Important knowledge about dog tails
Dog nerd Majken is, as her name suggests, a bit of a nerd when it comes to dogs. She knows a lot about dogs and how they communicate. From time to time, she happily stops by Hunni in Christianshavn and makes us dog owners even more knowledgeable about our four-legged friends.
We asked Majken if she would tell us a little about the tail (short or long) our dogs have. What do our dogs actually say with their tails?
By dog nerd Majken
When the dog wags its tail from side to side, we have learned that the dog is happy and welcoming, and when the dog pulls its tail between its hind legs, that it is afraid or sad.
Both are actually true, but what the dog's tail shows cannot stand alone, we often have to look at the bodily and sometimes verbal signals as well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tb4QnW4iHFs
High, stiff tail with rapid wagging
A high tail with a stiff and rapid wagging, which can be clearly seen in small terriers, for example, is not a happy wagging, it can be a “wagon pole” that says “SCRUB OFF”
This tail can be difficult to do for dogs with a lot of fur, or those with very long tails, and if you see a raised tail paired with a stiff body and a pair of staring eyes, THEN you should keep your distance.
Soft and slow wagging
Soft and slow wagging, so soft that the tail almost touches the sides of the dog's belly, shows friendliness, "I come in peace, and I want you." This tail is often paired with the dog turning its head, laying its ears back, and some dogs walking almost sideways.
Practice and use your knowledge of the tail
Both tails may, to the untrained eye, look like the dog is "just wagging".
Look at your dog's tail in many different situations, film it, maybe even nerd it out a bit, and get to know your dog better.
Always support your dog if, for example, you experience walking past something it is uncomfortable with or does not feel like saying hello, say no, thank you, and go another way. Your dog must be able to trust you, then you will strengthen both the trust and the bond between your dog and you.
