Creature Feature – What’s Wagging the Dog?

A lengthy study looking at over forty species of animals revealed that the domestic dog wagged its tail most often. But exactly why do dogs wag their tails? The seemingly obvious answer is that they’re happy; but there’s more to wagging tails than meets the eye. 

Tail wagging in dogs began as a means of communication with other dogs, which we know from studying wolves and other wild canines; yet, tail wagging is far less common in wolves than in domestic dogs, and dog puppies wag their tails at an earlier age than wolf pups do. Tail wagging appears to be a more specialized means of communication in man’s best friend.

Most experts agree that when dogs wag their tails, they are communicating different emotions better interpreted based on the carriage of their tail as well as the speed and even the rhythm of the wag—subtleties that might make the difference between, “Yippee! You’re back home!” and “I’m considering attacking you.” 

Indeed, dogs use their tails to communicate signals beyond happiness to people and other dogs. A stiff, upright tail can display dominance; a tail held horizontally may signal neutrality; a lowered tail often reflects timidity; hyperactive wagging imbues excitement; and a slow-wagging tail communicates ambivalence. Furthermore the pattern of tail wagging can relay specific things. For example, the “circle wag” (when a dog’s tail sweeps around like a helicopter blade) expresses elation. Research even suggests that dogs wag their tail with a “bias” to the left or right based on whether they are experiencing positive or negative emotions. 

One veterinary physiologist suggests that tail-wagging in dogs is similar to people gesturing with their hands while talking. Imagine that! 

Article & photo by Margie Manthey