A group of scientists has undertaken in-depth research to identify the crucial points from which to start to understand the reason for dogs’ wagging tails.
A new study, published in The Royal Society Publishinghas summarized over 100 scientific articles dedicated to the phenomenon of dogs wagging their tails, analyzing mechanical, ontogenetic, functional and evolutionary aspects. The main objective was to identify a starting point for future research and to improve the empirical understanding of these four-legged friends. One of the main interpretations suggests that tail wagging reflects one state of happiness and well-being in the dog. However, the authors of the research point out that this idea is not universally accepted in the scientific world. There is no clear correlation between cortisol levels,stress hormone, and this behavior, which appears rather to be a positive response to human interactions. Other scholars suggest that dogs wag their tails when they think they are facing a conflict situation. The difference between a friendly tail wag and a threatening one would be in the amplitude and the frequency of movements per minute. However, quantification of this theory is still lacking despite acceptance by veterinarians.
The reason why dogs wag their tails
Scholars agree that dogs wag their tails for communication, a behavior shared with other canids such as wolves. The position of the tail, as a sign of submission or dominance, is a characteristic that is also found in nature. Interestingly, this behavior appears to have been enhanced by humans through the domestication process. The key to solving the mystery of tail wagging may lie in the origins of this behavior. There are two possible explanations: it could be a trait selected during the domestication process, or it could have resulted from man’s attraction to symmetrical rhythmic movements.
However, the mystery of the tail wagging also persists neurological level. It is not known for certain which region of the brain controls this movement, whether it occurs automatically or whether it can be consciously regulated. The study concludes with recommendations for future researchers, suggesting they consider tail wagging in dogs as a multidimensional behavior. Integrated approaches that combine behavioral observations with detailed physiological measurements should be used.
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