Why do dogs wag tails while lying down?

When dogs wag their tails while lying down, they signal underlying emotional states through these subtle movements. A wagging tail can indicate satisfaction, excitement, or mild stress, depending on the tail's movement and the accompanying body language. My golden retriever will thump his tail rhythmically when I rub his belly, pure bliss! But that same wag could convey discomfort if tempered by tense muscles.

Anticipation wags vs stress signals. An excited dog might indeed have an eager expression and twitching ears. In contrast, a dog anticipating treats might be wagging its tail at 1,000 beats per minute in response to the sound of bags rustling. An uncomfortable dog might be waggling its tail lowly while moving away from whoever is making it feel that way (I've seen rescues exhibiting this behavior during a storm). Always look for whale eye or tensing of the jaws - they indicate what the body is attempting to convey.

Learn to recognize your breed's wagging "style." For some, like sighthounds, wags when lying down are an infrequent occurrence. Breeds that enjoy being vocal, such as spaniels, tend to be more floor-thumping. My greyhound has his subtle little bursts of tail lift that are nothing compared to my beagle's wag! Know what's normal for your dog. If the way they wag their tail changes when they lie down, you need to pay attention.

Observe duration and triggers. Small, fast wags when you touch them are likely pleasure wags. In contrast, long wags when nobody's been with them for ages probably indicate anxiety, they've lost hope. They are waiting to know you remember they exist. My rescue dog would wag his tail for hours any time fireworks started booming and blaring, until we addressed his (panicked) phobia. Track when and why these occur - you may need to help out with anxious wags for your dog's own good.

Read the full article: Dog Tail Wagging Meaning: What Your Pup Is Saying