If you have a dog then you already know that they are a great judge of character, but we bet you didn’t know that a dog’s tail language can tell you how they are feeling. Dogs communicate almost everything they feel through body language, and their tail is the most expressive part of their body. You can tell if your dog loves you just by keeping an eye on his everyday body language, but when it comes to gauging your dog’s other moods, looking at his tail helps. This is especially useful when it comes to meeting new people and their dogs. If your dog isn’t enjoying the interaction, you might see this in his tail long before he starts barking. By looking at your dog’s tail you can also tell if your dog is scared, happy, embarrassed, or tired. Find out what to look for below.
Perked Up
If your dog’s tail is perked up high and proud, it’s likely that it is also feeling perky. This tail posture indicates that your dog is feeling confident and in control. This is great for your dog’s self-esteem, but it may mean that it’s considering showing another dog or human who the boss is. Watch out for any intimidating behavior, but otherwise, encourage it.
Straight Out Behind
If your dog’s tail is sticking straight out behind it, keep an eye out to see if something or someone seems strange. This posture indicates that your dog is feeling very cautious and uncertain. This might happen when it hears a phantom noise in the night, or if it sees someone in the park it’s not too sure about. When this happens, give your dog space to figure out what it is.
Slight Wagging
A slight wag can communicate a few different things. In some situations, it might mean cautious approval, like if your dog is deciding whether they like their new toy or not. However, if it occurs when your dog is meeting someone for the first time, this indicates that it’s anxious about that person’s standing. Your dog is not sure if it should act submissively or try to be the alpha, and this is making it kind of nervous. Give your dog some reassurance and love to help increase their self-esteem, and separate your dog from any other dogs or visitors until its tail starts to wag in earnest again.
Actively Wagging
This one is a complete no-brainer. If your dog is wagging its tail like crazy, it probably means that it is extremely happy. This gesture is usually accompanied by a lot of slobbery kisses and jumping.
Pointing Straight Up
If your dog is pointing his tail straight up in the air, it is mad. Someone or something is scaring it, and your dog is considering attacking whatever it is. Restrain your dog with a leash until it calms down or the threat has been removed.
Between Legs
If your dog is looking morose and has its tail between its legs, check the surrounding area for any accidents. This move is a classic indicator that your dog feels sad and ashamed. A dog might display this behavior if they have done something bad, like pooping on the carpet or tearing up your favorite slippers.
Floppy and Relaxed
This is the ultimate sign of canine contentment. If your dog is a floppy pile of fur on the couch next to you, it’s totally happy and loved-up. Your dog is signaling their total trust in its surroundings.
Head and Tail Down
If your dog puts its head down and its tail between its legs, it’s probably feeling really sad and submissive. This is the ultimate “beta dog” posture. If your dog does this to you, it’s signaling that it knows that you’re the boss, but it might also indicate that your dog is scared of you. Some dogs are especially sensitive to criticism, and this might be the signal that you need to dial back the way you discipline and train your dog.
