WHAT A WAGGING TAIL REALLY MEAN?
One of the most common misperceptions about dogs is the myth that a wagging tail means a dog is friendly and happy. It may be true that dogs can express friendliness and happiness by wagging their tails. However, it can also be applied when expressing other crucial feelings such as insecurity, fear or even a sign to bite and attack. Therefore, when evaluating how they are feeling, focusing on a dog’s entire body language is essential, as opposed to just their tail movements.
WHY DO DOGS WAG THEIR TAILS?
In the canine world, tail wagging is one of the best communication tools to express feelings to other creatures. Initially, puppies are not born with the understanding of what a wagging tail means. Like human infants, they need to learn to communicate with their mother and siblings through voice tones and body language like tail wagging. For instance, puppies use their wagging tails to show their mother the feeling of hunger. Considering dogs are more sensitive to movement than colours or details, they can easily discern different tail wags. Therefore, tail movement and position are the two main primary signs when enhancing communication.
If you observe your dogs for a period, you will soon notice that they do not have any “uniform tail wags”. Based on the research conducted by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the tail position they carry most of the time is the neutral position that they feel most relaxed. Dogs generally held up their tails higher than neutral position when they are alert and curious while tightly tucked their tail under their bodies typically associated with fear. A low tail usually shows a sign of anxiety as well.
DOG BREED
Although dogs will wag their tails to convey a range of emotions, the tail motions and positions will vary depending on the breed of the dog. Some dogs, for example pugs, have naturally curly tails pointing upwards, and others, like greyhounds, carry their long tails low. Most of the dogs have their tails hang down near their hocks.
WAGGING TAILS
The patterns of the tail wag also add further meaning to canine communication. In general, broad tail wags indicate a sign of friendliness, especially when they wiggle their hips simultaneously. The faster they wag, the more excited they are. A dog that is hesitant about meeting new people or dogs during greetings usually conveys its insecurity through a slow, slight and barely noticeable wag.
When a dog wags its tails at a high speed that looks like it is vibrating, it may signify that the dog is going to take some action, and usually in an unfavourable way such as attacking, chasing or bite (especially if the tail is held high and completely stiff).
