The anatomy of a dog’s tail
There are many different types of dog tail, something which can make us confused about its anatomy. Some are long and fluffy, others short and stubby. A dogs tail is able to move, whether wagging from side to side or standing rigid. This ability to move makes some question what it is made of.
As with many animals with tails, a dogs tail is an extension of their spine. Like their spine, it is also made up of vertebrae, individual segments of bone which allow the tail to move. The reason why some dogs have smaller tails than others is an unfortunate result of human interference in dog breeding. Some breeders liked the stumpy appearance of a certain dogs tail and engineered breeds to show this trait.
The reason short tails are unfortunate is due to their purpose. Not only do tails afford dogs balance, they also are an important tool in communication. They will be moved into different positions which can send signals to other dogs, animals and humans. Each dog tail position can mean something different, but it needs to be considered in terms of the rest of their body language.
When a dogs tail is too short, it hinders their ability to communicate how they feel. This is another reason why dog tail docking, a process whereby the animals tail is shortened surgically, is also a needless an cruel practice.
As we can see, a dogs tail is an important part of their anatomy which has various uses. Now we look at some reaons in more detail why a dog doesnt like their tail being touched.
While breed can influence a dogs traits and behaviors, it is only one part of what makes up their personality. Every dog is an individual, with experiences and upbringing being the most important factors in how they will behave. Some dogs are simply very sensitive animals. It is their nature and they will act in a way which relays this sensitivity.
This can be extended to how they feel when we touch them. Some dogs will not liked to be touched because they feel sensitive in a certain area. Although this doesnt have to be the tail, there is another reason why this might be the case. Since the tail is so close to the anus, it can feel extra sensitive and may even breed some insecurity.
The reasons a dog may feel sensitive toward having their tail touched dont have to make sense to us. They may be otherwise idiopathic, but we still need to respect their boundaries. Since there are many benefits to petting a dog, it is important we do it in a way that doesnt make the dog feel comfortable.
There is a difference between a dog never liking their tail to be touched and not liking the sensation all of a sudden. If your dog suddenly doesnt like their tail to be touched when they had not problem before, it might be something physical is wrong. In these cases, the first thing we should do is take them to a veterinarian to see whether they have an injury or agitation.
It is possible when we were last outside, the dog was bitten by an insect. This can lead to general itchiness of the area, but it can also cause welts or even an abscess if the bite becomes infected. They may have been bitten by a larger animal, something which can happen if they were in an altercation with another dogs. In these cases, bacteria from the dogs mouth or something in their environment can cause an infection. Infected bites or other wounds can be very painful for the dog, even if they dont show many signs of pain.
Similarly, it is also possible for the dog to break their tail. In fact, a dogs tail is relatively easy to break, especially if it is a long-sized tail. Breakages can occur if the tail is caught in a door, they fall awkwardly or they have any sort of trauma. For a tail to be broken, either the bones themselves break or the joints can dislocate.
Take a look at this article on what happens if your dog has a limp tail for related information.
If your dog never enjoyed their tail being touched, you might want to look at a more emotional reason than physical. One of the most common factors for a dog not wanting to be touched (whether on their tail or any part of their body) is when they have experienced trauma in the past. Fears, phobias and even pain can be due to a past traumatic event.
Have you had the dog since they were a puppy? If so, you will be the one to have raised and educated them. You should be aware if they have experienced a particular trauma. However, if you have adopted an adult dog, it is quite possible you wont know much about their history. If you adopted them from a shelter, it is possible the dog has been previously neglected, abandoned or abused.
While we cannot always know what has happened to our dog, if we think we have reason to suspect they have experienced trauma, we need to be careful. In extreme cases, we will need to speak to a trainer or canine ethologist who can help us to overcome their problems.
Can Dogs Feel When You Touch Their Tail?
Yes. Dogs can absolutely feel when you touch their tail—assuming everything is working correctly. If your dog has an injury to its spinal column, it is possible that the nerves leading to the tail aren’t working, which can result in numbness. Because the tail is the furthest extremity from the brain, it tends to go numb first with these types of injuries.
With that said, if your dog doesn’t currently have any injuries, then they should be able to feel their tail just fine. In fact, some dogs have more sensitive tails than others and may not like them to be touched.
Often, the tail isn’t as thick as other portions of the dog’s body. Therefore, stepping on the tail may hurt dogs more than stepping on another part of their body, simply because the bones and nerves are quite close to the surface. It isn’t uncommon for dogs to not like their tails being touched. Therefore, if your dog has a boundary against touching their tail, don’t be surprised. However, if your dog suddenly has a very sensitive or droppy tail, it can be a sign of an injury. In this case, seek out veterinary attention ASAP.
Do dogs like their tails stroked?
Individual dogs also have specific spots where they like to be petted; common areas are the base of the tail, under the chin or on the back of the neck where the collar hits. Most dogs dislike being touched on top of the head and on the muzzle, ears, legs, paws and tail.
Why are dogs sensitive about their tails?
Dogs constantly amuse us with their playful antics. One of the more classic canine routines features a dog running in tight circles in endless pursuit of his own tail. We laugh as he twirls around, but the reason he chases his tail may be no laughing matter.