Re: Body Language

In Reply to: Body Language
Category:   Other
Posted by:  Liza
Posted on:  August 28, 2002 at 11:00:39

: Hello! I have been searching this site and others on dog behavior, and I have not found an answer to my question.

: Lately, my 6 mo. old JRT boy has had the hair on his back stand up when ever he sees another dog (known or otherwise). His tail is still wagging, and he bows in a playful way, and he has never growled nor has he shown his teeth in an agressive way.

: I had read that raised hair is usually a sign of agression...Is it in this case? He has been socialized since the beginning--Puppy Kindergarten (we start our next class in a few weeks), Doggy Daycare, Friends' dogs, the dog park, etc... Is this just a quirk of his, or is this something that I should try to correct? Sometimes his tail puffs out too--it all most looks like a furball on his rump! ha!

: Thanks, as always, for your help...

Response:

Hi Liza,

Dogs often do this when they are unsure of the surrounding or the other animal. Not much you can do to correct this but socialize more, not just in classses but taking him out to different places.

You have to understand dogs don't recognize things and other dogs like we humans do, and so when you dog sees another dog, he is just not sure it is his pal.

Hope this helps you some, and you may want to check your local library for books on dogs traits and behavior. BTW I have a poodle puff tait too, and Maybe is the culprit!