Can aggressive dogs wag their tails?
Written by
Elin Eriksson
Reviewed by
Prof. David Walsh, Ph.D.Aggressive dogs absolutely wag their tails, but they have varying signs indicating danger. This differs from friendliness in terms of speed, stiffness, height, and other mannerisms accompanying the wag. I've witnessed dogs wagging at lightning speed while guarding food. Their hightailed obnoxious wags are clearly warning wags.
Dominance Displays
- High stiff wags above spine level showing confidence
- Slow deliberate movements during territorial challenges
- Combined with forward-leaning posture and direct stares
Pre-Attack Signals
- Rapid short vibrations indicating heightened arousal
- Sudden freezing mid-wag before lunging
- Hackles raised along back and shoulders
Resource Guarding
- Stiff vertical wags while hovering over possessions
- Low growling with tense jaw muscles
- Whale eye showing stress while protecting items
The easiest thing to do is differentiate aggressive wags from playful excitement. A mischievous dog will have a loose body and will wag its tail in circles. Aggressive dogs will show muscle tension and hard staring. My terrier wags stiffly whenever he comes across an unknown dog; it looks nothing like his bouncy play wags. Always check for pinned ears and a closed mouth.
Be aware of breed tendencies. Guarding breeds such as the Rottweiler tend to carry their tails high. Herding dogs that work with livestock wag their tails stiffly. In a ready position, that Doberman has a rigid tail and body language. Never buy into breed suggestions of aggression. Look at the tail-body language dynamics.
Work on your safety responses to the aggressive wag. Any signs of stiffness or vibration should make you freeze in your tracks. Avoid direct eye contact and back away slowly. I diffused a potentially dodgy woofer by turning sideways to show I wasn't a threat. Never correct these warnings. They are communication attempts. Treat them that way!
Read the full article: Dog Tail Wagging Meaning: What Your Pup Is Saying
