Ever wonder why your dog’s tail wags so much? Or why its tail suddenly droops when the neighbor’s dog passes by?
Tail-wagging is one of the most recognizable dog behaviors, but there is a lot more to it than an indication of happiness.
Dogs use their tails to communicate a range of emotions and their intentions, not only with their humans but with other animals, too.
Learning how to read your dog’s tail can help you understand their emotions and what they might do next!
Take a walk with us through the history and science behind tail wagging and why it’s so important for you to understand not just your dog but the dogs you meet along the way.
What can we learn from a dog’s tail position?
The position of the tail, whether in motion or still, can tell us quite a lot about a dog’s current emotions and general feelings.
For example, if your dog knows it is in trouble for chewing up your shoes, you may notice its tail low down and between its legs.
A very high position shows confidence and can be interpreted as a happy or alert dog. A tail that is more neutral or middle-height can indicate curiosity or a more calm demeanor.
Veterinary physiologist Federica Pirrone at the University of Milan in Italy likens a dog’s tail position and movement to how people gesture with their hands as they speak. It could also be compared to our facial expressions.
So, what do dogs wag their tails for?
Some scientists believe that dogs became domesticated around 35,000 years ago.
The way humans respond to body language, especially a wagging tail, may have taught dogs that it’s an easy way to get a treat, especially in the early stages of domestication.
The wagging tail is an easy way for a dog to communicate that it is submissive and not a threat to the humans it is approaching, much like rolling over and showing its belly.
One Russian experiment lasting over 59 years showed that even foxes started to wag their tails as they became more domesticated.
This indicates that canines, in general, will use this to communicate with humans.
Wagging tails may also be a product of selective breeding. Humans see a happy dog as a good dog and will help that dog breed more often.
Over thousands of years, it has become a common trait in all dogs.
Can the speed of the tail wag tell us anything?
You may have noticed different levels of tail wagging in dogs. Each dog is different and will be excited by its own favorite things.
For example, mentioning the word “walkies” may evoke light-speed tail wagging in your dog, while “treat” may elicit the same reaction in another dog.
A dog’s tail moving in a circular motion may represent extreme joy and excitement.
Dogs also seem to have a left and right bias for tail wagging. Dogs might wag to the right for positive situations like seeing their owner, while wagging to the left could indicate a negative situation for the dog.
Speed may also indicate that a more socialized dog is more confident in communicating, while a dog that has socialized less with other dogs might move its tail slower.
Do other dogs read tail wags?
Dogs read other dogs’ body language in many ways, including the tail. When shown images of a dog with a tail wagging to the right, dogs experience increased stress levels, showing the nuances of body language in dogs.
Dogs are also less likely to socialize with short-tailed dogs as it may be harder to read their emotions. Similarly, dogs with a contrasted tail, like a tail with a white tip, have a much easier time communicating with their friends.
It is important to note that a dog’s entire body should be considered when trying to read its body language.
Even though its tail might be moving quickly, if its body is stiff and its teeth are showing, it is probably a sign of aggression, as other dogs read these signs (and a lot better than us!)
And, if its tongue is out and the dog is bowing in a playful way, that dog is probably trying to make friends.
Communication is one of the pillars of any good relationship, and the same goes for the one between you and your dog.
Fortunately for us, dogs figured out that if they wag their tails in certain ways, they can communicate their feelings!
So, the next time you see a dog, keep an eye out for its tail and see if you can tell what it’s thinking. Is it wagging to the left or right, and how fast?
