What does a low tail wag indicate?
Written by
Elin Eriksson
Reviewed by
Prof. David Walsh, Ph.D.Low tail wagging These indicate positive or at least neutral behavior, but also signal submissive and negative emotional states in dogs. Everything from mild anxiety to severe distress, I have seen rescue dogs cower and tuck their tails completely when scared. Unlike the high, confident wag, a low movement depicts that this dog is exposed and vulnerable. As this is only interpreted correctly when considering the dog's body language, if you see a lip lick or a wide-eyed expression, the dog is not comfortable.
Fear Responses
- Tucked tails during thunderstorms or fireworks
- Trembling movements in unfamiliar environments
- Combined with flattened ears and crouched posture
Submission Signals
- Low sweeping wags toward dominant dogs
- Slow movements during appeasement gestures
- Accompanied by lowered head and averted gaze
Physical Discomfort
- Stiff low wags indicating pain or injury
- Reluctance to move combined with tucked tail
- Sudden changes from normal wagging patterns
Stress Indicators
- Low vibrating wags during separation anxiety
- Tail tucked between legs in crowded spaces
- Excessive panting with low tail carriage
Recognize breed differences in low wagging. Huskies and northern breeds typically have naturally low tails due to their conformation. Low-wagging breeds, such as bulldogs, do not typically exhibit submission with their tails. My bulldog wags with a whole-body crouch rather than a head lowering. Guess what "normal" looks like, and if there's a shift in low wagging, then your dog is feeling something different.
Implement safety responses for low tail signals: with fearful dogs gathering to you. Approach simply by being sideways to them and offering treat value at ground level. I've settled anxious dogs by sitting within the presence and being sideways to them. Pain wags, visit immediately to assess. Never punish low wags, honest communication in needs to us, to respond through patient listening with both our language regularly.
Read the full article: Dog Tail Wagging Meaning: What Your Pup Is Saying
