Can dogs control their tail wagging?

Question

Can a dog be happy or excited but not wag his/her tail? Can it stop or start to wag regardless of its mood. Does it have to actively wag it's tail or does it just happen like, for instance, sneezing in humans?

Answer 1

no they cannot control it... its all automatic response!

Answer 2

I do believe they control it but see no reason to wag if they don't want to or stop if they do want to.
Interpreting animal body language
It is important to note that whilst many gestures and actions have common, stereotypical meanings, researchers regularly seem to find that animal communication is often more complex and subtle than previously believed, and that the same gesture may have multiple distinct meanings depending on context and other behaviors. So generalizations such as "X means Y" are often, but not always accurate. For example, even a simple tail wag may (depending on context) convey many meanings including:

Excitement
Anticipation
Playfulness
Contentment/enjoyment
Happy self-confidence
But also:

Anxiety
Questioning another animal or a human as to intentions
Tentative role assessment on meeting another animal
Reassurance ("I'm hoping to be friendly, are you?")
Uncertainty/apprehension
Submissive placation (if worried by a more dominant animal)
Combined with other body language, in a specific context, many gestures such as yawns, direction of vision, and so on all convey meaning. Panting may mean "Too hot"; it might also mean either emotional anxiety or happiness too. Thus statements that a particular action "means" something should always be interpreted to mean "often means" something. As with human beings, who may smile or hug or stand a particular way for multiple reasons, many animals reuse gestures too.

Descriptions in this article are therefore best viewed as common generalizations, to which a more experienced observer will be able to add further detail or understanding.

Ethology is a science which studies animal behavior.

[edit]
Dominance and submission
One of the most common communications between dogs, and from dogs to their human companions, is the display of either dominance or submission. Most dogs and wild canines live in groups, or packs, with an established hierarchy. Dogs will, usually, submit to any dog that is more dominant than they are. There are innumerable ways a dog can show their dominance or submission, depending on situation, the amount of difference in social rank, and each dog's own personality. Dominant dogs are more confident, while submissive dogs are more insecure. Both of these traits show in almost every communication signal a dog gives.

[edit]
Body movements
See also Wolf body language
[edit]
Tail
How high or low the tail is held, in relation to how the dog's breed naturally carries their tail, and how it is moved can signify the dog's mood and/or rank. The higher the tail is carried, the more dominant/confident the dog is; the lower, the more submissive/insecure. A tail held straight up, or even slightly curved over the back, shows that the dog is very dominant. If the fur on the tail is also bristled, the dog is saying they are willing and able to defend their position.

Small, slow wags of the tail says the dog is questioning things around them. Either they aren't sure if the target dog or person is friendly, or they aren't sure what is going on or what is expected of them.

Large, fast wags of the tail is a sign of a happy dog. If the wags are large enough to pull the dog's hips with them, the message includes a bit of submission to someone they view as pack leader.

Dogs with docked tails, like Dobermanns, tend to have some problems communicating with other dogs, since their tail movements are extremely difficult to detect.

Answer 3

Absolutely not! It is what as known as an involuntary response, just like breathing. You do it awake or asleep. Ditto for the tail wagging.

Answer 4

yes unless they are wagging themselves

Answer 5

It is like smiling...they can not control it when they are truly happy.

Answer 6

yes

Answer 7

not quite sure but i'd be interested to find out too

Answer 8

yah and its so cute

Answer 9

no