Much More Than Fight or Flight
Fear is a natural and essential emotion in dogs, designed to protect them from potential threats. When a dog perceives a threat, their body initiates a stress response, commonly known as the "fight or flight" reaction. However, dogs actually have a broader range of responses, which we can categorize as the 5 Fs of fear in dogs.
When a dog encounters a perceived threat, their body releases stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones prepare the dog's body for action, increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration. How this manifests behaviorally depends on the individual dog, the specific trigger, and the context. These responses are central to understanding fear responses in dog behavior.
1. Freeze
The dog becomes very still, often with a rigid body posture
Eyes may be wide, with pupils dilated
Breathing may become shallow or stop momentarily
Common in new or overwhelming situations
2. Flight
The dog attempts to increase distance from the perceived threat
May manifest as backing away, hiding, or running off
Often seen with loud noises or unfamiliar objects
3. Fight
The dog displays aggressive behaviors to ward off the threat
Can include barking, growling, lunging, or biting
More likely if the dog feels cornered or if other options have failed
4. Fidget
The dog engages in displacement behaviors
May include excessive sniffing, sudden scratching, lip licking, yawning, and leash-grabbing
Often seen in mildly to moderately stressful situations or when the dog is conflicted
5. Fawn
The dog attempts to appease the perceived threat or show that they are not a threat
Behaviors include excessive licking, shoulder-down, rolling over, or submissive urination
Common in dogs that have learned that defensive behaviors are ineffective
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During training as well as behavior modification sessions, it's crucial to watch for signs of dog anxiety signs and triggers:
A dog that suddenly becomes very still may be freezing
If a dog consistently moves away from a certain area or object, they may be displaying flight
Growling or snapping during handling could indicate a fight response from fear
Sudden, out-of-context behaviors like scratching or sniffing might be fidgeting
Excessive licking of you or themselves could be a fawning response
Understanding the 5 Fs of fear in dogs helps trainers and guardians recognize stress in dogs early, allowing for adjustments to the training approach. It's important to address the underlying fear rather than just the visible behavior to create a more confident, relaxed dog.
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