What a Wagging Tail Really Means

“I can’t believe she bit me! She was wagging her tail!”
meaning behind wagging dog tail

Dear Bark: I was bitten by a friend’s dog, which shocked us all because the dog was wagging her tail. What’s up with a friendly dog who bites?

This is a great question, and one that I hear frequently in one form or another from clients. Just like you, many people have been bitten by a dog they thought was friendly because the dog was wagging her tail. This common misconception—that a tail wag is a sure sign of friendliness—creates risky situations in which people believe they are safe when they actually might not be.

The confusion arises because, while friendly dogs do tend to wag their tails, they are not the only ones doing the wagging. Lots of dogs wag their tails when their intentions are anything but friendly. Tail wags are far more complicated than you might think.

Tags: 
ask the expert
dog behavior


from The Bark https://ift.tt/3hJZnXG

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Can Dogs Have Breath Mints?

Image
Bad breath can lead to embarrassing situations and breath mints are used to prevent this from happening. The problem of bad breath is extremely common among dogs but can they have breath mints? The answer to this question is a YES only if the mints have been made specifically for dogs. You can find a lot of dog breath mints in the market. Generally, artificial forms of mint use Xylitol (an artificial sweetener) that is toxic for dogs. Due to this reason, it is highly recommended to avoid all kinds of mint products that may contain this ingredient. Basically, it causes a sudden release of insulin in the body that leads to hypoglycemia. According to VCA Hospitals , even the smallest quantities of Xylitol can cause seizures, liver failure, or even death. Help! My Dog Ate a Mint If your dog has eaten a mint leaf, there is absolutely nothing to worry about. On the other hand, if he/she has ingested a breath mint with Xylitol in it, you need to move quickly. Despite the fact that xyl...
Read more

Can Cats Drink Tea And Other Caffeinated Beverages?

Image
Watching your sneaky cat inch towards your morning brew, you’ve probably wondered if cats can drink tea, coffee, or other morning musts with caffeine. The answer is complicated when it comes to sharing tea with cats, but one thing’s for sure: coffee and felines should never mix. Chock full of caffeine and other stimulants, cats should never drink coffee as caffeine is toxic to cats . This includes decaffeinated coffee since the beans also contain theobromine , another stimulant that can sicken felines. In protecting your cat from caffeine, don’t let her drink caffeinated sodas or energy drinks either. Also look out for guarana, mate, and cacao when checking food labels. All three are natural sources of caffeine. Also, according to the Pet Poison Helpline, caffeine may go by the alternate names   methylxanthine and xanthine . Did you know you can also find caffeine in diet supplements, weight loss products, and over-the-counter medications? If your cat manages to steal a sip ...
Read more

7 Fall Hazards All Pet Parents Should Be Aware Of

Image
Fall — i t’s here and beautiful as ever. The foliage is starting to change, the air is getting crisper, days are becoming shorter, and the festive feelings of Halloween and Thanksgiving are in the air. But, along with the beauty of the season come some potential fall hazards that all pet parents should be aware of.  1. Rodenticides As the days are getting shorter and cooler, mother nature’s little outdoor critters will begin looking for some temporary fall and winter housing to call home. Mice and rats are notorious for trying to get inside garages, basements, attics, and sheds as they search for a cozy place to call home. To avoid unwanted little tenants, many households put out rodent poisons. If you use these poisons anywhere in your home, make sure to keep them hidden and far out of the reach of your canine kids. These chemical formulas are toxic and potentially deadly for your pooch. 2. Mushroom Poisoning Mushrooms have a habit of popping up around this time of the year...
Read more