What does it mean when your dog wags its tail?

Thousands of years´ collaboration between humans and dogs have created a communication bridge between the two species. Humans use words and speech to express feelings and intentions. Dogs use body language and vocalizations to communicate with us and other dogs. One of the most understandable ways is when the dog is wag it’s tail.

Waggles can have different meanings depending on the dog’s body language and the situation.

Here are some of the most common meanings when the dog wag it’s tail:

• Happiness and enthusiasm: The most well-known sign for us is happiness and excitement. When you come home to your dog or when playing with the dog the waggle can be a clear sign that the dog is happy.
• Kindness: Waggle can also signal kindness towards humans and other animals. It is often a sign that the dog is safe and comfortable in the situation.
• Submissiveness or fear: Sometimes a waggle can be a sign of submissiveness or fear. If the dog feels threatened or unsafe, the waggle can show that the dog wants to avoid a conflict and, in this way, tries to calm down the other part.
• Uncertainty or confusion: When the dog is in a situation it doesn’t understand it waggle its tail with a lower intensity.  This could indicate that the dog is trying to understand the situation or seek a sign from the surroundings before it reacts.
• Warning or defense: Even though it can be surprising to humans, a wagging tail can signal a warning or defense reaction. If the dog experiences a threatening situation the wagging tail and a straight back signal an aggressive behavior to protect its owners or itself.

There is a difference if your dog waggles right or left

When dogs see a person that they recognize, either their owner or a friend, they are excited to say hello to, the tail will wag slightly righter than left. However, if they see an unknown dog the tail will wag more in a left position.

The dog’s body is correspondent cross-laterally with the brain. This means that a wag towards the left relates to the right brain half – this is the part of the brain that controls hesitation and reclusiveness.

The opposite is a wag towards the right connected to the left-brain half, which is responsible for extrovert behavior and to get close to your surroundings.