B E H AV I O U R DID YOU KNOW?
Wagging their tails is a form of communication – dogs don't wag their tails when alone!
BODY LANGUAGE EXPLAINED PART 2: THE TAIL
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ost of us believe that a wagging tail is just a sign of a happy dog, but few of us recognise that a wagging tail can also signal anger, aggression or anxiety. People sometimes describe a 'happy-looking' dog lunging at another dog 'out of the blue'. This 'unexpected' behaviour is in fact, entirely expected when one realises that a wagging tail is a sign of arousal, both positive and negative.
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AROUSAL Arousal is simply a hyper-alert state. Your dog's heart rate rises, their reaction times decrease, and their senses become extra sensitive. If your dog's tail is wagging because you've just walked through the door or because you're about to throw a ball, they are alert because they are excited and happy. But, if their tail is wagging because they are patrolling the edge of the garden and they've just spotted a squirrel, they might be alert because they're gearing up for a chase. DQ|1B
