In this case, it’s not the whole tail that wags, but rather the tail end of it. He Thinks He’s Threatenedįor dogs who are a bit more confident, but are just trying to defend their territory or themselves, there’s one more tail expression that, while similar to the fear one, has the tail in the completely opposite direction.įor defensive dogs, the tail is lifted higher than their back line and curls over toward the body. This all depends on what he thinks he did to warrant this response. In this case, tail wagging often expresses some form of anxiety or fear and it will be followed up by a fearful or guilty look on his face. He’s Afraidĭog’s who are scared will have their tail a lot lower than during other types of behavior, to the point where it may even be tucked between their legs instead of wagging around. Growling would only occur if you try to interrupt his R&R time. Showing That He’s Relaxedĭogs who are chill will have their tail curved while wagging it slower in a pendulous motion. If his intent toward you is positive, the tail will be wagging in circles while a negative intent has the tail moving more stiffly and only from one side to another. This is also followed up by a raised head with ears perked up and standing at attention. Showing ConfidenceĪ confident pooch will have his tail raised high and have it wagging rapidly. Here are a few basic examples of what each tail position usually means: 1. It’s like an accent in human speech where noticing the slight nuances becomes second nature over time and can mean a world of difference when interacting with a canine companion. The other signs are subtle and mostly revolve around growl pitch and the position and curl of the wagging tail. This is particularly true if you’re not well versed in canine body language. The best course of action is to back off. If you see his ears lifted and his gaze focused on you while baring his teeth and growling in a lower pitch, then it doesn’t matter what the tail is doing. While it may sound complicated, it’s actually quite easy, pay attention to both your dog’s front and back.Ī lot of people see a wagging tail and assume a dog is happy and won’t do any harm, but the reality is that the dog has more avenues of expression than just his tail. How Can I Tell The Difference In Behavior Via Tail Wags And Growls? You’ll know you’ve pushed the envelope too far if his tail stops wagging entirely and stiffens up which means the dog is an inch away from charging you. Here, you’ll want to back off for your safety, otherwise you may end up agitating the dog to a point where he has no other choice but to attack seeing as his warnings bore no fruit. However, this one isn’t being fearful, but is confident in his ability to bite back if you continue upsetting him. If you approach a dog and the growling is more accentuated, low-pitched, and threatening on top of a tail which is wagging from side to side instead of around in circles, then you’re likely stepping into his territory.Įither that or you’re doing something he doesn’t like. Obviously, if you can’t tell what’s wrong, then calling a vet is going to be the next order of business in order to get this behavior to cease and to get your puppo some well needed care. If the tail isn’t low but rather held high and it’s your dog, then it could be a health issue and he’s glad to see you as he expects you to be able to help him. He’s In PainĪlternatively, it could be a cry for help. Should these two signs coincide, then I advise you to back off to not stress the dog any further. This will then be followed by some higher pitched and repeated growling like a cry, as if the dog was in pain. This wag is often considered one of submission or fear which is something less experienced pet parents often overlook. Sure he’ll be wagging his tail, but it’ll likely be in a lower position than usual. The Dog Is ScaredĪnother common reason for growling while having a tail wagging is when the dog is scared of you for whatever reason. If this is the case, it’s best to remedy this behavior as soon as you can to clear this confusion before taking any further steps toward more complicated training methods. This then has them opt for both responses. Sometimes when training their dogs, owners can give them mixed signals which can confuse the dog’s normal responses and make them uncertain on how to react to certain situations. That’s why he mixes the growls in even when you come close, acting a little bratty, but ultimately caving to the idea while trying to appear in charge. In the most common of cases, a mix of these two behaviors, growling and tail wagging, can mean that your dog wants to do stuff together, but is reluctant to be the one to push the envelope.
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