When parenting a dog, the enthusiastic tail wagging is a sight that seems very common. Most of us understand it as the dog’s gesture to express their happiness. However, tail wagging isn’t limited to joy only. If you observe, the style of wagging is different every time. For example, when you return home from outside, the dog would sway its tail slowly, and sometimes the motion would be a lot stiffer.
The bottom line, the philosophy behind their tail wagging is directly related to their feelings. To be precise, tail wagging is a complex language by which dogs want to communicate with their owners. So, let us decode the psychology, and that should make you an exceptional pet parent you manage your four-legged friends better.
Tail wagging and the emotion associated with it
As mentioned earlier, the general belief is, that tail wagging is a sign of happiness, but it is partly correct. Tail wagging is the best way for dogs to send emotional signals to their respective owners. As experts point out, tail wagging can be attributed to a reflexive system that is directly connected to the brain. The tail reacts based on the way they are feeling at that particular moment. It can be happiness, fear, frustration, and even uncertainty. So, you can presume, based on the speed of the tail swaying, its direction, and the height it goes, is its mood meter. For your convenience let us break it down further.
What does the tail position tell you?
You can get a good understanding of your dog’s current emotional state by noticing the height where the tail is at a point in time. To break it up further:
- High tail (above back level): It is confident, or has become alert for some reason. In some cases, it can also be a sign of showing aggression. Such tail positions are common when they want to display dominant or protective behavior.
- Neutral tail (level with back): It means, the dog is in a relaxed mood, and it simply wants to chill.
- Low tail (down but not tucked): Such tail positions signal submissive behavior or when it is unsure of something. You may notice the tail in the aforesaid position when it finds itself in unfamiliar environments.
Tails tucked between legs: It is a sure sign that the dog has become fearful of something. It could also be a possible cause of them feeling anxious.
The direction of wagging can also matter
Of course, the direction of wagging can matter a lot. A study was conducted by a team of neuroscientists some years back. Their findings suggested dogs tend to wag their tails on the right side when they are experiencing positive emotions, for instance, they usually do so seeing their owners. Likewise, wagging on the left side indicates negative emotions, when they are at an unfamiliar place and not liking it. Interestingly, if you have more than one dog, the other one can easily pick this up, and they will sway their tails to communicate with each other.
The speed of the tail wagging
A slow wag suggests, the dog is curious or may be suffering from insecurity. To put it in simple words, by the above gesture, it wants to reflect, although it is interested, but it is unsure of the situation.
A moderate wag speed typically emphasizes its relaxed mood. It is ready to greet and welcome.
A fast wag on the other hand that might shake its entire body happens when it is bursting in excitement or is in a very happy mood.
Lastly, short and rapid wags are common when they are not in the best of moods. In most cases, when they wag their tails likewise, they would bark loudly.
Tail wagging in connection with the other body parts
It is equally essential to observe the other body parts along with the tail wagging. When you get a hang of it, you will find it way easier to manage your furry companion. So here goes the list:
- Happy wags: Its body would be wiggly and the wagging speed should not be very high. The ears will be relaxed and it will most certainly remain in a playful posture. You can presume, that the dog is in its best mood, and this is the best time to train or socialize it.
- Uncertain wags: Slow wags coupled with a cautious approach, ears slightly shifted backward, and its nose sniffing randomly, means the dog is unsure of something.
- Aggressive or defensive wags: The tail would be in the highest position accompanied by fast and small wags. Its body would be stiff and it growls and gives a stare. This means it is on the verge of reacting, at this point, you should not interrupt what it is doing.
Do pups also wag their tails?
Grown-up dogs are mature, and the tail-wagging pattern related to their emotional state can be accurately identified. Now, pups also wag their tails, but they do not do it in the right way. For most pups, tail wagging is visible as soon as they are 3 to 4 weeks old. Initially, they will wag while interacting with their mothers or littermates. The tail wagging of puppies is more reflexive. It is only when they grow up and develop social skills, the wagging becomes a concrete communication tool.
Tail-wagging interpretation can differ from one breed to the other
Well, you have to understand, that not all dogs are created equal, and nor are their tails. Different breeds have varying tail shapes and it can affect the way they wag and the message they want to pass. For instance, Pugs have curled tails, which is often harder to interpret as they seldom move fast. Boxers have docked tails and they do not move much, in their case, instead of understanding the language of wagging, you have to rely on their body language. The long-tail owners, like the Golden Retrievers, are very expressive and the description mentioned here fits their characteristics.
Reasons that make understanding tail wagging so important
When you are trying to create a lifelong bond with your dog, learning to read tail-wagging signals can help you in many ways:
- It will let you build a deeper emotional connection.
- You can avoid potential dog fights when you take it out to a park.
- You can conveniently notice when your pet is feeling anxious or unwell.
- Based on their tail wags, you can respond appropriately to their requirements.
Last words
So, as you can see, tail wagging isn’t just a cute act that your pet performs time and again. It is their way of establishing communication with you. When you learn to interpret those signals, with the help of the guide here, you can become its true companion and it will rely on you forever. Watch out for that tail wag, and instead of returning a smile, try to listen to what it wants to tell you.
