Tail-Wag Direction Matters for Dogs

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LiveScience.com
By by Megan Gannon, News Editor October 31, 2013 2:14 PM

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For their study, a group of researchers recruited 43 pet dogs of various breeds. The animals were outfitted with a vest that monitored their heart rates, and they were shown videos of other dogs either wagging their tails to the left or to the right. [7 Surprising Health Benefits of Dog Ownership]

The pets that watched left-side tail wagging behaved more anxiously and their heart rate sped up, the researchers said, while the dogs that watched one of their peers wag their tail to the right stayed cool; they even began to approach the dog on the screen, suggesting they saw the right-side wagging as a signal of companionship, the researchers said. - But right-left tail wags may not be a form of secret dog language, the researchers say. They think the direction of tail wagging — and other dogs' responses to it — could arise from automatic responses rooted the different hemispheres of the canine brain.

"In other words, a dog looking to a dog wagging with a bias to the right side — and thus showing left-hemisphere activation as if it was experiencing some sort of positive/approach response — would also produce relaxed responses," Vallortigara said in a statement.

"In contrast, a dog looking to a dog wagging with a bias to the left — and thus showing right-hemisphere activation as if it was experiencing some sort of negative/withdrawal response — would also produce anxious and targeting responses as well as increased cardiac frequency," Vallortigara added. "That is amazing, I think."
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Here.

We are different species, but watching behavior can teach one a lot about communication...

I wonder if they will push further into this.

[Walk away]

1. This is pretty amazing stuff...

I remember twenty five year ago when I first read Turid Rugaas' work on dog body movement/behavior and how to communicate with dogs. Learning how to calm a dog with body and eye movements was something very special to me. Now, with technology, we may be able to fell how a dog truly feels and what he is trying so hard to tell us. I just love it.

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2. I think nearly any dog owner would benefit from learning about "Calming Signals". Here's

a youtube link -

I haven't had that DVD out in a while, but the little bit I watched of it looks pretty good, and there are others about the subject one can find with a search on that site.

Thanks for the reminder!

[Walk away]

3. An animal behaviorist buddy of mine turned me on to her when her first...

twelve page book changed dog training forever. My Dad loved German Shepards and he lovingly trained all of his dogs with my brother and I watching. He intuitively used many of her techniques and his dogs seemed to miraculously train themselves.

For many years I worked with and "retrained" aggressive large and giant breeds using that little book of hers combined with traditional dog training. The science of behavior modification and shaping has come a long way in those twenty five years. So many trainers are using scientifically sound techniques that are safe and highly effective for the dog, the trainer and the owner. Every book and video by Rugaas is pure gold for anyone who wants to to have a great relationship with a well behaved dog.

Can you tell I'm a fan?