What your dog is trying to say - dog tail language

The most common misinterpretation of dogs is the myth that a dog wagging its tail is happy and friendly. Although it may be true in some cases, other wags move can mean fear, insecurity or even a warning that if you approach you can be bitten. You can say that, tail wagging serves the same communication functions as a human smile, greeting or a nod of recognition. Nods and smiles are social signals and are thus reserved mostly for situations where somebody is around to see them. For dogs, this same can be said about the wag.

When not wagging, dog tails may be in one of 3 positions: up high, horizontal to the ground or down/between hind legs

Let's check what this position means - first up high
Dog that his tail in the up high position, is confident, powerful, and secure.  In fact, this position indicates a dominant pooch with an alpha streak.  Alpha dogs are commanding, take charge creatures. Self-assured, the dominant, tail up dog communicates power and control via body language.

Horizontal to the ground position
Dogs with their tails held straight out in the horizontal to the ground position indicate neither clear dominance nor submission.  Their unrelaxed position indicates curiosity.

Down/between hind legs position
Just as up high position means dominance, the inverse position indicates the exact opposite emotion. With his tail in the down dog communicates an understanding of another’s dominant position and his submissive one.

So now when we explain what non-moving position of dog tail means, lets take a look at wagging tail position
In recent years, with increased observation of the link between action and right and left brain reactions, scientists have been able to isolate certain prevalent characteristics to help shed some light on this issue.

There are studies that demonstrated that lopsided tail wagging links to right or left brain relationships. Scientists involved in the studies determined that a right wag tail position indicates happiness and playfulness because the left brain controls the right side of the body as well as energy and engagement responses.  According to these scientists a left wag tail position indicates restlessness and insecurity.