Why a wagging tail doesn’t always mean a happy dog!

Tail wagging is one of the main ways a dog communicates and there are different emotions behind each wag - not all of them are good.

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By watching how fast, which direction, and where their tail is held, you can much better understand how your dog is feeling.

Happy or excited wags

Happy dogs wag their tails quickly from side to side or swirl them like a helicopter. Their bum or whole-body often wiggles too. This type of wag is usually reserved for their favourite human or when they are having fun. They are saying "I’m so happy right now!"

Nervous or anxious wags

A slow, low wag can mean your dog is feeling nervous or anxious. You may see this in new situations, or when they see something or smell something new. They are saying "I’m not sure about this."

Alert or curious wags

When your dog is alert or curious about something, like a new smell or sight, you might see their tail stand up straight and wag slowly. It’s their way of saying, "Hey, what’s that?”

Friendly wags

A low, slow, sweeping wag usually means your dog is feeling friendly. They are showing humans and dogs they are not a threat, and they are saying "Hi, don't worry I’m friendly!"

Potentially aggressive wags

If your dog’s tail is held high and is stiff when wagging, it might be a warning sign. Especially when accompanied by growling, staring, stiffness or snarling. Your dog is saying "Back off buster!"

Once you understand what different tail wags mean, you’ll know how your dog is feeling in different situations and can help them out when they need it.

Take a closer look when your dog is wagging their tail and listen to what it's saying.

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