Why do dogs wag their tails?
Dogs wag their tails to show how they feel, like talking without words.
Pip’s answer
- Dogs wag their tails to show how they feel, like talking without words.
- A big, wiggly wag often means, "Hooray, I'm happy to see you!"
- A slow, careful wag can mean the dog is thinking or feeling unsure.
- Wow-ee, buddy, dogs even wag a little more to the right when they're happy!
Try it together
Can you wiggle like a happy, waggy puppy?
For grown-ups
Dogs wag their tails to communicate. A loose, sweeping wag often means a happy, friendly dog, but tail position and speed matter: a stiff, high or fast twitching tail can signal excitement or tension. Research suggests dogs wag slightly more to the right when they feel positive.
Ask your child: How can we tell how a dog is feeling before we say hello?
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