hair on rear top of back raises gsd 8 monthsany - Page 1

has anyone had hair raise above hips on gsd 8 months old when playing ball hard

Sounds like excitement hackling. 

yes my dogs do it all the time.  I have a 12 week old pup, 9 month old, and 2 1/2  year old female.  They all do it.  Jenni is right.  Nothing wrong with it.

i think you see this more in high drive/low threshold dogs.
pjp

I think it depends on the situation- are other dogs involved, is it pure excitement or competition for ball, etc. The only dog I have that does it (excitement hackling, that is, not necessarily when playing ball) is my Pit Bull- and he does it for his favorite foods, if I invite him to run an errand with me, if I fuss over him a lot (he's a big baby and thrives on attention and affection), etc. He is fairly drivey, but certainly not what I'd call a low threshold dog by any stretch- quite the opposite, actually. He gets all excited, hackles up from head to toe, then shakes it off, does a happy leap and that's the end of it. It's most definitely excitement/adrenaline, though he's scared a few people who've seen him do it while he's appearing to wait patiently for a special treat, etc. 

I can see where ziegenfarm's statement would hold true in many GSDs. My example is probably poor, as a Pit Bull is a far cry from a GSD. 

yes he is high drive low threshold exactly ive had many dogs over the years but none with such a low threshold this is just by himself no other dogs I wonder how he will be as adult for ipo sport  ...thanks to all

I agree it is excitement when a dog is chasing a ball and the hackles over the hips / lower  back go up.  My almost 8 year old dog has done this from a young dog and still does it when I toss his ball.  The dog is high drive, but not low threshold.  He will do this every day when I work him and end the session with a two ball game.  In his case there is no competition for the ball, as he is the only dog chasing the ball.  If your dog turns out half as well as J Haynes dogs for IPO, you'll have an incredible dog.

Best of luck training your boy and don't worry about the hackling.

I would double check to see if its hips/knees/back are good and if they are then would agree it gets excited and raises its hackles

In my experience this is more likely to happen while the GSD is
young, as yours is, K9rule.   Mostly they grow out of doing it eventually,
a lot of it seems due to a youthful lack of control over their body and its
automatic reactions.  Absolutely harmless and natural, as others have
posted.

That was very nice of you Jim!!  :)  I need to come visit and show you Luc's pups.  I have a 10 month old and 4 month female.  Both of them rock man.