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Why does a dog wag their tail and why is it called wagging2007-11-25 2:55:30Answers:

The tail is an extension of the spinal cord which is a bundle of nerves which transmit impulses directly from the brain to all parts of the body.

The movement of a dog's tail is not consciously controlled by the dog - it is a reflex action produced by emotional activity in the dog's brain and travelling down the spinal cord to the tail.

If the dog is scared, the tail tucks down. If the dog is angry the tail bristles and is held high. The tail can also lash from side to side when the dog is particularly aggressive.

A dog's tail will wag when it is feeling happy or excited and it can also wag in a different way when it is worried.

All of these tail movements are readily understood by other dogs so they can tell what another dog is like by its tail movements (as well as other body language).

'Wagging' is just a word to describe the rapid movement from side to side - it is from an Old English word 'wagian' which means 'to sway'.

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Humans mistakenly see dogs as wagging their tails as a sign of happiness and affection, but it's actually a sign of submission.

I have no idea why it is called wagging...maybe because WAGS are dogs?

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It is a sign of wanting to make freindship

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Tails are an important part of a dog's body language in the way it interacts with other dogs. The way the tail is held, even the type of wag all convey different messages.