This Shelter Dog’s Tail Never Stops Wagging—Yet People Walk By as if He’s Invisible
The friendliest dogs at the shelter are usually the first to find loving, forever homes, but sometimes that’s not the case. Tank, a 3-year-old Bully mix with an ever-wagging tail, greets everyone—dogs and people alike—with pure joy. Despite his gentle temperament, this lovable pup is still waiting for a family, with little adoption interest so far. (Watch Video Below)
The way Tank enjoys meeting people, it’s evident he needs a home where he can share his love and be cherished in return. Unfortunately, he has to spend his days in a kennel at Solano County Animal Care in Fairfield, California.
No Interest For The Large Black Dog
The staff at Hearts For Paws Rescue believes Tank’s appearance is the major reason he is overlooked by adopters. As a large, black bully-breed dog, Tank faces both breed stigma and “black dog syndrome. Dogs like him often waste away in shelters with little hope of finding forever homes.
Thus, Tank’s playfulness and sweet nature get overshadowed by the way he looks. This is why the California-based rescue shared the dog’s story on TikTok so that more and more people can see past the stigma and appreciate the dog underneath whose tail rarely ever stops wagging.
@heartsforpawsrescue_ca Adopt or Foster TANK 💓 great with strangers 💗 shows pro social behaviors towards dogs at the shelter 📍 fairfield ca – solano county animal shelter Contact @solano animal care ♬ You’re Gonna Go Far – Noah Kahan
Can You Give Tank The Love He Deserves?
Tank is known as the wiggliest dog at the shelter because of his reaction of wagging his tail and wiggling his hips whenever he gets a chance to meet someone. However, this high energy might not be suited for some homes.
A large dog like Tank can unintentionally knock down elderly people and small children due to his eagerness to meet new people and shower them with love. Additionally, even though he is dog-friendly, his extreme excitement might not sit well with some dogs. So, if you have a dog at home, the rescue staff recommends slowly introducing them to each other.
If you’ve gotten to know Tank and believe this wonderful neutered dog could be your perfect companion, consider welcoming him into your home to give him the love he clearly craves. You can apply for a foster or foster-to-adopt program through Hearts For Paws Rescue.
Why Do Dogs Wag Their Tails?
Tank constantly wagging his tail might have raised some questions in your mind about whether a wagging tail always means friendliness. Let’s find out what dog experts have to say.
Veterinarian Brittany Grenus, states, “One of the biggest misconceptions about dogs is that a wagging tail means the dog is friendly. While it certainly can mean this, there are a multitude of reasons dogs wag their tails.”
A wagging tail is a dog’s fundamental way of reacting to its surroundings and expressing their emotions. However, it’s crucial to understand that a wagging tail doesn’t necessarily mean the dog is friendly or eager to interact.
Dogs can experience a wide range of emotions, and sometimes these feelings can even conflict. To accurately gauge a dog’s intentions, consider the entire context, including other behavioral cues. When interpreting a dog’s tail wag, look beyond the tail itself and consider the dog’s overall body language.
Why Do Dogs Wag Their Tails When They Are Happy?
You may be wondering why do dogs wag their tails when they’re happy. As mentioned earlier, our furry friends tend to convey what they are feeling through tail movement and happiness is simply one of those feelings. But what is a happy wag?
When your dog is feeling happy or friendly, their tail gives away their emotions. Look for these telltale signs:
- A neutral tail position, level with the ground
- A slight tilt up or down
- A moderate wagging pace
- A relaxed, loose swing
- Wide, sweeping motions from side to side
- Even a playful “circle wag” or “helicopter tail” – a joyful circular motion
These tail cues signal that your dog is feeling calm, content, and ready to connect. Dr. Grenus explains, “The more excited a dog is, the faster their tail typically wags. When dogs are excited and friendly, they will sometimes also wag their hips or even their whole body, from their shoulders down to their tail.”
Why Do Dogs Wag Their Tails In Their Sleep?
A Reddit user, u/looper1010, shares, “It absolutely warmed my heart to see him [my dog] wag his tail while sleeping!!! It’s been almost a year now and it’s my first time seeing it. I had no idea dogs could do that!” This raises the question of why do some dogs wag their tails when sleeping.
According to BBC Science Focus Magazine, Dogs, just like humans, experience two distinct phases of sleep: Rapid Eye Movement (REM) and non-REM sleep. During REM sleep, dogs likely have their most vivid dreams, much like we do.
Research suggests that dogs dream about their loved ones — and that probably means you! Their dreams are thought to be composed of fragmented memories from their waking life.
These nighttime adventures likely replay joyful moments, such as car rides, walks, dinner time, trips to the beach, or simply the moment when the dog owner comes home from work. As a result, you might notice happy, excited, or content tail wagging even while they’re fast asleep, a testament to the happy memories in their dreams.
However, dogs may also wag their tails while asleep due to underlying discomfort or stress. In these cases, the tail wagging is distinctly different from the relaxed, sweeping motions associated with joyful dreams. For example, if your dog is cold, you might see shivering. If they’re having a bad dream, you might hear whimpering or whining.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why do dogs wag their tails when barking?
Harmony Diers, a registered veterinary technician, says that if a dog wags their tail while barking with their ears and facial expressions relaxed, then they are probably happy and excited. Meanwhile, if the barking dog stands stiffly with ears perked up and alert, this means the canine feels threatened.
Why do dogs wag their tail when they see you?
Dogs wag their tail when they see you due to happiness and excitement, indicated by a neutral/tilted tail, moderate pace, and sweeping motions, signaling calmness and eagerness to connect.
Why do dogs wag their tails and growl?
When dogs growl and wag their tails, it can be seen as a sign of agitation or threat. A stiff, high tail and growling indicate they’re uncomfortable or feeling defensive, so avoid approaching them.
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