[Hector]

I'd like to comment on the hackles part. It's true that hackles can indicate dislike for something/aggression, but the whole posture of the dog needs to be looked at. I know for Ginger and Hector, the hackles raise when they are in a super excited state. I've seen Hector have his hackles up when he's having a ball with his doggie friend and Ginger has her hackles raised initially on our walks - she's gets super excited, it's a joy to see.

 

[Smart_Family]

Yep raised hackles and wagging tails can both mean excitement so as Hector said, look at the big picture.

 

[Bailey's Mom]

That explains something to me. I took it to mean trouble was brewing, but tail was going, she was highly alert and did a little stomping step with front feet....quivering too. I backed off the meetings where the hackles were up....maybe it wasn't necessary.

 

[jsavoni]

my girls name is Sofia!! lol
She did it this morning, she was in the middle stair platform area, and i was giving my wife a huge and kiss good bye for work. i called her name and she ran down the stairs wanting to play and excited

 

[cookiedough39]

None of the 4 dogs I have raised, ever raised hackles for excitement. I'm not saying other dogs haven't. I just have never seen it. There was a cat outside last week and Carma stalked it with hackles raised and I knew she was going to try and kill it. I guess that's why it's so important to know your dog. That's the key....get to know your dog


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[Hector]

None of the 4 dogs I have raised, ever raised hackles for excitement. I'm not saying other dogs haven't. I just have never seen it. There was a cat outside last week and Carma stalked it with hackles raised and I knew she was going to try and kill it. I guess that's why it's so important to know your dog. That's the key....get to know your dog


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I agree. I've been around a lot of dogs at the shelter, but none were my own and I've never seen the raised hackles as an excitement indicator. Only finally seen it when I had dogs of my own in the last 2 years.

 

[Smart_Family]

I've seen a couple dogs do it at the shelter and both of mine do it. Granted with Azzy's short hair she doesn't have much in the way of hackles but still.

 

[whit72]

My girl doesnt raise them, she doesnt stalk either, she met a cat the other day and peed herself. She loves all animals right now especially my mothers hot dog they run together for hours.

 

[DDSK]

It seems to be a playful challenge.
My 3 year old does this after she has made friends and feels comfortable with the other dog, she alos does this when I come home at night before burying her head into my hip and rubbing against my legs.

 

[musicdeb]

I agree. I've been around a lot of dogs at the shelter, but none were my own and I've never seen the raised hackles as an excitement indicator. Only finally seen it when I had dogs of my own in the last 2 years.

When Titan's hackles are raised, he means business. I agree, watch and know your pup's body language.

 

[khplaw]

Just an update...it's too funny! Sophie has a new friend at the park, a 16 month old female Dobie called Elle. They spot each other from across the park, and Sophie starts stalking her. Elle's owner SWEARS Elle never did the stalking thing before, now she does. They stalk each other and then barrel on rfeady for play. Really hysterically cute!

 

[cinnamon roll]

We need video of that!!

 

[khplaw]

Elle's owner was transferred out of VAFB to Lackland so no more Elle! Maybe we will meet another stalker-azzi pup sometime soon!