Tail Wagging: What Does it Mean?

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Tail Wagging: What Does it Mean?

There is nothing cuter than a dog looking up at you with joy and a tail wagging uncontrollably. A wagging tail is the hallmark of dog happiness and can make you feel like the best dog owner in the world. But what does it mean when your dog wags their tail at the vet or does it right before a reactive behavior? 

A wagging tail may not always mean happiness, and with the correct observation, you can learn what your dog’s tail means in all situations. In addition, learning this subtle body language can allow you to build better trust with your dog. 

How Dogs Communicate With Their Tails

Below are some of the most common ways dogs communicate through tail position and movement: 

Happy/neutral tail - A neutral dog will relax its tail and let it swing naturally. A happy or excited dog may raise its tail and give it a quick wag. This wagging is often accompanied by crouching or wiggling of the body to express a playful mood. Some dogs with curly tails (such as huskies and shibas) may curl their tail more when happy. 

Submissive positions - When dogs first engage in play, one will typically show submission to ensure the engagement is friendly. This wagging is generally displayed by lowering the tail and occasionally rolling over if the other dog is significantly larger. 

Fearful tails - A scared dog will tuck their tail between its legs. This move makes the dog look smaller and covers the anal glands to mask their scent, making them less noticeable to other dogs. 

Aggressive tails - Unlike a fearful dog, an aggressive dog will lift their tail straight up to assert dominance and make its scent more noticeable. You may notice this if an aggressive dog bows up and the hair on its back stands up. Again, this cues those watching to be alert for dangerous aggression toward other dogs and humans. 

A negotiation or warning tail - A dog who stops wagging its tail warns others that it is uncomfortable or nervous. If a person approaches a dog and stops wagging its tail, it asks to be left alone. 

These cues can help you defuse tense situations with your dog and allow them to communicate when they are in a playful mood versus when they would instead be left alone. At Jazz’s Wonderland, we respect our daycare visitors’ needs and always look out for overstimulated dogs to ensure they get the proper breaks when needed.