Dog Tail Talk
by Casey Hampf
By: Judy Hamontre, AVHS Vice-chair
My eight year-old boxador, Gracie, loves to go for walks. I say the word, “walk,” and her proper, upright C-curved tail begins to soften into the “Amazon Smile,” and rapidly wag, fully from one side of her body to the other.
However, if thunder begins to rumble, that same tail curls up high into a tight “O,” and her hackles rise up on her rump and tail.
Gracie’s tail talks. No matter the breed of dog nor type of tail, they all talk. One of the main purposes of dogs’ tails is communication to other dogs and to their humans, if we know how to read their tail language.
To read your dog’s tail, you need to pay attention to its direction. Is it straight up, horizontal, tucked between their legs or some position in between? Is the tail tense or relaxed? If the tail is wagging, how fast and which way? What is the rest of the body doing to accompany the tail signals?
Tail language is rather complicated, but according to scientific research and behavior/training experts, there are some common meanings to different tail positions, tensions and wags, when seen in context of other canine body language.
A straight up tail position usually means assertiveness. The higher the tail, the more assertive the dog. If the tail is straight up or arced over the back, it is considered an aggressive stance. However, it can merely mean the dog is on alert and tuned into their surroundings, ready to play or act dominantly. If the hackles are raised and the ears flattened back, play is probably not going to be the outcome.
A tail held straight back often means your dog is on alert because something has made them curious or concerned. You have to look at the accompanying body language to better know what they are sensing.
Also, for more accurate interpretation, determine a baseline for your dog’s tail position. Beagles tend to hold their tails in a horizontal position.
A tail relaxed at a lower angle indicates your dog is relaxed and life is good.
A lower than neutral position tail typically means submission. If the tail is tucked between the legs, it is a stronger message of insecurity and fear. These dogs may also crouch and cower, wanting to diffuse what they see as a threat. It is important to take precaution in these moments; if the perceived threat is not removed, the dog may begin to display reactivity based on the fear they are feeling.
Analyzing tail wags is just as complex as interpreting tail positions.
A very slow wag, while the rest of the body is very still, can mean that a dog is uncertain, anxious, or insecure. It also can be a warning sign of potential reactivity or dominant behavior.
If your dog is wagging their tail and then they stop and freeze, it may be a sign that they would like to avoid what is happening around them.
A full, wiggly wag, often in circles, is what you want to see because it means your dog is happy to see you. However, lightning fast, short wags can have a different meaning. Your dog may be worked up and about to do something, such as running away.
Many researchers now also believe that the direction tails wag is significant, with going to the right being more positive than going to the left.
These tail language interpretations only begin to help you understand what your dog’s tail is telling you. Close observations of your dog’s tail talk along with all their other body language will make what they are thinking and feeling more clear and your bond stronger.
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