It is a common misconception that if a dog is wagging its tail, it will not bite. Our canine friends have a very complex set of body-language signals from the head to the tail that expresses clearly to another dog what his or her intentions are. Humans are just not very good at understanding this language.
That tail seems like a good place to start, and I'll go over some of the basics. By the way: Cats do not care what dog's tails are doing.
The big, happy, full-sweeping tail wag. The body is relaxed and the hips are moving from side to side. This wag along with the relaxed and happy language of the rest of the body is giving us the dog's acknowledgment of respect and leadership. It is telling everyone: I am happy and nonthreatening in any manner.
A broad, big tail wag. I am friendly and I am not a challenge and, hey, I think we can be friends. This is a common tail wag seen in rambunctious dog play.
A slight tail wag. A little tail wag when greeting can say "Hello" or "Am I okay with you? Just let me know and we can be friends. I am testing the waters with you, and I do not know you."
Fast tail wags. Two things can come from this wag. It can mean the dog is excited, or it can say the dog is stressed and there is some tension. To take a line from Stanley Coren's How to Speak Dog: "The size of each tail sweep tells us whether the dog's emotional state is positive or negative rather than about the dog's level of excitement." If you miss that stiff, fast tail wag, with all the other signals the dog is giving you, one step in the wrong direction could end in a dog bite.
The slow tail wag. I like to call this the "I am trying to get it" wag. When a dog is trying to understand something you are teaching it, not quite getting it, often you will see this slow wag. Once again, along with the body and head position, you can read if the dog is getting it or if you are confusing it. "Unsure" is the perfect word to describe this wag. The position is neutral, and it will change as the dog makes up its mind. Got it, do not get it, okay, not okay. I am always happy to get that okay signal when greeting a new canine friend.
Simply discussing the wag of the tail does not begin to cover everything the dog is communicating with that tail. The position of the tail is very important. Here are several that are worth remembering.
Tail tucked between legs: A fearful dog, which can be the quickest to bite out of fear. The animal is saying: "Please do not hurt me."
Tail down near hind legs: A dog that is not feeling well, or - in combination with body language - a dog that is insecure.
Tail lower and not horizontal with body: A relaxed dog. I call this the swishy noodle tail.
Tail horizontal at a slight angle away from dog, but not stiff: Something is going on, and the dog is very interested. If the dog's tail begins to stiffen, the situation is changing from interest to a possible bad interaction.
Tail straight out and stiff, slight angle away from dog: This position can suggest some aggression or challenge is going on. You will see it when certain dogs meet; it is not a threat posture but clearly is communicating to each dog that "One of us is the boss."
Both of the two postures above can change, and things can escalate quickly to aggression, a dog fight, or a bite. These are tail positions that are often misread by people, because you can see a quick little tail wag. And we love to watch that tail and forget everything else that is happening with the body.
Tail high and slight curve over body: I am the boss, and I am showing it to you. I walk with confidence and authority. It is a strut, and a strut that dogs get. The animal expects no issues with anyone in the room.
Tail up high between horizontal and vertical: Clearly a confident or dominant dog. If you add a stiff tail, it is on-edge; this is the dog that could start a fight. He wants to express dominance and, with added aggression, will take on a challenge and most likely not back down.
As you can see, a tail wag is not just a tail wag. In the canine world, it is a body part that is communicating clearly with another dog. Humans just need to catch up a bit.
Jean Regenwether has worked with animals in shelters and rescues since 1970, specializes in basic and intermediate dog training, and offers home-based training. She can be reached at greyhnd@iowatelecom.net.
