--- title: "A dog's tail: the meanings behind its movements" description: "A dog's tail: the meanings behind its movements" image: https://blog.almonature.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/coda1140-5.jpg --- [![almonature-logo-4](https://blog.almonature.com/hubfs/almonature-logo-4.svg) ](https://www.almonature.com/en/?hsLang=en-gb) ![EN](https://blog.almonature.com/hubfs/country_flags/gb.svg) [![almonature-logo-4](https://blog.almonature.com/hubfs/almonature-logo-4.svg) ](https://www.almonature.com/en/?hsLang=en-gb) - Products - [Companion for Life](https://www.almonature.com/it/companion-for-life?hsLang=en-gb) - Call for Projects - About us - [Where to buy](https://www.almonature.com/it/trova-un-negozio?hsLang=en-gb) Products - Cat Food - Dog Food - Cat Litter Cat Food - [All Cat Food](https://www.almonature.com/it/prodotti-per-gatti?hsLang=en-gb) - [Functional](https://www.almonature.com/it/alimenti-funzionali?hsLang=en-gb) - [Kibble](https://www.almonature.com/it/gatto-crocchette?hsLang=en-gb) - [Wet food](https://www.almonature.com/it/gatto-umido?hsLang=en-gb) - [Snack](https://www.almonature.com/it/gatto-snack?hsLang=en-gb) [![bio-diversity-menu-icon](https://blog.almonature.com/hubfs/bio-diversity-menu-icon.png) Impact on biodiversity ](https://www.almonature.com/it/impatto-sulla-biodiversit%C3%A0?hsLang=en-gb) [![nutritional-advice-menu-icon](https://blog.almonature.com/hubfs/nutritional-advice-menu-icon.png) Cat nutrition advice ](https://www.almonature.com/it/consiglio-nutrizionale-gatto?hsLang=en-gb) Dog Food - [All Dog Food](https://www.almonature.com/it/prodotti-per-cani?hsLang=en-gb) - [Kibble](https://www.almonature.com/it/cane-crocchette?hsLang=en-gb) - [Wet food](https://www.almonature.com/it/cane-umido?hsLang=en-gb) - [Snack](https://www.almonature.com/it/cane-snack?hsLang=en-gb) [![bio-diversity-menu-icon](https://blog.almonature.com/hubfs/bio-diversity-menu-icon.png) Impact on biodiversity ](https://www.almonature.com/it/impatto-sulla-biodiversit%C3%A0?hsLang=en-gb) [![nutritional-advice-menu-icon](https://blog.almonature.com/hubfs/nutritional-advice-menu-icon.png) Dog nutrition advice ](https://www.almonature.com/it/consiglio-nutrizionale-cane?hsLang=en-gb) Cat Litter - [All Litter](https://www.almonature.com/it/lettiere?hsLang=en-gb) - [Soft Texture](https://www.almonature.com/it/catlitter-soft-texture?hsLang=en-gb) - [Grain Texture](https://www.almonature.com/it/catlitter-grain-texture?hsLang=en-gb) Call for Projects - [Home Page](https://www.almonature.com/it/re-community?hsLang=en-gb) - [Participating projects](https://www.almonature.com/it/companion-for-life/projects?hsLang=en-gb) - [International commission](https://www.almonature.com/it/companion-for-life/re-community-giuria?hsLang=en-gb) - [FAQs](https://www.almonature.com/it/companion-for-life/faqs-domande-frequenti?hsLang=en-gb) - [Download the call for projects](https://blog.almonature.com/hubfs/re-community-projects/UK-Companion-for-Life-Call-for-Project-Annex-1-and-2.pdf?hsLang=en-gb) About us - [Brand Profile](https://www.almonature.com/it/manifesto?hsLang=en-gb) - [Our history](https://www.almonature.com/it/la-storia?hsLang=en-gb) - [The company](https://www.almonature.com/it/rendicontazione?hsLang=en-gb) - [Reintegration Economy](https://www.almonature.com/it/reintegration-economy?hsLang=en-gb) ![A dog's tail: the meanings behind its movements](https://blog.almonature.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/coda1140-5.jpg) A dog's tail is an effective means of communication. Used on its own or together with a particular posture or movement, it helps the dog to express its intentions and feelings [just like cats](https://www.almonature.com/en/reads/the-tail-of-the-cat-and-its-movements-how-to-decipher-the-important-signals/?hsLang=en-gb). **Dr Maria Grazia Calore**, veterinary doctor and expert in pet behaviour, helps us to discover the meanings behind our dog's tail movements. ### **A dog's tail posture** - **Tail held high and straight like an antenna**: the dog is confident and has a positive attitude. If you notice a stiff, directional movement, with a small push forward of its whole body, the dog is "warning" whoever or whatever is in front of it that it is ready to face-off.- **Relaxed tail**: the dog is quiet, its mood is calm and balanced. It is open to contact from others.- **Tail tucked under**: the dog is scared and unsure of the current situation so adopts a passive attitude. It will probably avoid any type of confrontation unless forced in to it.  ### **A dog's tail: let's observe its movements** - **Tail held high with slow movements**: the dog is probably nervous and feeling confused.- **Wagging tail with large and fast movements**: the dog is happy – it invariably displays this behaviour [when its owner returns home](https://www.almonature.com/en/reads/why-are-dogs-always-happy-to-see-us/?hsLang=en-gb).- **Tail up, in-line with the rest of the body, absence of a simultaneous movement of the pelvis**: tension is very high, if forced in to contact at this moment, the dog could either try to escape or attack.- **Tail held low between the legs, possibly wagging**: emotional tension is high, the dog could growl or try to bite if confronted!Have you seen any of these posture and habitual movements in your four-legged friend? Before arriving at a conclusion however, we should take into account **the differences between breeds and physical conformation**: for example, the Siberian husky naturally holds its tail high, while other dogs, even if it's a generally prohibited practice, are deprived of a tail. Moreover, in some cases the tail can express disturbance or discomfort: for example, if our dog chases its tail it could have a problem relating to insufficient physical and mental activity or an organic disease, so it will be best to consult the veterinarian in the event your pup is displaying this behaviour. #### Related Articles [![Dog taken away from homeless man in France: a story that makes you think](https://blog.almonature.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/caneanimalisti-4.jpg) ](https://blog.almonature.com/en-gb/dog-taken-away-from-homeless-man-in-france-a-story-that-makes-you-think?hsLang=en-gb) Companion For Life, [Project stories](https://blog.almonature.com/en-gb/tag/project-stories) November 26,2015 ###### [Dog taken away from homeless man in France: a story that makes you think](https://blog.almonature.com/en-gb/dog-taken-away-from-homeless-man-in-france-a-story-that-makes-you-think?hsLang=en-gb) The story of a dog stolen from a homeless man in Paris by animal rights activists from the association  **Cause Animale Nord** has gone global. 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