New Behavior - Page 2

Sue,

  That can be a sign of stimulation or can be caused by pain.

  Hackles up on a dog in many cases isn't a good thing, but other things such as body posture, ear and tail position should be considered. Hackles, ears and tail up can also be a confident dog letting others know it's ready to fight. I have seen this behavior in a dog and if it was a fear responce the dog sure knew how to work through it.

next big question

how do I deal with this behavior so we can get past our BH?

Maybe stop group play sessions for a while or all together. Why will it be a problem with doing the BH?

She gets excited about new dogs.

I do know my dog.  She plays really well with other dogs.  She just want's to be chased.  But, she is posessive and if there is a ball or stick involved then it's all hers! When she first meets a new dog, hackles are up a little.  Then down and in play.  She also sometimes seems to bait the other dog buy running with the ball in her mouth and being chased then all of a sudden go into a down and then drop the ball between her 2 front legs and wait for the dog to come close then growl, grab it and go!  Then start all over again!  What do you make of that? I don't see it as play because I know if the other dog go too close, mine would be all over it.  But, she seems to be inviting the other dog to try and get it??? 

I don't compete in schutzhund, but train with a group that does. Is the long down your only concern on the field?

Is it an obedience issue than? 

how do I deal with this behavior so we can get past our BH?

You teach the dog obedience and that any dog aggression will not be tolerated.  That is the point of the BH, an obedience and temperament test.

Jyota is extra posessive about the sleeve, she wants to take it from the helper.

Hmmmm, are you sure you are reading this right in your dog?



Jim

 Too big a deal being made about hackles. Hackles is just one tiny piece of the puzzle. Hackling toward people is different than hackling toward other dogs. Hackles raised toward other dogs is well within the normal range of behavior for a dog. They do it for many reasons; some do it in excitement, some do it to make themselves look bigger or to tell another dog they mean business and will fight. I think it's counter-productive to try to pigeonhole and label something like this, especially over the internet. JMO.