It's how the tail is wagged that's important. A dominant, aggressive dog may wag its tail, but it will be more erect, upward. Before approaching an unfamiliar dog, consider its entire demeanor. Signs of aggression can include any combination of snarling, laid-back ears, raised hackles, an assertive stance and a raised, slightly wagging tail. Because dogs communicate with the tails, taking the time to learn what different uses of this highly mobile appendage mean strengthen the bond with your pet.
Dogs see only in black and white.
The canine eye contains a variety of photoreceptors, or light detectors, that allow the animal to see. Some are shaped like rods, some like cones. Cone-shaped photoreceptors are the basis for color vision. Because dogs' eyes have significantly more rods than cones, researchers once believed dogs saw only in black and white. They cannot make a distinction between colors from greenish yellow through orange and red.