Dogs With Raised Hackles: What Does It Mean?
Raised hackles in dogs mean they are on high alert. They could be having a response brought on by fear, dominance, surprise, insecurity, or uneasiness about a situation. The nervous system automatically causes piloerection along the neck and back. This is done automatically, and not under conscious control of the dog.
When you see raised hackles on a dog, be aware of what the trigger is. Sometimes it could be the ringing of the doorbell, other times it might be meeting a new dog or person.
Some younger dogs raise their hackles more often because they are still getting to know their environment and the world around them. Their sense of security might be a little less solid than an older dog who is more confident.
By having the hairs along their neck and back stand up, dogs appear taller and bigger to whatever threat they are reacting to. Dog hackles are more of a visual cue to their trigger that they are big, dominant, and ready to defend themselves if necessary.
Although rare, there have been a few reports of dog hackles being raised when they are not stimulated by an outside trigger. Dogs with neurologic diseases can have a “malfunction” of the autonomic nerves, and cause the arrector pili muscles to contract when not stimulated.
A surprised dog can also raise his hackles. This response is completely out of his control, just as you having goose bumps is out of your control. When your dog raises his hackles, it is important that you remain calm and try to distract him from whatever is stressing his sensory system. If he appears aggressive, attempt to remove him from the situation. If his hackles are from lack of confidence or fear and require socialization, support him and work with a trainer if necessary.
You have undoubtedly experienced the automatic response of goosebumps on your skin when you have had a surge of adrenalin in your body due to feelings of fear, anger, insecurity, or even excitement. Piloerection, or putting his hackles up, is the same phenomenon in your dog. The arrector pili are specific muscles under your dog’s skin that are attached to his hair follicles and they are communicated nervous energy by the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system. Basically, his adrenaline triggers a “fight or flight” system response to feelings he is having. Other species, including cats, rats, birds and even humans experience the same reaction. Porcupines rely on this autonomic response for protection and to scare off possible predators. In dogs, this reaction traps air between the hair shafts and fluffs him up making him appear larger. All breeds experience this natural response to adrenaline surges, but in some, it is easier to see than on others. Breeds with longer and fluffier hair do not as easily show hackling, while breeds with stiff and short coats tend to show their piloerection more clearly.
When out with your dog, be aware of how the atmosphere and social surroundings are affecting him. If you see him raise his hackles, check to see what is immediately around him. It is important to note that the hair-raising takes about thirty seconds from his initial reaction but it can take up to two minutes to relax. If the dog’s hair is in the resting phase, known as the telogen phase, when the piloerection occurs, then the hairs will loosen and fall out. This is why dogs tend to shed a lot when they are highly excited or stressed. A dog raises his hackles, or the hair on his back, as an autonomic reaction to a surge of adrenaline. He may be excited, nervous, lack confidence, or feel confused.
Breeds with longer hair show hackling more clearly in their shoulders and some breeds such as Poodles can often have piloerection with no one noticing. One breed, the Rhodesian Ridgeback, has permanently displayed raised hackles that is a prominence of his breed rather than a constant piloerection. Many people assume that “hackling” is a sign of aggression and that any dog with raised hackles is looking to fight. In fact, dogs that are raising their hackles are more likely feeling startled, fearful, lacking confidence, nervous, or even excited. Hunting dogs often raise their hackles when they are hyper-focused and pointing at a bird of prey. It is important to learn that all sorts of emotions can bring on the piloerection, and working with your dog through these feelings is essential to having him properly socialized.
Regardless of what is going on with your dog and his hackles, you need to remain alert yet calm. Even a dog that is aggressive is often working from fear and needs you to make the situation safe. An aggressive dog needs to be removed from any social gathering that may give him the opportunity to harm himself or others. Work to distract him and lead him away until he can be soothed. However, if your dog seems to have his hackles raised because he is nervous he may just need you to support him through the social situation. A dog that is not properly socialized can become fearful around other people and dogs. Removing him will not help him to become socialized, and dogs that are not properly socialized are more prone to developing aggression. An experienced trainer can help you socialize your dog and decrease the chance of problems in the future.
What if a Dog’s Hackles Are Up When Playing?
Sometimes dog hackles can be raised during times of play. Overstimulation, excitement, and surprise can cause piloerection. Watching to make sure the hackles go down, or that the dog isn’t showing other signs of aggression is key to having safe playtime.
Piloerection in dogs “Raised Hackles”
If it’s the first time you’ve seen the hairs standing up on your dog’s back, you may be wondering what on earth it means.
Many people believe that raised hackles are a sure-fire sign of aggression or caution, however, this is not entirely the case.
When you’ve spent a considerable amount of time experiencing a variety of dog behaviors like we have, it becomes fairly clear that hackling is caused by different forms of stimulation – from an unexpected noise to having a whale of a time with their besties!
We’ll explain everything you need to know about raised hackles in dogs, including common causes, additional signs, and the actions you need to take when you see it happen.
A dog’s hackles are the hairs that run from the neck down the backbone, all the way to the base of the tail.
When hackles are raised, you’ll see these hairs stand up on end. This is also known as piloerection.
Depending on the breed, it is not always possible to see raised hackles in dogs due to some having long or curly hair.
Piloerection is an involuntary contraction of the tiny muscles at the base of hair follicles, causing hairs to stand on end (similar to goosebumps in humans).
Its natural function in certain animals is to make them appear larger to predators when threatened.
A variety of factors can cause piloerection in dogs, such as fear, asserting dominance, excitement, or anxiety – all different forms of stimuli.
Raised hackles (normally) only last a few seconds, which is why it can be incredibly difficult to take clear photos of it occurring!
It’s difficult to spot hackling in breeds with long, fluffy, or curly hair – such as poodles. Short-haired dogs tend to exhibit their piloerection more visibly.