What does wagging tail mean

The tail of a dog is a communicative tool that they use to express emotions to other animals, and indeed, us as owners. This can often be misinterpreted - leading to a very dangerous situation for both veterinary staff and owners alike. Dogs will wag their tail to convey a range of emotions: happiness, nervousness, feeling threatened, anxiety, submission and excitement.

This position will vary depending on the breed of dog. Some dogs have a naturally curly, stiff looking tail, and others may have a long tail that droops behind them in the natural position. When emotions are evoked, tail wagging then occurs. Dogs that are alert or excited will hold their tail higher than the natural position. Often this high tail will be wagging furiously - a fast paced wag will often mean a dog is happy or excited.

Tail wagging reflects a dog's excitement, with more vigorous wagging relating to greater excitement. In , researchers discovered that the way a dog wags its tail also gives clues about what it's feeling. Specifically, a tail wagging to the right indicates positive emotions, and a tail wagging to the left indicates negative emotions. This phenomenon has to do with the fact that the brain's left hemisphere controls the right side of the body, and vice versa.

Research on the approach-avoidance behavior of other animals has shown that the left hemisphere is associated with positive-approach feelings, and the right hemisphere is associated with negative-avoidance feelings. Siniscalchi, Marcello et al.

Current Biology , vol 23, no. Elsevier BV , doi Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Use precise geolocation data. Select personalised content. Create a personalised content profile.

Measure ad performance. Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. Featured Video. If you suspect your pet is sick, call your vet immediately. For health-related questions, always consult your veterinarian, as they have examined your pet, know the pet's health history, and can make the best recommendations for your pet.

Article Sources.