Why Does My Dog Bark and Wag Their Tail?

One of the most widespread beliefs about canine behaviour is that a dog only wags their tail when happy. This idea is so deeply rooted that it can often lead us astray, since although they do wag their tail out of happiness, they also do it in other circumstances.

So why does my dog bark and wag their tail at the same time? How can you tell if they're happy or on edge? Read on to find out.

What Are the Reasons a Dog Wags Their Tail?

There are several reasons that can lead a dog to wag their tail. Sometimes it's nothing more than an instinctive act, but it can also tell us about a mood. The main reasons behind this movement are:

A Natural Need

One of the tail's physiological functions is providing balance. That's why it's normal to see a dog wag it while walking along uneven paths or before jumping. During heat, they also tend to wag it to grab the attention of potential mates.

But that's not all: dogs also wag their tail to spread the scents released by their anal glands. Scent is the main means of communication they have between each other, since that's how they recognise one another and detect whether a territory is marked or not.

When Nursing as Puppies

The first times a dog wags their tail is while nursing from their mother. This behaviour appears from around 6 weeks old, when they start developing their social skills. In short, tail wagging is part of their first efforts to interact with other dogs.

If They Want to Communicate With Other Species

As they grow, puppies will stop using their tail to interact with other dogs and will prioritise communicating through their sense of smell instead. Even so, they'll keep this way of conveying their needs to other species, such as humans or cats.

Experiments have been carried out that conclude dogs don't wag their tail when alone, only when near a person. It's understandable that, after sharing their lives with humans for centuries, they've developed a way of understanding us.

To Express Their Emotions

They also use tail movement to express how they feel. This function sits halfway between communication and a reflex action. On one hand it lets people know their mood; on the other, it's an instinctive mechanism of the species.

Why Do They Growl or Bark While Wagging Their Tail?

A dog wagging their tail and barking loudly may not be happy. Most likely they're in a state of alert. They might be angry, or feel overwhelmed by some situation. In these cases you should pay attention to the rest of their body language to get an idea of their mood.

Watch whether their body is tense, whether their ears are pricked up or pulled back, and whether their pupils are dilated. All these signs point to a stressed or on-edge dog, so it's a mistake to think they're wagging their tail out of joy. It's best to give them space to calm down.

Can You Tell Their Mood From the Type of Tail Movement?

Although every dog and every breed has their own habits and particular ways of wagging their tail, there are common patterns that tell us about the dog's mood and can be very useful for spotting whether they're on edge or not.

• If the movement is wide and fast, they're most likely in a good mood from seeing you or from something they like.
• When the movement is loose and gentle, it reflects insecurity. In this situation the dog will be watching to see what happens, without showing outright aggression. It's best to stay calm and avoid sudden movements that could stress them.
• If the tail shows a fast, short movement and is semi-rigid or rigid, we're dealing with a nervous dog who could turn aggressive. In these cases you'll likely notice other signs too, such as baring their teeth or having their ears pulled back. This is a dog in the red zone, and you should take extra precautions.

Now that you know it's not always happiness causing a dog to wag their tail, you'll be far better prepared to recognise their needs and act accordingly. After all, mutual understanding is essential for a healthy, rewarding relationship between dogs and humans.