After all, if we study tail of a dog that did not suffer human maltreatment and abuse, there are three basic tail positions: horizontal to the ground, down and up high. In order to understand true perspective on dog's intentions or feelings, one must take in consideration the movement of the tail, eye, ear, head, mouth signals, body posture and movement of the dog.
1. Horizontal to the ground position may signify:
a) attentiveness without presence of a threat
b) high level of alertness, cautiousness
c) a start of a greeting ritual dance
2. Down position may signify:
a) nonchalance – set lower than horizontal but still away from the back legs with possibility of a casual wag
b) low-spirit – lowered, close to back legs that are still elongated, while the tail wags slowly in short strikes
c) insecurity – lowered and set next to back legs, but with lowered body, back legs are slightly set inwards
d) fear – tail is between back legs
3. Up high position may signify:
a) confidence – the tail is up high, nut not stiff
b) dominance – the tail is up high, stiff, sometimes even bristled