Dogs love to wag their tails to express themselves and show their emotions, like excitement and happiness. Because of this, some dog parents enroll their furry loved ones in dog training to understand what their dogs are trying to say because they are family too.

If you’re curious about what your dog’s wagging tail means, keep reading. Here, you’ll find everything you need to know about wagging tails: the different types and what they mean. Are you ready to learn more? Let’s get started!

Different dog tail positions

Isn’t it amazing that dogs can communicate with you based on their tails’ position and motion? Dogs use their tails to reveal their emotional state and to let you know what they’re feeling.

Below is a list of tail positions and motions you should take note of to understand what your dogs are trying to say:

Neutral position

When your furry friend is relaxed, their tail will most likely be in a natural or neutral position. Although this can differ depending on the breed, most dogs’ tails just hang down their hocks and heels. This is why it’s crucial to understand how natural tail positions look like for other dogs.

For example, pugs have a curled-up tail as their natural position. On the other hand, greyhounds’ tails rest in between their legs.

Relaxed and moving back and forth with the body

If you see your dog’s tail relaxed and moving back forth along with its body, you’re most likely dealing with a happy and comfortable dog!

When your dog does a relaxed tail wagging, it’ll usually be accompanied by a happy expression. Happy dog facial expressions include bright eyes, a comfortable open mouth, and a gentle pant.

If your dog shows these expressions but is wagging their tails faster, it signals an excited dog.

Rigid body, and tail high and moving back and forth

If your dog’s body language is rigid, and their tail is high and moving back and forth, they may be telling you that they’re feeling uncomfortable or territorial. Besides that, another body language you should note is if they look hesitant about something.

Other times, your dog’s tail may be in a high position and moving rapidly back and forth. When this happens, this could mean aggression. This is usually reported as a dog’s body language by people before they were attacked.

If your dog is often expressing this type of emotion, you should let them undergo dog training to ease their aggression and avoid any attacks.

Left or right tail wagging

According to research, your dog’s wagging tail direction has different meanings. If your dog’s tail is wagging towards the right, your dog is more relaxed. However, if it’s wagging towards the left, your dog may be nervous, stressed, or anxious about something.

Conclusion

If you want to understand what your dog is feeling or what they’re trying to say, other than their facial expressions, it’s best to note how they wag their tails. By taking your dogs to a reputable doggie daycare and enrolling them in dog training, you’ll better understand how they communicate, and you’ll get expert advice on how to manage and interact with your furry loved ones.

If you’re looking for a doggie daycare in Brandon, The Paw Resort and Wellness Centre is the best place to take your pet to. We are a family-owned, 7,000-square-foot facility in Brandon, Manitoba. We provide multiple pet services with high standards that you expect and your pet deserves. Call us to book today!