During the summer holiday, our darling niece Janai who is a pet lover, discovered for herself tail wagging isn’t always a sign of happiness in dogs.
How was she able to come to such conclusions from personal experience?
During a long walk with our canine companion named Max, Janai noticed a little female lost dog wagging her tail but something was completely different in her tail wagging.
She has always associated wagging of a dog’s tail to be accompanied with certain behaviors such as running toward familiar faces, licking, nuzzling, sniffing, jumping, etc but not with this lost female dog.
She noticed her tail wagging was slow and low like a gentle sway and she was retreating into a nearby hideout.
This cute lost dog must be feeling threatened and alert about something approaching.
Janai approached further and noticed there were other bigger dogs and strangers near the little lost female dog.
This made her realize tail wagging isn’t always a sign of happiness in dogs but could also be an expression of certain situations such as nervousness and uncertainty just as in the case of this little lost female dog.
Why Do Dogs Wag Their Tail:
Tail wagging is a form of communication in all breeds of dogs as opposed to the general notion that is an expression of happiness and excitement only.
The context has to be thoroughly studied to know what a dog is trying to communicate by wagging its tail.
However, here are a few reasons why a dog will likely wag its tail.
1. Nervousness and Anxiety:
Just as in the case of the lost dog earlier discussed, tail wagging in dogs can be an expression of uncertainty and nervousness.
In such a state of nervousness and anxiety, their tail is held low or between their legs and any form of wagging is slow, like a gentle sway.
This pattern of tail wagging is usually accompanied by certain behaviors such as avoiding eye contact, cowering, or lowering their heads.
In some extreme situations, they might attempt to either bark or attack.
These signs display nervousness or anxiety in dogs that might result from unfamiliar routines, faces, or situations.
It is best advised to pay close attention to your canine friends when they exhibit these behaviors and signs.
2. Happiness and Excitement:
It’s not surprising to know a dog will likely wag its tail when visibly happy or excited.
Tail wagging in dogs has largely been associated with happiness and excitement.
They wag their tail energetically, with the position of their tail held high and body feeling relaxed.
This is usually accompanied by certain behaviors such as cuddling, running toward familiar faces, licking, nuzzling, sniffing, jumping, etc.
In some situations, their mood is accompanied by a dance.
3. Submissiveness:
Wagging of the tail is a social behavior in dogs that can communicate submissiveness.
Their tails are held low and wagged gently signifying the presence of an authority which could either be a person or another dog or animal.
This social behavior is usually accompanied by a calm demeanor, and avoidance of eye contact showing they pose no threat.
These signs are usually misunderstood as uncertainty, especially in calm dogs.
4. Aggression or Alert:
Sometimes, when a dog is feeling threatened alarmed, or asserting dominance, their tail is held high, wagging very fast and rigidly.
This behavior is usually accompanied by a tensed body, bared teeth, barking, or growling.
5. Friendly Greetings:
Greetings in humans are usually by handshakes but in dogs, it’s usually by tail wagging.
They greet other dogs and humans by enthusiastically joyfully wagging their tails.
How To Interpret Tail Waggling In Dogs:
To properly interpret the message a dog is trying to communicate by waggling its tail, you have to look at the bigger picture holistically.
Important metrics such as the position and movement of their tail, their body posture, facial expression, vocalization, and their environment have to be considered.
Do Dogs Wag Their Tail When Happy:
Though tail wagging can convey different emotions and feelings to dogs, they also wag their tails when happy which is a common expression, especially to their owners and caregivers.
Can Dogs Be Happy Without Waggling Their Tails:
Yes, quite surprisingly, dogs can be happy without waggling their tails.
They can express their happy emotions differently based on their individual preferences which can be influenced by health and comfort.