Why do dogs wag their tails?

When a dog sees you, its tail swishes back and forth. It looks so happy! But did you know a dog’s tail is actually a way of talking?

A tail full of feelings

Dogs cannot use words, so they share their feelings with their bodies — especially their tails. A wagging tail is a little like a smile or a frown: it tells you what the dog feels inside.

To really understand a dog, you watch not just if the tail moves, but how it moves.

Reading the wag

Here are some tail messages:

• A loose, happy wag that swishes wide, sometimes with a wiggly bottom, usually means, “I am so glad to see you!”
• A stiff, high tail that hardly moves can mean the dog feels unsure or is paying very close attention.
• A tucked tail, pulled down low between the legs, often means the dog feels scared or shy and would like some space.

So a wag does not always mean “happy” — you have to read the whole dog!

How dogs talk to each other

Dogs also wag for other dogs. The tail helps them spread their special doggy smell and lets other dogs know how they feel before they get close. Ears, faces and barks help too. Their tails are just one part of how dogs talk.

Wonder fact: Many dogs wag a little more to the right when they feel happy, and more to the left when they feel worried!