tail wagging
Dog's joy signal
Tail wagging is the back-and-forth movement of a dog's tail, typically signaling excitement, happiness, or eagerness to engage.
The phrase extends to describe any enthusiastic or eager response: There was much tail wagging when the bonus checks arrived.
The expression the tail wagging the dog describes a situation where a minor element controls the major one—an inversion of proper order.
- playfulnessLighthearted, frisky spirit
- excitementState of eager enthusiasm
- submissionYielding to another's will
- communicationExchanging ideas or information
- greetingExpression of welcome
happy dog · dog park · instinct · loyalty · friendship · furry friend · happiness · good boy · puppy love · joy · leash · alertness · bonding · collar · dominance · fear · governance · eagerness
- animal signalsbody language, bird songs, mating calls, whale song, wolf howl
- dog parkdog park, off-leash area, fenced area, dog run, play area
- animal behaviorsswimming, running, walking, jumping, flying
- pet behaviorpurring, kneading, growling, hissing, barking
- sheep behaviorflocking, grazing, bleating, herding, following
- hound trainingrecall training, nose work, scenting, trailing, tracking
tail waggingtail between legs
Sign of humiliation
growling · hackles raised · snarling · baring teeth · cowering
tail waggingbarking
Canine vocal outburst
growling · whimpering · howling · yelping
tail waggingsulking
Silent, resentful withdrawal
withdrawal · indifference · disengagement · listlessness · apathy