Understanding A Dog’s Tail Movements

Canine tails can tell us a lot about the feelings and moods of a dog. Tail movements are similar to body language in humans and can determine what your pet is feeling making it helpful to understand a dog’s tail movements. Are they wagging their tail? Or are they thumping it on the ground? Or they might be moving it right to left? So what does it all mean? We can help you find out!

Why Do Dogs Wag Their Tail?

Dogs use their tails as a balancing device, to help them stay upright while walking, or when they are making a sharp turn while running at full speed. It serves as a counterweight to their frontal body weight. This was especially useful when they were hunting or walking down narrow walkways.

Nowadays, their tails are used mainly for communication with humans or other animals. When a dog wags its tail, it’s obvious that it is feeling a strong emotion or trying to tell you something.  While a circular swish can mean a dog is fairly comfortable and happy, a lowered, tucked tail can be a sign of shame, or fright.

As a dog owner, you can detect these signs and in time become affluent in the dog tail wagging language. Just pay attention to how the dog’s body is positioned and the movement of the tail. This can give you a hint about what your furry companion is trying to communicate to you.

Here are some dog tail movements and what they generally mean.

Shaky and Fast

If a dog’s tail is moving in a fast, shaky and vigorous motion, it is a sign that your dog can spring into sudden movement. This can be a sign of aggressiveness, hostility or tension in a dog. This indicates high arousal and it is better to let the dog settle down before approaching it.

Slow Wagging

This means that a dog is thinking about its next move. You can almost detect signs of contemplation on its face. A slow wagging indicates unfriendliness, so it is better to be cautious.

Circular Swishing Motion

If a dog’s tail is swishing in a back and forth or circular motion, it is happy, relaxed and comfortable with its surroundings.

Lowered Tail

A tucked tail means that your dog is feeling submissive or frightened, especially if the tail is tucked between its hind legs or hanging low.

Stiff Wagging

This is a certain sign of excitement. A stiff, wagging tail is often accompanied by spinning, jumping or sticking the rump in the air while barking. This can mean that your dog is excited about a positive reason, like going on a walk, or due to a negative source, like meeting a new stranger.

Sudden Tail Rise

When a dog’s tail suddenly moves from a downward position to a vertical, raised position, this means it is about to get aggressive.

Horizontal Tail

A tail in a horizontal, straight out position means that your dog is alert to its surroundings and possibly curious. Your dog can also wag their tail left or right, which can shed some light during dog-to-dog communication.

If they wag their tail right, while being in the company of another dog, they are relaxed and feel comfortable. However, if they wag their tail left, they are feeling territorial, anxious or stressed.

These are just some basic guidelines that can help you get affluent in canine communication and understand a dog’s tail movements. Learn to decode the canine tail language and understand your dog better.