The Phenomenon Of Dogs' Wagging Tail

 Energy in this tail!

Churchill Graham

friendliness.  Another reason for tail-wagging is a behavior of submissive prelude, particularly to a superior member of the dog pack.friendliness

Watching and hearing Churchill Graham's tail-wagging against a wall, on the carpet flooring, on the bed, against furniture, and wherever he may be, fascinates me!  He wags his tail in response to overhearing conversations, when his name is mentioned;  a pleasantry about his adopted dog sister, Francesca Le Bon Bon;  or just seeing someone he cares for, and other daily excitement.  For Churchill Graham, tail-wagging is a "pounding" thud, thud, thud, thud, thud, thud, thud, against anything solid , with a natural forceful body wiggle  notably known about Labrador Retriever breeds.

Often I've asked myself,  "...why do dogs wag their tail?  Why does Churchill Graham wag his tail so rapidly ?
The popular tale, is that dogs wag their tail out of

However, I discovered the phenomenon of tail-wagging is due to the emotional condition dogs share.  This  being in a state of conflict.  When this state is experienced, the dog feels pulled in two directions at the same time.  It
wants to advance and retreat simultaneously.  Hence, a back-and-forth movement or pulling and pushing the dog forward, but at the same time is causing it to hold back.  The urge to flee is automatic because of immediate anxiety or fear.  The urge to stay, is more challenging for the dog.  So cross emotional energy is built-up within the physical body.  The inherent rhythmic movement of pulling and pushing the dog forward and backward, as well as causing the dog to hold back, is a state of "attraction in conflict"...this is why, dogs wag their tails!  But where is the conflict arising from?


The vibrations within the dogs' body is exercising so much energy, more energy than the body at the moment can accommodate, that wagging the tail is the body's physiological response for dissipating the excess energy.  
Now, when I watch Churchill Graham, I do observe not just the tail wagging, but I take note of his body moving with a definitive push and pull experience.  


This behavioral science seems like a confusing scrabbling of energized signals, but the pronounced feature of tail-wagging is a body language we all observe from our dogs daily, and now we know the reasons!

My name is Francesca Le Bon Bon, adopted sister of Churchill Graham.  Well, I wag my tail, BUT not like a drummer as
Churchill Graham.  I suppose because I'm a girl and am more fragile and delicate . . . sometimes!