Dog not wagging tail - aibu

[MyKingdomForACaramel]

Ok so I am posting here for traffic but.. my dog doesn’t wag his tail with other dogs. He’s always keen to say hello and very friendly - but doesn’t wag his tail at other dogs - and think sometimes other dog owners look wary as, because tail isn’t wagging he seems like he’s not going to be friendly. Aibu to ask would you be wary of a non waggy tailed dog (and if anyone has a clue as to why he doesn’t wag his tail - that would be amazing). He’s a friendly, happy little dog - but this bothers me more than it should!

[MrsJayy]

Not wagging is neutral isn't it so basically your dog is a bit meh about other dogs I wouldn't be too concerned as long as the tail isn't down your dog is probably fine. My dog is aloof so a tail wag is an honour for other dogs.

[MyKingdomForACaramel]

Thanks so much! Funny enough he’s not all all aloof (though my previous dog was - and she was still a tail wagger).

[ScreamingValenta]

A serious question - did he grow up with cats? He might have learned not to wag it if so, because cats see tail waving as a sign of hostility.

[Climbingahoneytree]

If it's tucked between his legs or held stiff in an upright way, I'd call my own dog away.
If it's just loosely hanging there then I wouldn't be worried about letting my dog say hello.

[Climbingahoneytree]

In my experience some other owners focus so much on a tail wag and miss other things so I wouldn't worry too much...I've seen owners let their dogs approach other dogs, who immediately stiffen, hold their tails up stiff with a fast wag, but people see the wag and think it's all good. I actually read that as the dog being really uncertain.

[Villanellesproudmum]

I wouldn’t think anything of it is either my dog didn’t wag her tail or a passing dog didn’t. My dog sits down when she sees a dog and refuses to move until they pass, no matter how far away they are, now that’s embarrassing! Usually results in jokey comments or people walking twice their speed because they feel under pressure by her protest sit.

[Furrydogmum]

My dog (one of) doesn't have a typical reaction to other dogs.. Sometimes sits down, sometimes tail between legs, sometimes wags before lunging. Basically hates other dogs. I try to avoid other dogs as far as possible because no matter what she does other owners say "oh, he just wants to say hello", my "she just wants to rip his head off" causes so much unnecessary alarm..

[SpringIsSprung1]

What breed of dog is he? Some breeds are non waggers

[Wolfiefan]

Mine doesn’t wag. Even worse she has a habit of “stalking” up to new dogs. She is actually really friendly but knows it’s rude to bounce on unknown dogs so she tries to keep her excitement comtained and ends up doing the stupid stalking thing.

[Floralnomad]

I wouldn’t worry , my dogs tail wags constantly when we are out and he is fairly antisocial . He wags his tail at cats as well and he wants to eat them .

[TooOldForThisWhoCares]

I have a non-wagger. She can be a bit stalky too, Wolfiefan, and it's also excitement. She sometimes also has a stiff tail but is not and never has been aggressive or reactive!?

[Wolfiefan]

Thankfully most dogs seem better at reading madam’s weird body language than their owners. She’s a dozy one!!
Floral mine lives with two terrible torties. She knows cats are spiky and not safe to approach. Let alone try and eat.

[Doggydoggydoggy]

A wagging tail does not equal happy.

You have to look at whole picture.

Is the tail high up?
Level with the back?
Low and Tucked?
Tense or relaxed?
Slow wags or fast wags?
Broad wags or teeny fast little wags?

Never just rely on the wag.

[Floralnomad]

wolfie , spiky cats are still edible according to my terrier , next doors dog savvy cat tried to stand up to him in our garden one day and considered himself fortunate that I got out there in time , floraldog thinks the ones that fight back taste better !

[Wolfiefan]

Haha. I’m pretty sure the spikiest one has a poisonous centre.

[Tunnocks34]

To be honest I don’t judge dogs at all.

We have a very cute looking dog, who walks with a wagging tail. She is always kept on the lead because she is completely unpredictable around other dogs.

She was hand raised from being newborn, she doesn’t have any clue how to act around other dogs and her behaviour can range from enjoying their company and wagging her tail, to lying on her back with her tail between her legs, hiding behind me and growling, to trying to bite them in the neck, although this has only happened once, 4 years ago, and not since she was neutered.

She still attends socialisation classes, and is keep on a short lead. Never let off except for when we use the local walking field (we rent it for her weekly so she can run round with freedom).

[MyKingdomForACaramel]

Thanks so much! He is a shih tzu crossed with a Maltese. Really does like other dogs and very friendly - just not a tail wagger.

[AvocadosBeforeMortgages]

Mine has never been much of a tail wagger - I think it's because he has a curly tail and it's more effort! Some dogs seem to have tails that almost wag by default. He does, however, love other dogs and always wants to say hello unless I tell him not to.

On the other hand when he sees his trigger, which he hates, his tail will wag stiffly and quickly while he growls and barks at it.