missnoodliness:

drownedwednesday:

Wagging tails

I hear it almost every day during my consultations.

“But he’s wagging his tail, he must want to play!”

On Tuesday I saw a dog that was transferred from another vet behaviorist after moving to my area of the country. He was muzzled and lunged at me, barking, many times from across the room. Friends, his tail wagged every single time he barked and lunged.

I call a wagging tail the most misinterpreted dog body language sign. I encourage you to think of a wagging tail as a measure of energy level. I have so much energy! Do I want to play, am I anxious, am I terrified? It depends on the rest of the body language.

Yes, a dog can wag its tail curled over its back, and then bite you. I saw a dog just like this today, who was panting with very tight lips, ears back, looking from one car window to the other, and weaving back and forth. Anxious high energy.

Yup, a dog can wag its tail while tucked tightly under its body when approached by a stranger. Last week I saw a dog that tucked her tail, ears back, turning head away, frozen body, and urinated while her tail wagged during a physical exam. Fearful high energy.

Sure, a dog can wag its tail level with its back while running up to a person, jumping while their entire body wiggles loosely. I also saw this dog today! Happy high energy.

Behavior doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Make sure to look at the whole animal…yes, I want you to be holistic!

And don’t be deceived by a wagging tail!

👏 yes👏a thousand times 👏 this