Dog Training Tip: Tail Wagging Have your heard this saying A dog that wags its tail is a happy dog? There is a real danger in believing this statement to be true as it is too generalized and needs more specificity. Let me break it down for you. There are three easily recognizable behaviours attributable to tail wagging: Aggression, Submission, or Fear. Aggression: Slow and high indicates a desire to be left alone and can lead to an altercation if approached. If your walking your dog and come up to a dog with this display, give it a wide berth or retreat. If you are trying to socialize your dog, this is a definite pass. There will be better candidates around the corner and avoidance in this scenario can negate psychological trauma and most likely save you a visit to the vetrenarian. Submission: Moderately low or horizontal tail wagging with big sweeps that seem to vibrate the entire body indicates a trusting, happy dog. This is the perfect candidate for socializing your dog to other canines. Fear: Low and stiff or tucked between the legs and remaining there indicates anxiety. A small percentage of these anxious dogs are fear-biters and are not to be confused with dominant aggressive dogs, which have a sign of deep-set personality problems; a fear-biter isnt necessarily a fierce dog, they are just scared. I recommend avoiding potential fear-biters when trying to socialize your dog. So the next time you hear someone say A dog that wags its tail is a happy dog you can give them the straight goods. Always teach, never punish Tom, The Puppy Professor.
Posted on: Thu, 07 Nov 2013 16:51:59 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015