What type of response occurs when a dog senses a threat and shows signs of stress?

When a dog senses a threat and exhibits signs of stress, it demonstrates an emotional response. This refers to the feelings that arise in reaction to perceived danger, which can manifest in behaviors such as barking, growling, cowering, or attempting to escape. The emotional response is largely driven by the dog's instinctual need to protect itself in a stressful situation.

The other types of responses, while related, are distinct. A behavioral response specifically focuses on the observable actions taken by the dog, which may result from the emotional response. A conditioned response refers to learned behaviors that occur due to prior experiences rather than immediate emotional reactions to threats. An adaptive response is more about how the dog adjusts to changes in its environment over time, which may not necessarily occur in direct reaction to a specific threat. Thus, in the context of sensing danger and displaying stress signs, an emotional response is the most accurate descriptor of what the dog is experiencing.