Many people believe that dogs wag their tails when they are happy, but a new study by European scientists, suggests that there is a lot more nuance to pet behavior than meets the eye.
During their research, experts analyzed dozens of works on dog behavior, which allowed them to put forward two theories of why it evolved in this way. It is noted that the tails of many animals have practical functions, helping them move, maintain balance or swipe insects. But these examples contrast with the behavior of domestic dogs that use their tails primarily for communication.
For example, the experts noted that when the dogs are exposed to some kind of stimulation with positive emotions, such as meeting their owner, they wag their tails more to the right side. Meanwhile, when they are exposed to stimulation that causes rejection, such as when meeting a stranger or a more dominant kin, they wag their tails more to the left side. Scientists say dogs can recognize such nuances in other dogs and even tail-wagging robots.
