Panic reaction

An extreme fear response. The dog's ears are back, tail between its legs; the dog's legs or entire body may be trembling. The dog may be panting. Panic reactions may or may not include an aggression. If the dog attempts to flee, it may stumble and trip over or crash into objects.
(Goodmann, 2002; Koler-Matznick, 2005)

The Malinois puppy is exhibiting a lateral stance and is arching his neck. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier bitch is reacting with panicky behaviour: her ears are back, she is trembling and hyperventilating as she pants, tail between her legs.

This male Czech Wolf Dog is showing behaviours indicating a panic reaction to the approach of the judge at a dog show.

VIDEO

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This video was filmed during a behavioural evaluation. The Cane Corso is 11 months old. He is being held on lead by his owner. The evaluator is an unfamiliar person, who is approaching the dog for the second time; the dog exhibits an attack stance, barks, bows and then suddenly exhibits a panic reaction: he swerves, leaping to the side in an attempt to flee with his tail between his legs, exhibiting piloerection. He crouches down and glances at his owner, showing the whites of his eyes. He licks his nose and glances at his owner, arching his back and ignoring the evaluator. When the owner fails to respond to his earlier aggressive behaviour, the Cane Corso again looks at the unfamiliar person and sniffs.

VIDEO

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A female Alaskan Malamute approaches a male mixed breed puppy. The puppy stands tall, freezes and stares the adult in the eyes. When the adult turns, the puppy gives her a jaw punch. The Malamute reacts with an agonistic pucker and pressing the puppy down with a paw. The puppy displays a panic reaction: he punches the adult with his jaw, yelps and runs away, chased by the other dogs present.

pacing<>panting