Exploring the science behind canine tail wagging.
One of the most endearing behaviours displayed by our dogs is tail wagging. For many people a wagging tail is seen as an unequivocal sign of a happy and friendly dog. But is this assumption supported by scientific research, and what more is there to a wagging tail?
Tail attributes such as carriage (i.e. position) and wagging direction actually provide very good clues for dog owners about their dog’s feelings. Understanding the nuances of tail position and wagging can provide deeper insights into canine communication, help improve our interactions with our dogs and enable us to understand their emotional responses to different situations.
The Basics of Tail Wagging
Tail wagging is a common behaviour observed in our dogs and it occurs more frequently in domestic dogs compared to other canids. No one really knows how or why dogs started wagging their tails so much, but researchers have various hypotheses including that it’s a by-product of selection for other traits, such as docility and tameness – or that increased tail wagging has been directly selectively bred by humans during the process of domestication.
Although tail wagging is common and usually viewed as a positive behaviour by most owners, its meaning can vary significantly based on the context and form it takes. According to a study published in Current Biology (2013), dogs' tail wagging is not a straightforward indicator of happiness in a dog. The direction and intensity of the tail wagging, along with the position the tail is held in whilst wagging, can convey a great deal of valuable information about different doggy emotions.
Researchers have found that dogs wag their tails differently depending on the situation. This is because different parts of their brain control tail movements to the right or left side. When dogs experience positive emotions, like seeing their owner, they tend to wag their tails more to the right. On the other hand, when they feel negative emotions, like seeing an aggressive dog, they wag more to the left.
According to Gacsi et al. (2005), you can understand a dog's emotional state by the direction of its tail wagging: right-side wags indicate happiness, while left-side wags suggest stress or anxiety.
How can you tell the direction of the wagging?
Well, that is the question at hand! Determining the direction a dog is wagging its tail involves observing the tail’s movement and position relative to the dog’s body. It may be easiest to look from the front or behind the dog to see which side the tail moves towards more frequently.
It's important to consider the position of the tail relative to the dog's body since this also provides valuable information about how he or she is feeling. According to a study in Behavioural Processes (2016), a tail held high and wagging vigorously is often associated with a confident dog. On the other hand, a tail that is tucked between the dog’s legs or held low and wagging slowly, may indicate that the dog is fearful.
Speed also matters
In a comprehensive review published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science (2018), scientists examined various contexts in which dogs wag their tails. The review indicates that while a wagging tail can signal happiness, it can also occur in situations of fear, aggression, or uncertainty. For instance, a dog might wag its tail slowly and cautiously when feeling unsure or submissive. Conversely, rapid wagging combined with other body language cues can suggest excitement and friendliness.
Know your dog
It’s important to consider tail wagging in conjunction with other body language signals to accurately assess a dog's emotional state. A wagging tail should be interpreted alongside facial expressions, ear position, body posture, and vocalisations. For example, a dog that is wagging its tail but also displaying a tense body posture, flattened ears, or bared teeth may be feeling conflicted or threatened rather than joyful.
Tail wagging hints:
Watch the Direction of the wag: If you look from the front or behind the dog, you will be able to see which side the tail moves towards more frequently. Notice whether the tail is wagging more to the left (a left wag) or the right (a right wag) when he/she is exposed to different objects or situations so that you can improve your understanding of if your dog is feeling negative emotions related to anxiety or stress or positive ones such as joy or pleasure. Of course, as with all indicators of emotional state, it’s important to combine this information with other behavioural cues your dog displays.
Assess the speed and Intensity: Rapid wagging generally indicates high arousal such as seen when the dog is excited, while slow or hesitant wagging may signal discomfort or fear.
Observe the facial expressions too: Combine tail direction with facial cues like relaxed or tense facial muscles, eye shape, and mouth expression.
Look at their overall posture: Consider the dog's body posture. A relaxed, upright posture with right-side wagging is usually positive, whereas a crouched position with left-side wagging may indicate stress.
Regular Interaction and observing is key: The more you observe your dog’s tail wagging in various situations, the better you’ll become at interpreting its direction and meaning.
Conclusion
While a wagging tail is often associated with happiness in dogs, it is not a definitive indicator of their emotional state. Scientific research reveals that tail wagging can convey a range of emotions depending on the direction, speed, and position of the tail, as well as the overall body language of the dog. To truly understand a dog's feelings, it is essential to consider tail wagging as part of a broader context of behavioural cues.
By paying attention to these subtle signs, dog owners can foster better understanding of canine communication to enhance their relationships with their canine companions, ensuring their well-being and happiness.
References:
Gacsi, M., et al. (2005). "The effect of tail wagging on the assessment of dog emotions." Behavioural Processes .
Marcello Siniscalchi, Rita Lusito, Giorgio Vallortigara, Angelo Quaranta, (2013) Seeing Left- or Right-Asymmetric Tail Wagging Produces Different Emotional Responses in Dogs. Current Biology, Volume 23, Issue 22, pp 2279-2282
Barbara B. Smuts and Camille Ward, Behavioural Processes (2016). "Tail position and its relation to emotional states in dogs."
Marcello Siniscalchi, Serenella D’Ingeo, Biagio Quaranta, and Angelo Quaranta. (2018) “Tail wagging as a lateralized communicative display in dogs", Applied Animal Behaviour Science.