Questions tagged [arousal]
What does a rapid, wide tail wag usually signify?
Category: Tail Wagging
A rapid, wide tail wag in dogs is often a sign of excitement, happiness, or high arousal. This type of wagging is typically associated with positive emotions, but it can also indicate overstimulation or even nervousness depending on the context and the dog's overall body language. Understanding the ...
What does a stiff, upright tail indicate in a dog?
Category: Communication and Body Language
A stiff, upright tail in a dog is a significant body language signal that can convey various emotions and intentions. Understanding this behavior requires a combination of observation, context, and knowledge of canine communication. Below is a detailed explanation of what a stiff, upright tail might...
What does it mean when a dog’s tail is wagging but its body is stiff?
Category: Communication and Body Language
When a dog’s tail is wagging but its body is stiff, it is a nuanced form of canine communication that requires careful interpretation. While tail wagging is often associated with happiness or friendliness, the context of the dog’s body language is crucial to understanding its true emotional stat...
What does a dog’s rapid tail wagging indicate?
Category: Communication
A dog’s rapid tail wagging is a form of communication that can convey a range of emotions and intentions. While many people assume that a wagging tail always means a dog is happy, the reality is more nuanced. The speed, direction, and position of the tail wag, along with the dog’s overall body l...
What does it mean when a dog’s tail is held high?
Category: Communication
When a dog’s tail is held high, it typically indicates a heightened state of arousal or alertness. This posture can convey a range of emotions, from confidence and excitement to dominance or even aggression, depending on the context and other body language signals the dog is displaying. Understand...
What does it mean when a dog’s tail is wagging in a stiff, straight line?
Category: Communication
When a dog’s tail is wagging in a stiff, straight line, it is often a sign of heightened arousal or tension. This type of tail wagging is different from the loose, relaxed wagging that typically indicates happiness or friendliness. A stiff, straight tail wag can signal that the dog is feeling aler...
What are the best ways to handle a mixed-breed dog's overexcitement?
Category: Mixed Breeds
Handling a mixed-breed dog's overexcitement requires a combination of understanding the underlying causes, implementing effective training techniques, and creating a structured environment. Overexcitement in dogs, often referred to as hyperarousal, can manifest as excessive barking, jumping, pulling...
What are the signs of redirected aggression in dogs?
Category: Behavioral Issues
Redirected aggression in dogs occurs when a dog is unable to direct its aggression toward the source of its frustration or arousal and instead turns its aggression toward another target, such as a person, another animal, or even an object. This behavior is often sudden and can be dangerous, as it ma...
What does a high, fast tail wag typically signify in dogs?
Category: Tail Wagging
A high, fast tail wag in dogs is a common behavior that can signify a range of emotions and intentions. While many people associate tail wagging with happiness or friendliness, the reality is more nuanced. The position, speed, and context of the wag are critical to understanding what a dog is trying...
Why do some dogs raise their hackles, and what does it indicate?
Category: Communication and Body Language
Dogs raising their hackles, also known as piloerection, is a common but often misunderstood behavior. This phenomenon occurs when the muscles at the base of a dog's hair follicles contract, causing the fur along the back, neck, and sometimes the tail to stand up. While it is often associated with ag...