body language question...

• body language question... RidgebackGermansShep Posted : 4/12/2007 10:32:41 PM Just curious...when Kaiser is barking at something outside, even though his hair is bristled and he's doing his "mean bark" he wags his tail. Does this have any particular significance? LIKE 6 REPLIES 147 VIEWS LAST POST REXANDBABY Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• Angelique Posted : 4/12/2007 11:23:44 PM A wagging tail which is elevated and wagging stiffly, is different from a relaxed, greeting wag or a purely happy wag where the whole butt moves in a swinging motion. Go by all of the other cues to his behavior, and then look to see if the tail is also communicating a tense, aroused, and/or apprehensive state by it's level and stiffness. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• Vanessa Posted : 4/12/2007 11:36:13 PM A wagging tail is a signal of willingness to interact but not necessarily in a friendly manner. But as Angelique stated, you can get a better idea of whats going on by looking at all of the signals he's giving.  0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• crystal1 Posted : 4/13/2007 2:41:06 AM A wagging tail can mean different things. It sometimes indicates friendliness in the dog but that's not always the case. Usually, when the dog holds it's tail high and wags it from side to side, it designates friendliness. However, angry dogs sometimes hold it's tail high too but just wag the tip of it's tail in a very quick manner. I guess it all depends and you be the best judge. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• spiritdogs Posted : 4/13/2007 6:50:53 AM Tail wagging, unless he is wagging very stiffly, could just mean willingness to interact.  The piloerection is not always indicative of unfriendliness, but is a sign of arousal (often, arousal means they want to play, but are nervous - depending on the reaction of the other dog, things can escalate into a tiff or just continue into play behavior).  The barking could be either fear or frustration, from what you describe.  Sounds from your description like an ambivalent dog who isn't very sure of himself in the situation.   0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• Grace Stover Posted : 4/13/2007 11:11:27 AM yeah, my dog's tails just naturally wag, in any circumstance. even when growling. i think my dogs were a mix of 'i wanna sniff your butt' and 'this is my human-- don't touch' [] 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• rexandbaby Posted : 4/13/2007 11:57:48 AM It just seems to be a normal reaction in all dogs that are focused on something.  The different intensitys and height of the tail can tell you the real story. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login