What a Dog Wagging Its Tail Means

Dog tail wagging is part of a dog’s body language, but it’s only a small part. Assuming a dog is friendly because his or her tail is wagging is like reading a sentence with missing words–it’s impossible. Instead of narrowing in on tail wagging, it’s vital to read a dog’s entire body language before assuming he or she is friendly.

Before reading on, it’s important to understand my interpretation of dog body language is based firmly on scientific research and my 20-plus years of experience as a professional dog trainer. Some readers may completely disagree with my interpretations because they’ve learned something different. If that’s the case, I beg you to do further research on canine body language. Misinterpretation of a dog’s body language is a huge disservice to dogs and can be deadly. Know all the facts before assuming something is correct.

Understanding Dog Body Language

Dog body language is complex, and often difficult to interpret unless you’re a professional in the dog training industry. Shoot, many dog professionals misinterpret dog body language too! Canine body language is different than human body language, and pet owners often assume certain canine responses are friendly when they’re not. Dog tail wagging is one of these misinterpretations; tail wagging does not mean a dog is friendly.

Let’s discuss different types of tail wagging and tail positions plus additional dog body language nuances that usually follow right along with these types of tail wags. I think pet owners will be shocked at some of these interpretations.

Types of Dog Wagging Tail Behavior

Loose Wagging Tail From Side to Side

When dogs are happy and relaxed, you’ll notice a soft loose tail wagging from side to side. Usually the entire tail is wagging, including the dog’s rear end. Never just focus on a dog’s tail though; look at his or her ears, eyes, mouth and total body position too. 

For the most part, a friendly dog’s body language is soft, relaxed and loose. Friendly dogs have soft eyes; the corners are relaxed and minimal white showing. Ears are held softly in their normal position and may move back and forth softly. Friendly dog mouths are softly panting with relaxed corners–no teeth are showing and tongues are usually held inside the dog’s mouth with minimal drooling. A friendly and relaxed body position means a dog is standing equally between front and back legs with a minor shift forward.

Fast, Low Wagging and Tucked Tails

When dogs hold their tails downward or keep them tucked, and wag them quickly, they are usually worried. Fearful dogs wag the bottom half of their tail stiffly, even when tucked, but always look at the dog’s entire body language.

In general, worried, scared and fearful dogs hold their body backwards and tucked. Their ears are pulled backwards (sometimes pinned) and close to their heads. Their ears may pop up into normal position for a few seconds and then quickly lie against their head again. When dogs are worried, their eyes are round and wide with whites of their eyes showing (whale eye) and eyes sometimes darting back and forth. The corners of their mouths are usually pulled back, almost in a tight grimace, and teeth may be showing. A worried dog will usually stand with the majority of his or her weight pushed backwards away from the scary thing that’s worrying him or her. Sometimes, scared dogs will hold up a front or rear foot, freeze, shake, move slowly, sniff the ground, blink excessively, pant or hold mouth tightly shut, and look at or away from the thing that’s scaring them.

If a dog is fearful, never pet, approach or force a dog to comply. You’ll only make it worse.

RELATED: How to Talk to Your Dog Through Calming Signals

Stiffly Wagging Tail

This type of tail wag confuses people every day, and it’s never a good outcome. When dogs hold their tails up high and stiffly wag it from side to side, this means they’re highly engaged in something or someone. Usually, you’ll see this type of dog tail wagging behavior when Terriers see vermin. It gives me chills and not in a good way. As always, look at the dog’s entire body language before assuming anything.

For the most part, completely engaged dogs are stiff, erect, still and focused. Their stiffly wagging erect tail is followed with stiff and erect ears that are honed forward (sometimes they can dart from side to side quickly). Also, eyes are laser-focused, hard, staring and narrow while corners of the mouth are pushed forward into an agnostic pucker. And yes, teeth may or may not be showing. This dog’s body language is usually leaning forward–stiff and eerily still with some lunging toward whatever he or she is focused on. It’s almost like this dog is standing on his tippy toes and glaring at whatever he’s looking at. He means business.

This type of body language is hard to label. A dog could be warning someone or something to stop moving toward him or her, or it could mean a dog bite is about to happen. Never pet a dog displaying this type of body language, and never allow him or her to greet another dog (on or off leash) ever. This dog is basically saying I will hurt you if you proceed closer, and he or she has the teeth to do so.

If your dog displays this type of body language toward people, children, dogs and any other animals, get out of the situation ASAP and seek professional help. Punishing this dog behavior makes it worse. I’ve witnessed it firsthand many times, and, if someone tells you differently, find another professional dog trainer who teaches dogs different ways to react other than aggression.

As With Anything, Things Can Change

Now, just like humans, dogs can rotate between different emotions within seconds. A dog could happily be enjoying a favorite chew, but when someone tries to take it away, you’ll notice stiff body language. Dog body language ebbs and flows daily and sometimes hourly; just interrupt it and respond as needed.

Never focus on just a dog’s wagging tail. Look at the entire picture, and not just a few words. 🙂