What Do The Numerous Movements Of Your Dog’s Tail Mean?

Have you ever counted how many different movements your dog’s tail can have? Surely you never got to count them all. However, although there are many people who ignore these gestures, each movement means something and can be important in creating a bond with our pet.

Maybe some moves are more important than others, but it is important to know them well, as they can help us to understand our dog better and to cover its needs in the best possible way.

the importance of the tail

Since dogs cannot communicate with us through words,  they use body language to ask for something or to let us understand how they are feeling. The tail has a fundamental role  in the dog, as it is one of the most expressive parts of its body.

Dogs use it to communicate with us or with other dogs and, in addition, its movements help the pheromones, which are present in their anal glands, emanate from their body. Furthermore, they are also an important communication channel between dogs.

Having said that, we will now look at what the most common tail movements are and how to understand them.

The most common movements of the tail

For us, there are some movements of the dog’s tail that we believe are the most used by them, but perhaps you will remember others. This is our list:

• Movements in circles. When a dog lifts its tail and twirls behind it, circling in the air, it is definitely a sign that it is happy, that it wants to play, and that it is happy. Don’t ignore him and play with your friend, the bond between the two of you will only get stronger.
• About. When your tail moves non-stop from side to side, it means two things: on the one hand, happiness and excitement. For example, he might make this gesture whenever you get home. On the other hand, it can mean anxiety or nervousness. It will be easy to identify if we use empathy and try to understand how our dog feels at that moment, in that circumstance.

• Brief movements. If the tail moves very briefly from side to side, as if imitating a car flasher, your dog is getting ready to attack. If he is also with his ears back and teeth showing, move away from him or away from other dogs and people who are bothering the animal.

• Tail up. That’s a sign of authority, he’s trying to say who’s in charge of the piece. Be aware if he acts that way when you fight him or order something, possibly you didn’t teach him correctly that he’s not the boss, but you.
• Extended horizontally. If the animal’s tail isn’t tight, it’s a sign that the dog is interested in something. If, in addition to posture, he has a tight tail, it doesn’t mean he’s getting ready to attack, but rather that he’s marking his territory, and that he’s trying to show people that no one can meet him.

• Tail down. A lowered tail, away from the hind legs and producing smooth movements from side to side, shows insecurity. There is something in the surroundings that is making your dog feel uncomfortable, it could be due to a person or another animal, and this is your way of saying that you are not feeling comfortable.
• Relaxed tail. When the tail is relaxed, lowered and away from the paws, it means the dog is feeling calm, relaxed and at ease. He has an inner peace.
• Between the paws. This is a sign that most of us know. When a dog hides its tail between its paws, it is because it is afraid, it feels threatened and, at that moment, it is likely that it will also seek your protection.