Swerving

The dog makes a rapid lateral movement, in reaction to a threat display or to another dog (his opponent) attempting to bite, or before exhibiting a leaping forward (or leaping with front feet wide open), a paw jab or other imposing or threatening behaviour.
(Capra, 2010)

In this interaction between two Jack Russel Terriers, the male reacts to an offensive facial display by the male.

The tawny female Pit Bull mix swerves to the side while attempting a jaw punch in reaction to the approach of a male Cane Corso.

VIDEO

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During this face-off between a male smooth-coated Border Collie and a black mixed breed male, the mixed breed leaps forward and hugs the Border Collie, who rears up, orients frontally, then moves nearer and exhibits chin over. The mixed breed punches him with his jaw, then both dogs swerve to the side. The Border Collie moves nearer, again exhibits chin over; the black male exhibits a jaw punch and the two dogs again swerve, to the side and backwards. In the second video clip, the Irish Terrier bitch approaches the black and white mixed breed female at a gallop. The two bitches exhibit muzzle to muzzle olfactory exploration; the Irish Terrier shakes off, the mixed breed takes a step forward and the Irish Terrier bows. The Irish Terrier leaps forward and exhibits a jaw punch to the mixed breed and swerves to the side, then leaps forward, leaps again with front paws held wide open; the mixed breed stands still in a lateral stance, then moves away to leave the interaction.

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