True or False: A relaxed, wagging tail always means a dog is friendly.

The story behind the answer

False. A wagging tail signals arousal, not guaranteed friendliness. A friendly dog usually has a loose, wiggly body, soft eyes, and a low-to-mid tail wagging broadly (sometimes a “helicopter” spin). A high, stiff, rapid wag can signal tension or potential aggression, while a low, tucked wag often reflects fear. Always read the whole dog: posture, face, ears, and movement.

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