What does a dog's tail wagging mean? Teach you the meaning of a dog's tail movements

Jul 26,2025
12Min

Put your tail between your legs

There is a folk saying, "Put your tail between your legs and be a human being", which means you should be honest and honest and not too showy. This saying actually comes from dogs. When a dog feels scared, it will tuck its tail tightly between its legs and stick it to its belly to show weakness or submission to the other party. The reason why dogs do this is because there are anal glands distributed at the base of the tail, which can emit a strong odor, including some of their own information. Clamping the tail can effectively block the odor signals emitted from the anal area. Prevent "secrets" from being leaked and attracting unnecessary attention and disputes.
Faced with this situation, it is best to take your dog away from this "place of right and wrong" and soothe its hurt heart! If you are facing an unfamiliar dog, do not give it any stimulation at this time, such as shouting loudly or turning away. Instead, stay calm and let the dog understand that you are not a threat.
It should be noted that if the dog keeps its tail tucked for a long time and is not allowed to be touched by the owner or screams in pain after being touched, it may be caused by disease or injury and should be taken to a doctor in time.

Wag the tail slowly

When a dog is in a good mood, his whole body will relax, and his tail is no exception. He likes to slowly wag his tail to express his comfort and relaxation, and at the same time convey it to the other party. Intimate feelings.
Don’t think that a dog requires a lot. Sometimes just a caress or a nickname is the best reward and reward for it. If the dog holds its tail low between its legs and shakes it slowly and stiffly, , indicating that the dog is hesitant because of something or a certain object. At this time, it is best to clarify the situation before taking the next step to avoid making the dog hostile.

Put your tail up and wag it a little

In order to show your strength when facing an "enemy" or an opponent that makes it uneasy, a competitive dog will sometimes take the initiative to shout at the opponent. Provocation: First raise the tail upward, then wag it a little.
This kind of provocation is not a reckless move. The dog hopes that the other party will reveal more flaws and be defeated in one blow. In addition, the dog also performs this behavior to test the opponent's strength and decide whether to attack or escape. When facing this behavior of a dog, you must show that you are strong to show the authority of the owner. If it happens between two dogs, it is best to isolate them if you want to avoid a "fight".

Raising its tail high and wagging it quickly

A dog wagging its tail is not always a friendly sign. When it raises its tail high and wags it quickly, it puts the main weight of its body on its front legs. When fighting, it is best not to try to get close to or contact it, so as not to make the dog mistakenly think that the fight is over.After starting, then launch the attack.

Keep the tail horizontal and wagging rapidly

Who said that people of the same species must be "enemies"? Dogs also have their own circle and good friends. Want to know who your dog’s best friend is? You can see it clearly by looking at the tail. When the dog's tail remains horizontal and swings violently, while the buttocks are also shaking, it must be that the dog's special friend has appeared, and it is greeting the other party after a long separation.
At this time, let him immerse himself in the joy of reunion, and don't rush to pull him away from his old friend.

Tail raised

When a dog’s tail is raised, it generally means that it is confident. However, due to different specific circumstances, there will be some differences in details. If the dog's tail is between parallel and vertical, it indicates that it is more dominant;
If the raised tail appears stiff, it indicates that the dog now dares to challenge anyone or the same kind;
> If the upturned tail is relatively soft, it indicates that the dog is very confident at this time, but will not do any radical behavior;
If the tail is upturned and slightly curled, it indicates that the dog is not only confident but also full of dominance Desire, it is looking forward to being praised by others to satisfy its own little vanity.
For the first and second types of dogs, try not to disturb them. At this time, whether it is giving orders or normal communication, it may cause dissatisfaction and resistance of the dogs. For the third and fourth types of dogs, you might as well take the opportunity to arrange some simple training courses. After successful completion, praise and encourage them without hesitation to fully satisfy their self-esteem. What can be more exciting for dogs than this? Woolen cloth?

The tail remains still

The tail is an important tool for dogs to convey information. It uses changes in speed or shaking direction to communicate with each other.
If the dog does not wag its tail after raising it up, it does not mean that there is something wrong, but it means that it is overwhelmed by the unexpected events happening in front of it and has to quietly observe with an uneasy heart. . Don't let your dog be confused for too long. Sometimes a simple pointer can make him suddenly enlighten and divert his attention to other things.

Tail raised and wagging slightly

A dog's tail raised and wagging slightly is usually a friendly signal. If the objects of this action are of the same kind, it means that they are playing games and are in a very happy mood. However, a gentle wagging of the tail is just a general friendly gesture by a dog. When its tail swings violently and causes its hips to shake, it must be the appearance of the dog's special friend, usually a greeting after a long absence. If the target of this action is the owner, it means that the dog is full of expectations and longing for the owner, hoping that the owner can fulfill his small wishes.
 

Tail drooped

When a dog feels scared or uneasy, and if the owner is present, in order to seek "psychological comfort", the dog will slowly approach the owner, droop its tail, and look up from time to time. The owner's reaction is hoping to be comforted by the owner.
This behavior is also used by dogs to ask for forgiveness from their owners. It is a way of acting coquettishly, until the owner's emotional defense line is broken down by its affectionate tactics. If it is the first situation, you need to calm down the dog immediately. You can pick it up and stroke it gently or comfort it with words to help the dog build up its confidence.
For the second situation, it is no longer appropriate to punish the dog with indifference. A low mood means that the dog has realized its mistake. Continuing to punish will only make the dog's mood worse and worse. It will destroy the trust relationship between each other. A dog's drooped tail may also be a sign of relaxation, with the tail pointing slightly downward and farther away from the hind limbs. For a more relaxed dog, you might as well give it a bath or do some training while you are in a good mood. A dog in a happy mood may agree to it completely.

Tail erect


Generally, when a dog holds its tail up, it shows that it is confident and in a dominant position. If the dog's tail is upright and it appears very nervous, its body is slightly tilted down, and it makes a "whining" sound, it means that the dog has entered a state of high alert, with potential strong aggression and vigilance, setting the stage for the next attack. Find opportunities.
What’s worse than messing with a hyper-vigilant dog? Don’t rush up to say hello at this time! In addition, an erect tail is also a more cautious way of greeting dogs when they meet the same kind or other things for the first time. They use this method to estimate their chances of winning and then decide whether to attack or retreat.

Tail hair suddenly rises

When a dog suddenly raises its tail high and the hair on the tail or the end of the tail also suddenly rises, it means that the dog is facing a huge person. An external reaction of anxiety, fear, and uneasiness when facing an opponent but unsure of the outcome.
At this time, in order to not lose to the opponent in terms of momentum, all the hair on the tail will stand up, making it look very fluffy and much larger, making the tail look more powerful. If only the hair on the tip of the tail stands up, it means that the dog is a little nervous, scared or anxious at this time. It is telling the other party: "I am not threatening you, please don't hurt me! At this time, it is best to take the dog away as soon as possible." Get away from the source of fear and comfort and encourage it at the same time. Of course, if the dog reacts too strongly, wait until it calms down before comforting it to avoid causing the dog to lose control.

Slanted tail Uplift

Dogs are an easy one to satisfy&rdquoThey are little things, and every little thing will make them full of confidence. You see it raises its tail at an angle, walks with its chest held high and its head held high, with an extremely arrogant look, as if to say: "Did you see that? This is the way a boss should behave! Confidence is very beneficial to a dog’s mental health. As long as the dog has not challenged the owner’s authority, it is best not to deliberately attack it.
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