What does a dog’s tail wagging mean? How to judge the mood of a dog with a docked tail

Tail wagging is a collection of language

A dog's tail wagging is just a collection of language, and the position of the tail and the way it is wagging are the specific expression content of the language. First, look at the position of the dog's tail. If it is standing high and wagging, then don't get close. If it swings in the middle or slightly lower position, the dog should be more accepting of you. If the tail position is low or even tucked, it generally represents a posture of fear and refusal to socialize. At this time, it is best not to interact with it. Extreme fear may also lead to aggression.

How a dog's tail wags:

A slight wag with a small amplitude: greeting, tentative contact, or expecting to be discovered.
High amplitude, low frequency: relatively friendly, non-threatening, not challenging, relatively happy.
Low tail, slow wagging: low social interest, not dominant, submissive, insecure, overwhelmed, hesitant.
The amplitude is small and the frequency is fast, like shaking: it may be preparing to escape, or it may generate a threat.
Tail held high and wagging frequently: expressing threat or even a prelude to biting.

How to judge the mood of a dog with its tail docked

In fact, between dogs, the tail is just part of the message conveyed. Even without tail signals, dogs can use energy to get precise information. Therefore, even if dogs encounter a dog without a tail, there will be almost no problem, and they will quickly resort to other means. For dogs with docked tails or dogs with curly tails, of course we can only judge them through other body language. For example, whether the head is lowered or raised, the body is retracted or leaned forward, the limbs are relaxed or stiff, the hair is flat or erect, the ears are flat or upright, etc. to judge.