Hackles Up During Play?

[catstina]

Sometimes when Saxon is playing his hackles go up. It's usually during tug or chase games. Is this a sign that he is becoming aggressive or is this normal during play? Is it time to stop and give him a break when his hackles go up? Should we stop playing tug and chase games with Saxon?

[shay19]

This happens sometimes with my crew, mostly when playing tug together. I treat it as over arousal and have everyone take a quick break from playing. I don't know of that's right or not but it works for us.

[maryellen]

its just excitement, rufus does that too sometimes..

[emilys]

by itself, just excitement. Just watch to see if there are any other signs (stiffness, eye narrowing) which combined with hackling could be a precursor.

If in doubt, you an always interrupt for a moment, treat, and then send them back to play

[adoptapitbull]

Yeah, mine will do that too sometimes. Usually it's only the butt hackles, the hair over their rear end, that stands up. I'll watch more closely if I see it, but usually it's nothing. Only had one fight happen from play here. Since Saxon doesn't have another doggy mate, it's probably just excitement and "ZOMG Stuffy!!!" type behavior.

[Dave]

In my experience it's the first signal of heightened tension during play. I always interrupt the action when I see it, because the next step comes VERY quickly. It's usually an aggression that follows. Sometimes you see the evil eye, or a sneer, or might hear a change in the growling pitch, but it happens so fast you may see nothing. I let them go back to playing after a few minutes if they're still interested.

If they skirmish, playtime is over.

With you and your dog, it really isn't a big deal.

[catstina]

I'll watch more carefully next time it happens, but won't worry about it if there are no other signs. Thanks for all of the input and advice, everyone!

[rudysmom]

Rudy's does too when playing with other puppies and dogs. I make him take a time out too it its' getting to rough. It's funny though, if he is playing with a calmer dog, the play is very calm. Hardly any noises just quiet fun. Put him together with a rough player like himself, OMG.

[lovemybully76]

Bella does it too when she sees squirrels and some other dogs. It seems to be a precurser to her getting all riled up and rough house with Dugan. What I do now is when the hair goes up I take her inside. I figure better safe than sorry.

[RealPitBull]

Just reiterating mostly what everyone else said. It's just arousal levels rising/stress going up which isn't a bad thing. I would definitely practice time outs at that point of the play, though. Stop, be still, wait for him to release, ask for a sit (this is where I'd have a clicker and treats ready so I could C/T that), and then resume play.

It's just a good habit anyway, teaching the dog to disengage and chill out when he starts getting overly excited, even when it's not "bad" excitement.

[catstina]

Thanks Mary! I'll start doing that!

[fureverywhere]

Some people get real excited about raised hackles, but if it was your cat fluffing during play would it make nervous that much? Ophie does it when she barks at other dogs from the car. sometimes in play but I just run my hand down her back and smooth her a bit...yeah Ophie, you bad...I'll tell everybody you're afraid of Stumpy the cat...

[AmyJo27]

Honey always raises her hackles when she plays with other dogs, but she never acts aggressive.

[loverocksalot]

do they intentionally raise hackles or is it involuntary like a tail wag? Sometimes Rocky just raises a small line down the back of the neck. Usually when first engaging in a meet especially if it is an unexpected meet. It is like an I am unsure of this situation thing.