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Wagging Tail = AROUSAL (and happiness, and conflict, and…) Video Assessment
Wagging tails can mean so many things. Did you catch yesterday’s post HERE where @stomper16 Brenda and @RADS Radhika zeroed in on key body language signals that confirm a conflicted dog (approach/retreat conflict – not happiness!) while wagging with high arousal?
How about the wagging golden retriever in this video? He’s having a blast, right? What do you see?
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8 Replies
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G. Retriever:
Loose body, frequent play bows, tail wagging wide and noticed how it is not stiff at the base. Tail held low to medium height, loose wags almost going in circles.
Not able to see the front face, but I bet he would be having soft eyes and loose open mouth. Haha
He is in full play mode and trying his best to engage the other dog. But the other dog seems disinterested.
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@RADS you saw so many good things. He does appear to be doing his very best to engage the smaller dog in play. The time we see the smaller dog is more brief, but did anyone notice anything about his body language?
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I agree! NIce job, @RADS and @AmyMc – that’s exactly where I was going, next! I always think, no matter how much fun one dog might be having, it’s critical to look at the effect on the other dog. Their opinion matters. What’s this little Coton feeling about the big golden? Let’s take a look and comment with your observations, everyone!
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The Coton’s ears and lips both appear to be pulled back, which tells me she’s feeling a bit stressed out. I notice the white dog is also sitting. It could be because she’s cornered and doesn’t have a lot of room, but could it also be a calming signal to try to get the Golden to calm down? The second the Coton notices an out, it seems that she takes it and runs. I don’t think she was enjoying the interaction nearly as much as the Golden.
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@Marcybel I think you are precisely right! And you called her a Coton because I did – I know the family that sent me this video, but on looking again, that’s a little Westie who was visiting! Sorry to miff up the breed recognition on that one! I think your interpretation was spot -on!! She wanted out of there!
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That’s ok @Catherine ! It’s a good lesson for me in breed recognition cuz it prompted me to look up the differences between a Westie and a Coton – now it’s in my brain forever! ????
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Well, that’s good! They are very different little white dogs! I am glad it ended up being helpful, Amy! @Marcybel
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@Marcybel great observations. I watched it several times in a row and at one point as the golden gets closer, I thought maybe the westie offered a paw lift also. So many good things to pick up on. Body language is so fascinating!!
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