for a number of reasons

While often associated with happiness, dogs may wag their tails for a number of reasons.

happiness

Although there are many reasons why a dog wags a dog's tail, happiness is one of the most clear and known to us.

encouragement

Dogs wag their tails as a sign of friendly greeting or encouragement.

to the right

Last year, an Italian study suggested that when dogs wag their tails from right to left, dogs signifies happiness.

for numerous reasons, including when they’re feeling aggressive

Dogs wag their tails for numerous reasons, including when they’re feeling aggressive.

anticipation of social interaction

“Dogs wag their tails as a sign of happiness and anticipation of social interaction.

due to excitement and happiness

Dogs wag their tail due to excitement and happiness.

to the right to the left

Dogs wag their tails to the right when they see something they want to approach, and to the left when confronted with something they want to back away from, say researchers in Italy.

an indication of joy or excitement

For years, folklore has relayed that a dog’s wagging tail is an indication of joy or excitement, whilst in cats cats can be a sign or wariness or distress - emotional states which any pet owner will attest to.

anything that gets them excited

It could be that they’ve seen a squirrel or a new visitor has arrived at the house – anything that gets them excited can be the reason behind why do dogs wag their tails.

in happiness

Some dogs wag their tails in happiness when they hear someone is at the door of the house.

to the right to show happiness to the left

big dogs turns out that dogs wag their tails to the right to show happiness, and to the left when they’re afraid.

as a sign of excitement

Dogs wag their tails as a sign of excitement.