The way a dog holds its tail can reveal a lot about it, including its current social standing and mental health. Naturally, there may be some variances based on how the dog wears its tail in its natural state. For instance, the way a West Highland White Terrier carries its little, carrot-shaped tail typically differs from the way a golden retriever carries his flowing, feathery tail or significantly differs from the way a greyhound carries his thin, whip-like tail.
Keep an eye out for the dog tail positions described below in your own dogs and how they carry their tails throughout different encounters with other dogs. Doing so may help you start to learn more about how your dog truly feels and perceives the world.
Your dog carries its tail almost horizontally, yet it is flexible and points away from its body. This indicates that they are carefully observing their environment.
2Your dog is stiffly and horizontally pointing its tail away from its body while holding it straight out. As you observe, you’ll see that this is a step in the process that takes place anytime they encounter a stranger or an invader for the first time.
3Realize that a dog that is dominating, self-assured, and feeling in charge will frequently have its tail held high in a position that is halfway between horizontal and vertical. This could also be a dog’s way of saying, “I’m the boss here,” or it could be a sign of dominance. Don’t antagonize me.
4A dog’s tail carried up and curled slightly over its back denotes the phrase “I’m the top dog.” This is frequently how a dominating and self-assured dog acts when it feels in control.
5You can tell your dog is feeling very relaxed and that everything is fine if the tail is carried lower than horizontal but still separated from the legs.
6If your dog carries its tail downward and closer to its rear legs, this could indicate a number of different things, including “I’m not feeling well” or “I’m a little depressed.” It could also signify “I feel uneasy,” which is a common reaction in many dogs when they are in an unfamiliar or novel environment or circumstance.
7If a dog’s tail is tucked between its legs, it frequently expresses fear or begs not to be mistreated. This is especially typical whenever the dog perceives a more dominating canine or person around. This kind of tail carriage can also be interpreted as “I accept my lowly position in the pack and I have no desire to challenge you in any way.
Let’s discuss a few more instances of how a dog carries its tail now. Bristling hair on the dog’s back or tail is frequently a symptom of hostility, according to experts. If the dog adjusts the location of its tail, this connotation may also change in intensity. Consequently, if the tail is carried straight out from the body, it implies “I’m ready to fight if you are! “, however if the tail is moved slightly up or over its back, it means “I’m not frightened of you and will fight to establish that I’m really the boss. This is severe, especially if it involves two aggressive dogs.
9The same thing frequently applies if your dog carries its tail high and with a crick or sharp bend in it, as in the example of the tail bristling. This may also be seen as an aggressive indication.
10A dog’s nice broad tail wag frequently suggests “I like you.” This behavior is frequently displayed when dogs are playing together, such as when one dog appears to be fighting the other while pouncing, growling, and barking while the other dog’s tail is wagging, reminding the other dog that this is all in good fun. A wide tail wag might also be interpreted as “I’m happy.
11If your dog is showing a slow tail wag and holding its tail at half-mast, it frequently means “I’m confused.” The speed and amount of the tail wags will frequently change dramatically when the dog finally understands the issue that was confusing it, and they will typically also become noticeably larger.
Dogs don’t speak like humans do, yet they do exchange messages with one another and with us. Study sign language. They are skilled readers of body language and frequently can read you before you can read them completely. These basic gesture descriptions, however, will assist you in the future in reading your dog more accurately if you put a little practice, patience, and a strong desire to understand your dog into it.
Why does my dog’s tail always stand up?
Since their early years in the wild, when communicating with the group was crucial, dogs have used their tails as significant components of their anatomy. The pack leader could display his dominance by holding his tail stiffly up in the air, sending a clear message that read, “I’m the boss; don’t mess with me!” The rest of the pack would comprehend and appreciate the leader dog. African The white tips on the tails of wild dogs that are hunting together serve as a flag to the other dogs in the pack as they follow the trail of their prey. Strong emotions like rage, agitation, and happiness are all shown through the usage of tails. When combined with the rest of their body language, a dog’s tail can reveal a lot about how they are feeling to both their owners and other canines. Even dogs with curled tails, like the Pug, may communicate by wagging their tails. Curly tails will tighten to indicate rage or agitation and then soften to indicate calm. Thankfully, dogs’ tails are no longer docked, but if you comprehend your dog, even the short, stubby tail can convey diverse messages. Most people believe that a dog’s tail wagging signals happiness. The opposite is not always true. Keep an eye on the tail’s angle and the rest of the body language. A dog that is dominating will have its tail lifted high. He’s demonstrating to the others that he is the alpha dog and that they should respect his territory.
An upset dog will have tension in its tail and some fluffing up of the tail hairs. This dog might bite and attack. A dog that is extremely excited may lift his tail up high and purposefully flick the end. This is referred to as “flagging,” and this dog will undoubtedly attack if you take it. The dropped tail or even a tail that is tucked between your dog’s knees is the reverse of the heightened tail. The message here is one of fear and uncertainty, and most people get it. The center of the range level, or the tail height between these two levels, conveys contentment and a laid-back attitude. A broad, sweeping wag indicates playfulness, while a relaxed, slightly bent tail indicates your dog is calm and content.
Is a dog’s tail supposed to be up or down?
In the human world, having your tail between your legs signifies regret and contrition. We can tell when our dogs literally perform this activity that they are trying to communicate with us in some way. But does it share the same connotation as our own slang?
Different Heightsor LowsMean Different Things
The definition of a downward tail position varies depending on the dog, like many other canine actions do. Your dog may be communicating with you in a very subtle way. So much so that it might require some investigation to determine exactly what is going on.
Unsurprisingly, a downward tail may be a sign of capitulation. However, it can also be a sign that a dog is scared or worried. The posture of the dog’s tail will reveal how emotionally stable he is; the more tightly it is tucked against the body, the more obedient, timid, or nervous the dog is.
However, a low-hanging dog tail could also indicate the complete opposite. More specifically, it can be a sign that your dog is at ease and comfortable. This occurs as a result of the dog’s tail essentially following its natural curve.
There May be a Medical Reason Behind the Tail’s Position
Your normally bouncy, active dog may have limber tail if he consistently experiences prolonged periods of time when his tail is down rather than straight or pointing upward. The ailment, which is also referred to by the titles cold water tail, broken wag, or limpy tail, can be brought on by overexertion, too much time spent in a box, or even a change in environment. Even though it could make your dog uncomfortable, the ailment isn’t too tough to treat as long as you involve your local veterinarian in the recovery process.
Other Possible Medically-Based Reasons for a Down Tail
Although a limber tail is not particularly alarming, there are a few additional tail-specific wounds that your dog may acquire that do require more attention and care. A tail that is always down could mean that your dog is in a lot of pain. Some of this discomfort may be caused directly by the tail, but it may also be related to pain in your dog’s back or hindquarters.
Some tail injuries, like a cut or a bite, may appear more severe than they really are. This is due to the fact that a lot of blood passes via the tail. If the skin of the tail is ruptured, the ensuing bleeding may be extended, and it may take longer for the tail to heal than other body parts.
The harm to the tail may occasionally be self-inflicted. Dogs who are anxious sometimes chew on their tail to calm themselves down. Another sign of a flea issue could be a propensity to bite their tail.
The injuries coming from the base of the tail are not as mild, despite the fact that these specific ailments are. In these circumstances, a downward-pointing tail can be a sign of damage to the muscles that enable him to urinate and defecate. This kind of damage could be related to other ailments that need to be treated, such incontinence or constipation.
On the majority of breeds, a lack of tail movement can indicate that this specific injury might be present. There is a good likelihood that your dog’s bowel and bladder muscles are malfunctioning if he has bloated hindquarters and does not lift his tail before removing his feces. If you notice any symptom, make an appointment with your veterinarian right away.
Learn the Language of Dog Through Your Pooch’s Tail
Knowing how to analyze how your dog’s tail moves, bends, shakes, and wags is a great approach to deepen your relationship with your dog because these movements are not random. In this situation, being aware of the precise cause of your dog’s tail-pointing will help you console him or provide him with the support he needs. In the end, this will enable your dog to have greater faith in you, which may strengthen your relationship with him.
Are canines content when their tails are up?
Although recent studies have proven that tail wagging does not solely transmit a dog’s happiness, we frequently mistake a “wagging tail” for an indication of our pets’ enjoyment. Dogs utilize their tails as a means of communication to convey their feelings to humans, their owners, and other animals. Veterinarians have long suspected that wagging isn’t always a sign of contentment; frequently, when a dog is visibly scared or protective, their tails will be wagging. This is frequently misunderstood, which puts owners and veterinary professionals in a very perilous scenario.
Why do dogs wag their tails?
Dogs will wag their tails to express a variety of emotions, including happiness, anxiety, fear, submission, and excitement.
It is believed that a dog’s tail would sit in a resting position when it is at ease. The posture will change based on the dog’s breed. Some dogs’ tails are naturally curling and stiff-looking, while others may have a long tail that hangs loosely behind them. Tail wagging then happens when emotions are generated.
According to studies, the wag will frequently transmit emotion through its pace and posture.
A dog will frequently hold its tail down and may even wag it slightly between its legs if it is scared or submissive. This picture of a dog getting yelled at by his owner is one we’ve all seen—he looks so sorry and guilty!
When a dog is attentive or excited, their tail will be held higher than usual. A dog’s high tail will frequently be wagging rapidly; this indicates that the animal is usually happy or excited. Once more, we frequently witness this while playing with our dogs or in the park. They frequently urge us to throw a ball for them or play chase while adopting a playful stance with their bottom raised and a high tail waving. This behavior is also displayed when we come home to our dogs after being gone for a while—their it’s way of saying they missed us and are happy to see us!
A dog that is curious and interested in its surroundings will frequently hold its tail straight out.
Research shows…
Recent studies show that a dog’s tail orientation can convey complicated emotions to other dogs. It has been demonstrated that dogs communicate good sentiments to one another by wagging their tails slightly to the right by observing the behavior of “observer dogs” who were watching another person wag its tail. On the other hand, if a dog wags significantly to the left, more negative emotions are being felt.
If observer dogs saw pictures or silhouettes of dogs with their tails moving slightly to the right, they were shown to have a slower heartbeat and assume a more relaxed posture. The observation dogs’ heart rates would rise and they would take on a more defensive stance if they saw a dog waving its tail slightly to the left. When they noticed a dog wagging more to the left, several of the watchdog dogs were even seen to have their hair stand on edge!
The left half of the brain governs good emotions, whereas the right side controls negative emotions, according to research on various species, including humans. Strangely, the right side of the brain governs the left side of the body and vice versa in all species. As a result, it is believed that the hypothesis that the wags to the left and right communicate emotion has to do with the brain’s “hard wiring,” with the various sides controlling various emotional reactions.
Tails aren’t just for communication…
It’s important to keep in mind that dogs don’t just communicate with their tails. It frequently serves as a balance and stability help. Slow-motion footage of a dog making a sharp turn typically reveals how it employs its tail for stability. If the dog is swimming in water, it also functions as a rudder. It’s intriguing to speculate if these applications came first, or whether the function of a dog’s tail as a communication tool evolved first.
The most crucial thing to keep in mind is that a dog’s waggy tail doesn’t always indicate that it’s happy or friendly. Simply said, a dog engaged with its environment is demonstrated by a wagging tail. Before caressing a dog, it’s important to talk to its owner because sometimes a tail wag can be misinterpreted and result in a violent bite. Children are frequently the targets of such misunderstandings, therefore it’s imperative that we all take care to ensure that they are aware that they must only touch a dog if they have been given permission to do so.
