The wag of a tail is instinctive in dogs; it’s used as part of their varied communication with one another and with humans. The tail wag: is there any behavior that's more dog-like?   Often, it seems fairly obvious what the dog is trying to tell you when it wags its tail. Why Dogs Wag their Tails Filipino folktale. So, why do dogs wag their tails to one side or another? Dogs may not be the only animals that wag their tails, but they certainly do it in the most iconic way. 5 Reasons Dogs Wag their Tails Your dog is feeling happy. Most people associate tail wagging with happiness and excitement, but there's far more to it than that. Why Do Dogs Wag Their Tails? Dogs wag… Most people look at a dog with a wagging tail and assume it is happy. Dogs express cheerfulness in different ways but one of the common ways they do it is by wagging their tails. It’s how they’re wagging their tail that reveals how they’re feeling. Although it would be awesome if our pets could speak to us in our native tongues, it’s not a realistic expectation, but they still need to communicate with us in some way. A wagging tail is widely recognised by owners but unfortunately it is also widely misunderstood. It doesn’t necessarily indicate a dog is feeling relaxed or happy — a dog who is about to bite can be wagging his tail. This is why docking a dog’s tail or cropping its ears hinders the dog’s ability to … Discover what it means when your dog has a wagging tail. Dogs wag their tails in order to communicate – and not always positively! It turns out that tail wags coincide with a whole range of emotions, not just happiness and excitement. A rich man in a certain town once owned a dog and a cat, both of which were very useful to him. And, in fact, a dog’s tail is probably one of the most expressive parts of its body, just ahead of its ears. Why Dogs Wag Their Tails . They know this because dogs don’t wag their tails when they’re alone. According to Lynn Buzhardt, DVM, a … Shutterstock. Dogs wag their tail to communicate with humans and other animals. Scientists derive this from the fact that the left side of the brain, which controls the right side of his body, is responsible for behaviors that relate to his approachability and his feel-good energy. When a dog wags its tail, though, it could be saying a lot of things, depending on how it’s wagging. The dog had served his master for many years and had become so old that he had lost his teeth and was unable to fight any more, but he was a good guide and companion to the cat who was strong and cunning. "But when they wag it to the left, it may indicate a feeling of fear." Canine behavioral specialists are now in agreement that dogs use their tails as a communication tool, to convey their emotions to other dogs, humans and even other animals. If the strokes are broad, it could mean your dog … Puppies aren’t born wagging their tails, as cute as that would be! Communication. Why Do Dogs Wag Their Tails? "When a dog wags their tail to the right, it is generally a sign of excitement," the veterinarian explains. Dogs that are scared or feel the need to run away will typically wag their tails on the left side of their body. Dogs come in a multitude of sizes and shapes, and so do their tails: from the long, skinny tail of a Greyhound; to the big, bushy, curved tail of an Akita; to the little corkscrew tail of a Pug.No matter its appearance, though, your dog’s tail is a physically and emotionally moving part of his life and personality. It’s a social signal dog do to connect with others and express happiness. Find out what your dog is trying to communicate with this common dog behavior. Tail wagging develops differently in different breeds, but it usually begins around three to four weeks into life. 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