How would you assess and improve a dog like this?

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by K9L1 on 30 October 2020 - 05:10

How would you assess a dog that that is always willing to go forward to a threat but hackles easily. My view is that the going forward comes from the dogs strong drive but the hackling comes from fear. Both being present together probably produce a conflicted state of mind for the dog. How would you help a dog over come this? Could the hackling come from excitement instead of fear?

by Hired Dog on 30 October 2020 - 05:10

Questions like that cannot be readily answered in a forum as no one here can see the dog's body language doing what you described.
Yes, excitement can and does cause piloerection, but, again, the rest of the dog's body language must be take into account before an accurate assessment can be made.
My 6 month old puppy plays with my wife's 2 older bitches every day and he does piloerect...does that mean he is afraid of the two dogs he lives with..he is simply excited due to play.
I dont understand what you mean, "how do you help a dog over come this" as piloerection is involuntary...

by bladeedge on 30 October 2020 - 06:10

What age is the dog. What is the helper doing at this stage when it happens. Has the dog more drive than neve. What is the reward system when the dog rushed forward and how quickly do you reward if the dog is young. Is the dog anxious before the charge. Is he happy to be there. Ther is a lot of questions to answer. It sounds like the dog is being rushed in to pressure. If it was me working that dog I'd do everything in prey he will enjoy better stay forward building confidence.

by bladeedge on 30 October 2020 - 06:10

It sounds like the dog is willing to engage but when he does its not what he expects. Change the picture he sees. If you want to work a dog in protection you need to understand his cablbiltys. And what he has to offer. You need to listen and watch the dog

by jillmissal on 30 October 2020 - 09:10

I think the dog is in way too much defense and you're headed down a bad road if you keep pushing on it like that. Get the dog into prey, get the tail up and wagging, get the dog having a good time before you go any further.

If you don't have a VERY good trainer/decoy then stop and don't do any more of this kind of training.

by Q Man on 30 October 2020 - 10:10

As has been posted by others...There are many questions to understand what the dog is reacting to...Age...Situation?
Basically when a dog's Hackles go up they are reacting to the "Unknown"...They're not sure of the situation...but many things go into it and it can be Fear but certainly not always...

~Bob~

by Q Man on 30 October 2020 - 10:10

You can't answer what would improve your dog if you don't understand what it's reacting to...
Is it:
Environmental or Mental (Nerves)

by ValK on 30 October 2020 - 11:10

how old that dog?

by duke1965 on 30 October 2020 - 13:10

I have no problem with pups and young dogs that hackle and have forward reaction to whatever triggers them, as it shows they have good foundation to build on, suspicion is not desirable in sportdogs, but definately needet in PP dogs and desirable in LE dogs to a certain level

by duke1965 on 30 October 2020 - 13:10

depending on goal with the dog, it is not allways desirable to push the dog into working in prey, I would allow a dog to work in agression, and praise him for doing so, I see many dogs being ruined that want to work in defence, are corrected for that and pushed into working in prey, which causes confusion in the dog, as they are corrected for following their genetic instincts

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