Hackles - Page 4

A very interesting subject.  Both of my shepherds on occassion have raised hackles when playing.  I'm not talking about play fighting.  I'm talking about rough housing with older children or adults and the play usually includes a favorite toy and a game of keep away (from the dog)  Neither bitch was being aggressive but each was very much into the game and trying to get the toy.  Lots of intense concentration and focus but all in fun with no intention of harm.  Pure adreneline created by excitement only.  The first time I saw it I freaked because it happened with my older bitch who wouldn't hurt a fly.  She was romping with a grown man who had her favorite toy and she was focused on getting it back.  BTW she was not schutzhund material just a placid lover girl.  Never put a tooth to anyone but when she wanted that toy and she could wrestle it away from the best of them!  How does this affect the theories of fight or flight?

Deb

 Abhay:

After competing in the ring in Martial arts for years there is a difference in sweating because of heat and sweating because of pressure of the situation  the important part is how the presure is handled. as the same of hackeling...In my opinion.

Okay, I think I've got it figured out. It was mentioned above that adrenaline causes the hair to go up (as seen on race horses injected with adrenaline: the hair stands up around the injection site.)

The body releases adrenaline when the animal/human is in a state of arousal (fight/flight response.) In order to know which the animal is likely to do, you have to look at the OVERALL BODY LANGUAGE.

Are the dog's ears erect or back? Is it staring or looking away? Tail raised or tucked? Is its posture stiff-legged or crouched?

In each case above, the first listed posture indicates dominance/confidence, and a dog that is likely to fight. The second indicates submission, and a dog that is only going to attack if it is cornered and can't flee.

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Agree, Sunsilver. And Bob, also. The hackles I'm talking about have always been present with a death stare, stiff legs, tail up, ears forward and alert...almost daring the opponent to make the first move. Far different than the hackled animal who checks behind him a few times while he's running away with ears back and tail tucked.

I still think it is a natural defense mechanism to make ones self look more intimidating to the opponent .Whether the intent is to engage or flee the message is the same. .I'm bigger and stonger.

Abhay:

 Kempo open tournements points and some full contact.

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Fight or flight effects include:

• Our senses sharpening. Pupils dilate (open out) so we can see more clearly, even in darkness. Our hairs stand on end, making us more sensitive to our environment (and also making us appear larger, hopefully intimidating our opponent).
• The cardio-vascular system leaping into action, with the heart pump rate going from one up to five gallons per minutes and our arteries constricting to maximize pressure around the system whilst the veins open out to ease return of blood to the heart.
• The respiratory system joining in as the lungs, throat and nostrils open up and breathing speeding up to get more air in the system so the increased blood flow can be re-oxygenated. The blood carries oxygen to the muscles, allowing them to work harder. Deeper breathing also helps us to scream more loudly!
• Fat from fatty cells and glucose from the liver being metabolized to create instant energy.
• Blood vessels to the kidney and digestive system being constricted, effectively shutting down systems that are not essential. A part of this effect is reduction of saliva in the mouth. The bowels and bladder may also open out to reduce the need for other internal actions (this might also dissuade our attackers!).
• Blood vessels to the skin being constricted reducing any potential blood loss. Sweat glands also open, providing an external cooling liquid to our over-worked system. (this makes the skin look pale and clammy).
• Endorphins, which are the body's natural pain killers, are released (when you are fighting, you do not want be bothered with pain–-that can be put off until later.)
• The natural judgment system is also turned down and more primitive responses take over–this is a time for action rather than deep thought.

http://changingminds.org/explanations/brain/fight_flight.htm

So, the hair standing on end (hackling) is only a tiny part of what's going on in an animal in this state of arousal. This describes the human response, but unfortunately for us, it's identical to that of other mammals, which explains why we have so many stress-related illnesses.

Bill "super foot" Wallace that brings back a few memories I didnt start in thill 79 but I would do it all over again if I could best time of my life.I meet Ed Parker at one of his competitions in Chicago, I ran my own Dojo for 8 years closed it after getting to depressed on all the jokers that were claining to teach something... Hey it is all the samr in any venue...