Dogs Tails

[Reddii]

http://science-community.sciam.com/thread....eadID=300004512

Both my dogs are pretty good with others on and off lead, unless a dog charges CK in a boisterous/aggressive manner (usually behind a gate when we are on a walk), then he can be very reactive - no barking, just lunging and the occasional growl. (I'd get a bit up tight too I think!) I THINK it is protective behaviour and nothing to be concerned about as we have been working quite hard on this and he is beginning to look to me when it happens instead of taking matters into his own hands.

Any way, in the course of researching I found this article and thought it might be of interest to some people - seems that just because your dog is wagging it's tail furiously it might not mean it's happy.........now, if only I could tell which way the tail is going!

[poodlefan]

Generally? Excitement. or arousal

Darce does this frantic tail wagging in every direction when he's seeking something by scent.. maybe it means 'concentration'. Actually I think it just indicates a higher level of arousal.

Edited November 22, 2007 by poodlefan

[Reddii]

Actually I think it just indicates a higher level of arousal.

According to the article the subtleties in how the tail is wagging (which way) suggests the cause of the arousal.

[jaybeece]

I like this subject, a link was posted a while ago and I started to pay attention to my dog's tail more.

His tail curves more to the right when he's comfortable about something/someone, more to the left when he's unsure.

He does round tail windmills when someone's at the door who he knows and is very excited to see, furious back and forth when he's excited but unsure.

It's interesting stuff

[Guest LoveMyCuddledog]

ok but it doesn't explain what's going on when a dog wags it's tail in a full circle! :rolleyes:

[Frieda]

ok but it doesn't explain what's going on when a dog wags it's tail in a full circle! :rolleyes:

Ceejay does the exactly same thing especially when she is looking for her ball. I call it her radar tail, if it goes any faster she would take off like a helicopter. I have never seen it before with any of my other dogs in the past, it just looks funny. Can anyone explain why?

I will be definatley be watching my dogs to see with they are lefties or righties.

[jaybeece]

ok but it doesn't explain what's going on when a dog wags it's tail in a full circle!

That's what I call a tail windmilll It means my dog is very happy and very excited, mostly when he sees someone he knows.

[peibe]

My female Pei has the same tail reaction to your dog jaybeecee

When my dogs tail tip is moving slowely they are highly aroused, normally in the hunt of lizards, mice, rats or possums

[Rascalmyshadow]

I find tails in interesting subject. I started to notice years ago while grooming, one breed in particular would wag their tail before they were going to bite, not something I was accustomed to as I was taught a dog with a wagging tail meant it was happy.

Then along came my maltese x silky she would wag her tail very slowly if she didn't like another dog, my now oldest poodle will do a kind of stiff wag if he doesn't like another dog, I know then to pull him away immediately.

Both dogs the behaviour seemed to be reserved for other dogs and not humans.

[Guest LoveMyCuddledog]

ok but it doesn't explain what's going on when a dog wags it's tail in a full circle!

I noticed last night that the boy is a lefty when happy. The fact that he still wagged to the left even when another dog tried to join in on a ball chase I guess I can take as a good sign.