What does a dogs tail position mean? The Ultimate Guide

# High Position and Relaxed Wagging

A more relaxed tail wag is a bit different. The tail position will be higher, but the wagging won’t be as frantic. Instead, it’ll be at a nice steady pace.

This is most common when owners finally return home from work. Dogs might move their tail in this position when dinner time comes around or they see a treat.

It means that your dog is happy and relaxed. They’re not overexcited like the previous tail position. Your pup is having a grand old time, but they’re still thinking clearly.

If your dog’s tail is still and in a horizontal or near horizontal position, it just means that they’re paying attention to what’s going on around them. When you see this, you’re looking at a dog who doesn’t want to miss a moment of the action that’s in front of them.

This position can go either way.

Your dog could be paying attention to something because they feel like things could go sour at any moment.

Alternatively, your pooch could be focusing very hard on a toy or person that they’ve never seen before.

Whatever the case may be, this position is pretty neutral. As long as it doesn’t escalate to a negative tail position, you should be fine.

This position looks similar to the previous one. Your dog’s tail is nearly horizontal. However, the difference is that the tail is stiff and still.

Instead of the relaxed nature of the previous tail position, it’s completely motionless.

When this position happens, your dog is taking a very cautious approach. You’ll see this tail position whenever your dog is meeting a new canine or human stranger for the first time.

Think of it as a challenge. Your dog is waiting to see what the stranger is going to do. If things go south, your dog will instantly transition to a more aggressive state. But if things stay peaceful, your dog may move onto tail wagging!

A lowered tail that’s stretched away from the hind legs is the position you want to see most of the time. It just means that your dog is relaxed and comfortable.

Ideally, this should be the position your dog has while they’re moving around the home. There’s no major drama going on.

Your pup is at ease and cozy. They may even be a bit tired, so don’t be surprised if you see them dozing off shortly thereafter.

Here’s a position that you should respond do. When the tail is down and close to the hind legs, it means that your dog is uncomfortable. It’s not quick touching the hind legs. Nor is it tucked under.

Your dog doesn’t know what’s going on. They might be in a new environment or around new people. When you see this tail position, your dog is experiencing some mental unease.

They’re feeling insecure and little down. At this point, it won’t take much to send your dog over the edge. So, tread carefully. Comfort your dog and don’t expose them to any uncomfortable stimulants.

Force exposure is only going to exacerbate their fears and make your pup go from zero to a hundred in seconds. Keep things calm and make your dog feel relaxed.

“He’s wagging his tail; that means he’s happy.” How often do you come across this statement? It shows how few people can actually read their dog’s communication correctly. There are as many dogs as different tails; that’s why messages sent by dogs must be read, taking into account their breed and natural body structure. Over the years of evolution, many different breeds have been created, and some have straight tails, others curled to the back. In addition, some dogs carry their tails relatively high, while others prefer to carry their tails low. So without knowing the differences between dog breeds, it’s easy to make mistakes in reading their signals.

The neutral dog’s tail position is when the tail is at the level of the back. It indicates that the dog is calm and relaxed. Free and sweeping movements of the tail indicate happiness. It is this wagging that signifies a dog’s joy. When a dog is happy, their whole body often waggles together with their tail. It can be seen, for example, when greeting the owner. The body is then relaxed.

A dog’s tail position can express a whole range of emotions. The tail’s wagging can indicate joy, but it can also express anxiety, fear, confidence, or announce an attack. Scientists have shown that dogs do not wag their tails when they are alone in a room, no matter what emotions they are feeling at the moment. By moving their tails, dogs want to communicate a particular message to the viewer.

Dog Tail PositionsIn reading the tail wagging messages, the tail’s position, the speed of wagging, and the direction of these movements are essential. You should not overlook the posture of your dog’s whole body and the messages sent out by their mouth, ears, eyes. Your dog’s behavior should always be read as a whole. Focusing only on the tail does not give you all the information.

Some dogs have had their tails deliberately clipped to make them look more threatening, making them much more challenging to communicate with. When reading the signals sent by a dog with a cropped tail, it is a good idea to look at the base of the tail. Even with a short tail, you can see if the dog is lifting it slightly or trying to push it under.

Horizontal (Stiff)

When the tail stiffens up horizontally, your dog is feeling a bit more intensely cautious. There may be a new visitor they’re not certain of or an unfamiliar dog close by to them. Your dog is waiting to see what’s going to happen next… It’s good for you to start taking some caution too when you see this tail position as things can change very quickly; negatively or positively…

Interpret Dog Tail Wags: How to Understand Dog’s Body Language