Growling and Tail Wagging

jenny21 · 02-22-2010, 05:24 AM

Hello all,

We have a 10 year old collie cross called Murphy. He is lovely, and probably still thinks he is about 3 years old.
Recently he has started growling at the same time as wagging his tail, usually when he is tired, or I am leaving for work, although my partner is still here.
Is this seperation anxiety and some sort of dominance thing he is trying to exert?
Regards

**Criosphynx** · 02-22-2010, 10:53 AM

likely niether

can you get a video of it? It likely play or a protest to you leaving

**alfi** · 02-22-2010, 12:50 PM

Liza does something like that too...to make me play with her.

A video could definitely help

Mikey · 02-22-2010, 10:13 PM

Welcome!

Video would be great-sounds like play. What's your *GUT* feeling on this (ie. not trying to fit the behavior into something like seperation anxiety or dominance-how do you just think he feels?)

Tail wagging just indicates excitement-the myth that a dog who is wagging his tail is friendly is a myth. Dog will wag their tails when they are happy, but they will also wag it when hunting or when angry too!

bullseye · 02-24-2010, 03:17 AM

Dogs will wag their tail when angry? I don't think so, I think when they are angry their tails curl in, well that's what our dogs do. Or maybe again their expressions depend on the breed?

Sometimes dogs have their mood. Like when I am cooking, suddenly our dog would just get up and growl, then when I call him, he would just suddenly drop off and just look at me.

But still it will be nice to watch the video and see what is causing your dog that kind of reaction. If it is not frequent, maybe just a mood thing, if it is frequent, then it may be something else.

**alfi** · 02-24-2010, 03:35 AM

I don't know if that depends on the breed but for sure dogs can wag their tails when uncomfortable which you can consider as "angry" sign (it's a different wagging tho)

**Criosphynx** · 02-26-2010, 03:37 AM

Quote:

Dogs will wag their tail when angry?

a dog will wag its tail right before biting you, absolutely

espencer · 03-10-2010, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bullseye

Dogs will wag their tail when angry?

Yes they do

coldnoze54 · 03-15-2010, 12:40 AM

Just a suspicion, based on the age of the dog, and I'd have to say I would need to hear the growl...but to be on the safe side, take him to the vet and make sure he's not tring to tell you he's hurting. Of all my dogs, a two will growl as a way to communicate, but Creed growls when he's hurting.

Mischief · 03-15-2010, 02:51 AM

My only male, will growl and wag his tail when he is upset with another dogs behavior, for him, it seems to be a warning sign that he is not pleased with whatever it is they are doing and they need to "stop" but he will also wag his tail when he is happy or nervous/anxious as well.