Why do dogs wag their tail?

Answer 1

A dog wags it's tail to show that it's happy. They also can show other emotions by their tail expression. Straight up and stiff usually means they are in agression state maybe checking out a stranger or a noise, tucking of the tail means they are scared or in some cases they know they are in trouble.

Answer 2

Because they are happy.But ask.com said that
some experts believe that a wagging tail is a sign of conflict. When an animal is in conflict, it wants to retreat and advance at the same time. The wagging tail is an indication of this confusion.

When you see a dog wagging its tail, odds are that the dog is in good spirits, probably running after a ball or begging for a treat. However, you should be aware that a wagging tail isn't a definitive sign of a friendly dog; proceed with caution if you think the dog is aggressive.

Answer 3

Some experts believe that a wagging tail is a sign of conflict. When an animal is in conflict, it wants to retreat and advance at the same time. The wagging tail is an indication of this confusion.

When you see a dog wagging its tail, odds are that the dog is in good spirits, probably running after a ball or begging for a treat. However, you should be aware that a wagging tail isn't a definitive sign of a friendly dog; proceed with caution if you think the dog is aggressive.

Answer 4

Because the dog's ancestors were pack animals, they needed to develop a way to communicate with each other. They use many different types of body postures and vocalizations as a type of language. The tail is extremely expressive and an important part of the body posture.
A friendly dog will communicate his intentions through loosely wagging his tail. But, a wagging tail does not always indicate friendliness. Dominant or aggressive dogs may wag their tail, but the tail is held high and maybe just the tip of the tail is moving rapidly. A playful dog will also hold his tail high, but it will be wagging greatly from side to side. A dog who holds his tail low and wags it stiffly may be indicating he is submissive or afraid.

The tail is just one part of the dog, also look at his body, head position, ears, eyes, and hackles to help you understand what the dog may be trying to express.

Answer 5

Thats the way dog express thier feelings if its wagging he is happy and if its tail is straight up it is mad or protective .

Answer 6

No, no, you don't understand. The tail wags the dog!

Answer 7

I actually researched this awhile back for my own good. The most common reason I found was that the dogs release a chemical (believe they're called "ferimones") through their anus. (maybe that's why they're always sniffing each other's butts) and then they use their tails to "fan" that "ferimone" chemical out in the open. This apparently helps aid them in mating.

Answer 8

Hi! I'm happy to see you!" declares the wagging tail of an approaching dog. Or does it?
One theory suggests tail wagging is a physiological response to get rid of excess energy in dogs who are torn between urges to advance and retreat, says Dwight Tapp, a PhD candidate in psychology at U of T. But, by far, the most common explanation is that tail wagging is a form of social communication.

"Tail wagging is done for a purpose - to communicate an emotional state to other living things - rather than simply happening as a result of an emotional state," explains Tapp. "For example, dogs don't generally wag their tails when they are alone. A dog approaching a food bowl will likely be excited but will not wag its tail if there is no other animal (human or non-human) in the room. The wag would occur only with an audience."

Along with signalling emotion, tail wagging also helps dogs communicate their rank, says Tapp. Highly social creatures, dogs have an ancestral need for hierarchies in which each dog holds a rank in the pack to determine who eats first, who enters a walkway first and so on.

"A dominant dog will often display an aggressive wag - a tail held high and wagging slightly - when confronted by a dog or person it does not know," explains Tapp. "Low ranking dogs, on the other hand, will often begin a new exchange with their tails between their legs, wagging only slightly."

Wagging also spreads pheromones, an important part of canine communication, Tapp says. When a dog moves its tail, the muscles around the anus contract and press on glands that release a scent unique to each animal, enabling others to determine its sex, age and social status. Submissive or frightened dogs may not wag their tails because they want to minimize the expression of these glands and avoid drawing attention to themselves, he notes.

Both the position and speed of the tail wag signal different emotional states. A tail held high and wagging quickly is often a sign of play or euphoria although it can also signal an aggressive dog. A horizontal tail that is wagging steadily likely means the dog is studying something closely while submissive dogs tuck their tails between their legs to signal fear or indicate they do not pose a threat.

How fast a dog wags its tail depends on breed and personality, Tapp says. Spaniels often wag their tails at the slightest provocation whereas Rottweilers don't wag nearly as much. "Not every dog is adept at 'tail-speak,'" he says. "Just as some people are less articulate than others, some dogs don't communicate well with their tails."

Tail wagging speed has more to do with genetics than ability, he adds. The tails of some breeds are just less mobile. Dogs with small, tightly curled tails such as pugs and those with tails that have been shortened such as boxers may also rely on ear positions to express emotion. Dogs with long bushy tails such as German shepherds, huskies and retrievers have little trouble with tail talk.

"Terriers fall somewhere in-between," says Tapp. "Their tails are short but what they lack in size, they make up for in mobility, conveying happiness by wagging their tails at very fast intervals that often extend to include the rump."

P. Dwight Tapp is a PhD candidate in the Department of Psychology. His research, supervised by Professor Bill Milgram at U of T at Scarborough, combines behavioral testing with MRI images to examine how complex cognitive functions and brain structures of dogs change as they age. After completing his PhD at U of T this summer, Tapp will be pursuing post-doctoral research at the University of California-Irvine.

Question courtesy of Laurelle LeVert, Toronto.

Answer 9

Becasuse its the only thing they can do that we cant so they like to show off.

Answer 10

Isn't it easy? They do it because they are excited, happy, and THEY WANT TO!