When dogs tuck their tails, it can indicate existing fears, stress or submissive behavior. In individual cases it also serves self-protection or is even caused by a water rod or other pain.
Just like humans, dogs also use their bodies to communicate. The position of the ears and tail is particularly important here:
- Joy = tail up and wagging
- Alert = tail up and quiet
- Happy = tail horizontal and wagging
- Unsafe = tail slightly below horizontal [1]
However, some dogs can only steer their tails to a limited extent for anatomical reasons. For example, in many Spitz species, the tail constantly points upwards.
In other breeds, the tail is simply too short to be between the legs. It is therefore still important to pay attention to other symptoms.
Below you will learn about the 6 most common causes of a tucked tail in dogs.
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#1 Fear
In 4 out of 5 cases, fear, anxiety or a lack of self-confidence are responsible for the low tail posture. Even if it often seems otherwise, dogs are very sensitive.
This is especially true for lap dog breeds and young dogs. The most common triggers include:
- loneliness
- Strangers
- storm
- Existing traumas
- Strange dogs
- Lack of socialization
- Loud noises [2]
Here dogs not only hold their tails down, but also often start to shake. A stooped and short posture is also typical here. Other symptoms include:
- Dog is hiding
- Avoiding eye contact
- Dog keeps muzzle low
- Ears laid back
- Restless behavior
- Dog goes into the apartment [3]
Two measures have proven successful in practice. The first step is to identify any triggers and then gradually get the dog used to the “threat”.
Secondly, it also helps to specifically strengthen the dog's self-confidence through positive feedback. More physical activity can also help here.
Fearful dogs often tuck their tails when they sense a threat. In most cases, fear is also accompanied by other visible symptoms such as trembling and a low muzzle. This is often due to a lack of socialization at a young age.
#2 Self-protection
When dogs have their tails between their legs while eating or sleeping, this is an instinctive protective mechanism they inherited from wolves.
In this way they protect their genitals and their abdominal cavity from possible attacks by foreign predators. In addition to bears and other four-legged friends, this is also intended to protect against snakes and spiders.
What many people forget is that dogs have only been sleeping in the safety of their homes for several decades. In many parts of the world they still sleep outside today.
This is also the reason why their sleep cycle is significantly shorter than ours. Waking up regularly allows them to scan their surroundings for danger. [4]
For female dogs during their period, the tucked tail also serves as protection against unwanted mating with another dog. Typical symptoms here are:
- Swollen genitals
- Drops of blood on the floor
- Excessive licking in the genital area
- Restless walking around
- Frequent urination
- Sudden aggressiveness [5]
Depending on the breed and health, female dogs have periods every 3-12 months. In most cases it lasts around 18-21 days. But that varies from person to person.
When dogs tuck their tails while sleeping, eating or during their period, this is for their own protection. Dogs inherited this instinctive behavior from wolves and are still prone to it even in the safest of environments. There is no reason to worry here.
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#3 Water rod
If dogs no longer lift their tail and it constantly looks down, this can indicate a so-called “water tail”.
It is usually triggered by a long stay in cold water or cold temperatures. Water dogs such as retrievers and setters are particularly affected here.
Essentially, this is an overload of the muscles in the tail. Because these usually serve as rudders when swimming. Typical symptoms are:
- No wagging of the tail
- Touch sensitivity
- Constant licking on the rod
- The first 3-10 cm of the rod are very stiff
- Whining and whining
- Raised hair on the lower back
- Listless behavior [6]
For diagnosis, the vet usually carries out an ultrasound examination to rule out sprains, back problems and a broken tail.
Fortunately, a water rod heals itself. To speed up the healing process, anti-inflammatory medications are usually used. [7]
Depending on the severity, warm compresses, physiotherapy, conscious physical rest and painkillers can also bring about improvement.
When dogs spend a lot of time in cold water, the muscles in their lower back and tail can become overloaded. In affected dogs, the tail is always tucked in or hangs down unusually. The vet should be consulted here.
#4 Submissive behavior
By nature, dogs always form hierarchies. At the top is the Alpha, followed by Betas, Deltas and at the bottom are the Omegas.
With good upbringing you should be the alpha. One way you can tell is that your dog obeys you better than anyone else.
If they consider you to be of higher rank, then they will show this through, among other things, submissive behavior. A tucked tail is one of the most common symptoms here.
In very shy dogs, it can also be a sign of low self-confidence. You often see this with street dogs, for example. [8]
Sometimes this behavior also serves as an excuse. For example, if your dog has messed up something and is aware of it:
- Basket gnawed
- Shoes torn
- Peed in the house
- Flower vase overturned
- Toilet paper roll shredded
- Vomited in the house
- Food stolen from the table [9]
Here he has turned his tail back to elicit sympathy and reduce the punishment. You can usually tell when the dog avoids any eye contact during this time.
When dogs hang their tails down and avoid eye contact, it can be a sign of submissiveness. Dogs especially show this behavior when they have low self-confidence, recognize their master as alpha or have done something wrong.
#5 Pain
Dogs have inherited the trait from wolves that they only show pain outwardly in emergencies. This is a natural protective mechanism.
In the wild, weakened animals usually become targets of stronger predators. Or to put it another way: Dogs instinctively often suffer in silence.
However, once they reach a certain level of pain tolerance, they can no longer hide their pain. The following signs may indicate this:
- Stooped posture
- Physical restlessness
- activity at night
- Constant beeping
- Retracted tail
- Dog is hiding
- Slight limp
- Yelling and whining [10]
In many cases, stomach and intestinal problems are responsible. Because their digestive system is much more primitive and vulnerable than ours.
But poisoning, problems with the musculoskeletal system, arthritis or allergic reactions can also be behind it. If you suspect anything, I recommend visiting the vet. [11]
Dogs instinctively try to hide existing pain. However, if these become too large, their symptoms can also manifest themselves, among other things, in a tail hanging between the legs. In addition, other symptoms are usually recognizable.
#6 Stress
Just like with people, severe stress can manifest itself physically in dogs. Typical triggers for this are:
- presence of strangers
- Violence in education
- Visit to the vet
- Favorite toy is missing
- Absence of the master
- Unwanted bathing
- Dogs in the neighborhood
- Noisy streets [12]
Here too, a tucked tail is just one of many signs. Heavy panting in particular can indicate a high level of stress. Other symptoms include:
- Restless walking around
- Hair loss
- Constant yawning
- Nocturnal activity
- Slight trembling
- Frequent licking [13]
The higher the level of stress hormones, the further the dog holds its tail down. In addition to the above triggers, hormonal disorders can also be responsible.
The first step here is to find out the trigger for the stress and then avoid it. Prevention is better than treatment here.
When dogs are under a lot of stress, they often tuck in their tails. In most cases, the presence of strangers or dogs is responsible for this. Here the stress factors should be proactively reduced or eliminated by the owner.
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