Question?
Anyone out there with extensive experience please:
Does the raising of hackles and with or without growling when coming in contact with another dog, or even a person: always, usually, sometimes indicate an aggressive dog?
I have a friend with a Stand Schnauzer. who had this 15 month old male evaluated by a very competent dog trainer. He thinks this an aggression problem. My friend contacted several SS breeders. Both said this hackles and growling thing is characteristic of the Standard Schnauzer. I do not agree, however I do not know much about Stand Schn. I do know an agressive dog when I see one though.
Ed Frawley or anyone with knowledge of this, please comment. I would like to help my friend, but she is not willing to accept this eval of her dog.
It's a good guess that this dog is uncomfortable with the approach of the person/dog. I'm not sure how one would want to label this dog....defensive, aggressive, insecure, fearful....whatever....it is advisable to socialize this dog particularly toward the sorts of stimuli that raise those hackles. This type of breed isn't bred to accept all newcomers like a golden retriever, so it's important to socialize him to what the owner wants him to 'accept' comfortably.
The dog has missed the most critical socialization period, but he's still young.
Kelton
Ed Frawley Administrator Reg: 07-11-2001
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I believe that its a mistake to allow your dog to come in contact with strange dogs. To do so only begs for problems.
When a dogs hair comes up it is nervous about something thats going on around it. It does not necessaily mean that this dog is an aggressive dog.
Cindy (my girlfriend) has a young Mal that gets his hair up when she raises her voice and tells him to "knock it off" (after he is doing something stupid) This dog is not going to be aggressive to her. His nerves are just turned on and his hair came up.
So - YES hair up can be a warning that a dog can be aggressive - but it does not always have to mean that.
Just to be clear: By stating that your dog should be socialized to, for instance, other dogs.......I do not mean that you should simply confront your dog with other dogs. The procedures involved in socialization in many cases can sometimes be quite protracted and tedious. It's definately easier said than done.
Raised hackles don't necessarily mean anything more than the fact that the dog is raising his hackles!....but it's a good guess that he's not entirely comfortable. If he has never acted otherwise aggressively toward another dog, though, the prognosis at this point might be pretty good for him.
From my experience raised hackles mean different things with different dogs. The other body language the dog is displaying is also important. Ears forward or back, tail held high or low, legs and body relaxed or stiff, eye contact, etc. Also, the situation the dog is in....
Ed has some excellent articles on this site about body language.
Question?
Anyone out there with extensive experience please:
Does the raising of hackles and with or without growling when coming in contact with another dog, or even a person: always, usually, sometimes indicate an aggressive dog?
I have a friend with a Stand Schnauzer. who had this 15 month old male evaluated by a very competent dog trainer. He thinks this an aggression problem. My friend contacted several SS breeders. Both said this hackles and growling thing is characteristic of the Standard Schnauzer. I do not agree, however I do not know much about Stand Schn. I do know an agressive dog when I see one though.
Ed Frawley or anyone with knowledge of this, please comment. I would like to help my friend, but she is not willing to accept this eval of her dog.
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