Alertness

The dog holds its head high and, standing still, orients all of its senses in the direction of a potential danger. This behaviour may be followed either by vocalizations and movements in the direction of the stimulus or in the opposite direction (flight).
(Capra, 2011)

This adolescent Border Collie is reacting with alertness to the barking of unfamiliar dogs. Her stance is defensive and her arched tail, head held high and commissures forward all precede barking.

This young Airedale terrier bitch is exhibiting alertness upon sighting unfamiliar dogs. Her head is up, her senses oriented toward the stimulus.

VIDEO

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During a behavioural evaluation, this young female Czech Wolf Dog exhibits alertness and hackles raised upon seeing a stranger.When her owner gives her more freedom on a loose lead, the Czech Wolf Dog turns her ears sideways and advances. She pulls on the lead, stops and then exhibits behaviors indicating alertness: head held high, orientation towards the stimulus and short barking. She then backs away before moving forward, staring, and repeatedly exhibiting short barking, then again backs away, tail lowered, and barks.

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