Re: Need Some Help

[Anonymous]

hi,

A This is the assertive, challenging posture: The ears are up, the tail is raised, and the chest is puffed out. It is trying to become as large as possible.

(this is done because the dog feels insecure and fears the other dog approaching any further – it hopes making itself look larger and ‘in yer face’ it will intimidate the other dog into going away)

By this position, the dog is saying, ‘Im the manager and want to be in control of this situation’ to another dog, and sometimes a person.

(because the dog is feeling insecure or fears the situation it has got into, the dog may want to control but is very likely not to have the skills to do so)

It is a communication of confidence, and how the second dog or person responds will determine the outcome.

(it is a communication of confidence – the dog is trying to show itself to have the upper hand and break up the situation while it can still handle it in some way)

If the second dog or person does not offer appeasement or disinterest then it is possible and attack will occur.

(because attack through fear is the first form of defence very often in these dogs)

A true confident dog does sometimes use ears/tail/posture to communicate confidence (Bonnie certainly does) while William who isnt confident always will hackle up and rrrrr (inbetween a growl and talking) hoping to gain control of the situation – making the other dog go away with his dog language.  if he’s allowed to play this behaviour out he’ll either rrrr and hackle at a “safe” distance and flight if the dog continues to approach or if they appease he’ll try and mount (i assume to release out the held stress of greeting)

Claire x