What your dog’s hackles can tell you about their mood

Occasionally, you might have noticed your dog’s fur standing up on end. Perhaps when they are nervous or have been barking. These hairs, which extend from your dog’s head to the base of their tail, are known as dog hackles. Learn more about them and the reasons behind their appearance.

What are dog hackles?

The hairs that run along your dog’s spine are called hackles, and they are held up by a special group of muscles. The hackles may stand up due to these muscles, which may indicate aggression, fear, anxiety, or excitement. We refer to this as piloerection.

Since these muscles are activated by an involuntary reflex, dogs lack control over them. Since they are reactive, the dog’s nervous system stimulates them. When a dog is very aroused, its hackles stand up, but there are a variety of reasons why this could happen.

What causes dog hackles to stand up?

For what reason do dog hackles stand up?
Since raised hackles are an involuntary response to outside stimuli, they are not considered behaviors. Contrary to popular assumption, your dog may exhibit this reflex response for a variety of reasons, and it’s not always an indication of violence. These consist of:

Excitement

If your dog has a loud attitude, they could raise their hackles when they become too excited about anything, like meeting another dog or visiting a new and exciting location. Examine the dog’s remaining body language. Are they giggling and wagging with joy? If so, you shouldn’t be concerned.

Anxiety

Dogs can exhibit anxiety in a variety of ways. Their hair stands up, and they have a tail between their legs. Meeting a new person, a new dog, being taken somewhere new, or visiting the veterinarian can all cause this reaction. To determine what emotions are causing this reaction, it’s critical to observe the dog’s remaining body language. Do they want to approach, are they afraid, are they unsure, or are they likely to react in some way?

Aggression

The raising of a dog’s hackles can occasionally be attributed to resentment or fear, which, if left unchecked, can escalate into aggression. It’s crucial to examine other aspects of body language for further hints that could help identify the underlying cause. Dog hostility that results in raised hackles is typically accompanied by other behaviors like snarling, barking, or flashing teeth, as well as backing away. Take them out of the situation right away, and if this starts to happen frequently, get professional assistance from a trained animal behaviorist.

Curiosity

Additionally, hackles could be seen as a sign of distrust or interest. This may occur when they are taken to a new location with lots of unfamiliar scents, meet new people, or get a new canine. Allow them to take their time and engage with you, but be prepared to remove them from the situation if they appear anxious or afraid.

How to understand your dog’s body language

Interpreting your dog’s emotions and responses in different contexts requires an understanding of their body language, which includes their raised hackles. You can tell a lot about your dog’s emotional state by paying attention to their posture, facial expressions, tail motions, and ear locations.

Spending quality time with your dog and paying attention will help you become more adept at understanding their body language. You’ll eventually learn habits and patterns that will help you better understand your dog and address their particular requirements.

This knowledge builds a solid and trustworthy relationship between you and your dog while also assisting you in keeping them safe. It’s simpler to support your dog in a situation when you understand their feelings.