Why Dogs Wag Their Tails

As an old saying goes, “Dogs wag their tail with its Heart”. This stance need not be right in all cases. A wagging tail doesn’t simply mean a friendly gesture but if the signs go unread it can be troublesome as well. Understanding other signs and body language can help knowing the reasons more easily.

Wagging of tail is associated with strong emotions which needs to be read carefully. There is a different sign behind dogs wagging their tail. They often communicate through their eyes, ear positions but wagging of tail is the most visible one amongst all of these. When these signs are misinterpreted as being friendly, it can end up you getting bitten by dog.

Each wag has a science behind. Let's take a look into these behavior so it will be helpful in knowing your pooch well.

1. Position of tail.

1. Dogs often use their tail to indicate their mood. Whether they are angry, depressed, happy or despondent. They best way to understand their mood is to look at the position of their tail.

If your pooch is wagging its tail to the right, it usually indicates a happy disposition. Wagging of tail is connected to their brain stimuli.It indicates which side of the brain controls which side of the body.

• If your pooch is wagging its tail to its left side, that means it's frightened, scared or shy.
• When your pooch is feeling insecure or worried, it will usually wag its tail low.
• Wagging of tail is often used for maintaining balance and avoiding toppling down. It helps them to change their position while running and is useful when swimming.
• Dogs don’t start to wag their tail from birth. It is not a trait that they have inhabited from the womb itself. Studies indicate, dogs don’t wag their tail until they are a month and a half old. These little pups wag their tail signaling hunger, asking for food from adults in their canine family.
• Whenever a dog is scare or shy, or despondent, you will find them having their tails tucked in between their legs.

1. When they wag it back and forth

If you see your pooch wagging its tail forth that indicates your dog is happy. Happiness and joy makes them wag their tail back and forth. If they wag it in speed that means they are excited seeing you.

2. When it is horizontal

If you find your pooch having kept its tail horizontal to the ground, that usually indicates plainly inquisitive.

3. The height it is held.

The tail’s position is your dog’s emotional meter. If held in medium height it suggests relaxed disposition.If horizontal it suggests its more attentive and agile.If held too high that indicates a warning sign of your dog getting more aggressive.A vertical position of the tail indicates a bossy or dominant behavior.

4. Kind of wag

Wagging can be extreme or slight. The speed at which its tail move also tell a lot about their mood.

• A slight wag suggests greeting or a sign of welcome. A broad is considered a friendly wag.
• A slow wag is neither sign of dominant or submissive. It usually indicates insecurity. Fast movement of the tail means its either going to indulge in some energetic activity like running or fight. If the tail is held high and wagging fast it’s a sign of aggression.

So the major mantra remains one, read your pooch well, before misreading their signs. Understanding the reasons will help you create a better your dog in long run.