Dog Tail Between Legs: What It Means and What You Can Do

Dogs use their tails as a tool for social communication. A happy dog will wag their tail, and an angry dog will have an erect or fluffed-up tail.

The different movements and positions of a dog’s tail can tell you a lot about how the animal is feeling or what they are trying to communicate.

When a dog’s tail is between its legs, it could indicate a variety of things. Fear or pain are just a couple of reasons we tend to think of initially.

It can be frustrating for you as a dog owner (and maybe even your canine!), trying to figure out what’s happening.

If it just happens for a day, that’s one thing.

But if a dog continues to tuck their tail after some time, it may be a sign that something else is wrong.

Let’s look at illnesses.

Aside from fear or general anxiety, dogs position their tails between their legs in response to numerous health conditions.

Some of these ailments will be apparent with visible injuries, while others could be challenging to diagnose.

Don’t worry; with a little knowledge and upfront guidance, you can rule out or even identify the possible causes.

To start, here are five canine disorders that are associated with the tail:

• Pyoderma
• Limber Tail Syndrome
• Tail Fracture
• Fleas
• Happy Tail Syndrome

This article covers these five common canine disorders that could cause a dog to tuck their tail between its legs.

We have included a basic definition of the disorder, other signs and symptoms to look out for, and the more susceptible breeds to each disease.

But more importantly…

We offer what you should do to help your dog and get their tail behavior back to normal.

Dog Tail Between Legs Due to Pyoderma

A tucked tail on a dog could be an indication of a skin infection.

There are various reasons that skin infections could occur on a dog’s tail. When a canine’s tail is scraped or cut, it is more likely to get an infection.

Pyoderma is an infection that is caused by bacteria, fungus, or parasites.

Rest assured; this condition is very common in dogs.

The condition is one of the most frequent reasons that owners bring their dogs to the vet. There has been a considerable amount of research done on Pyoderma in canines.

Signs And Symptoms

There are several symptoms associated with Pyoderma.

As one of the most common health conditions in canines, veterinarians are very effective at detecting this condition.

The most frequently reported symptom of Pyoderma is the presence of papules or pustules.

Papules and pustules are lesions that develop on the skin. They often appear similar to human “pimples.” The injuries are red on the outside and usually have a white, pus-filled center.

Here are more of the common symptoms associated with Pyoderma:

• Circle-shaped crust
• Dry areas of skin
• Loss of hair in the infected area
• Itchiness
• Dog sitting with tail between legs

BREEDS THAT ARE MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO PYODERMA

There are several breeds of dogs that are more prone to developing Pyoderma.

It is thought that these dogs are more at risk of developing the infection due to excess skin causing skin folds.

• Bulldog
• Terrier
• Shar-Pei
• Cocker Spaniel
• Pitbull

WHAT CAN YOU DO AS A RESPONSIBLE DOG OWNER?

The standard treatment for pyoderma and resolving the problem of your dog keeping its tail between its legs is a prescription of antibiotics for a duration of two to six weeks.

In some severe or chronic cases, the veterinarian will conduct a skin culture examination to determine whether or not the correct antibiotic is being used.

The majority of pyoderma cases will heal with the use of antibiotics in combination with topical skin medicine.

Dog owners should give their pets regular baths with special medical shampoo.

Limber Tail Syndrome Causes Dog’s Tail to Go Between Legs

Sometimes the meaning of a dog’s tail tucked between their legs can be challenging to identify.

Canines use their tails for a variety of functions. Limber tail syndrome or acute caudal myopathy is a disorder within the tail muscles.

What’s this really mean?

Veterinary medical experts suggest that this condition comes from the overuse of the tail.

Excessive or prolonged stress on the dog’s tail can cause damage to the vertebrae bones, muscles, and surrounding ligaments.

Critical risk factors are overexertion, exposure to frigid water, and extremely cold weather.

Signs And Symptoms

A dog with its tail between its legs can mean it’s dealing with some kind of pain in the tail.

In this case, it could indicate the dog is trying to cope or even communicate with its tail that something doesn’t feel right.

As we’ve said, a painful tail is one of the symptoms of acute caudal myopathy.

The symptoms generally occur within twenty-four hours of the event or situation that causes the condition.

Here are a few additional symptoms that are reported in cases of limber tail syndrome:

• Dog has a limp hanging tail
• Tail straight for two to three inches, then hanging downwards towards legs
• The dog has difficulty defecating
• Changes in appetite, such as refusing to eat or drink
• Pain at the base of the tail makes it hard for the tail to rise up
• The dog doesn’t want to sit
• Dog’s tail is between the legs consistently
• Swelling at the bottom of the tail
• Whimpering

Breeds That Are More Susceptible To Limber Tail Syndrome

Certain kinds of dogs, sporting dogs, and working dogs, are more susceptible to limber tails.

Understandably, the syndrome would occur more often in sporting or working dogs because one of the primary risk factors is overexertion (and that includes the tail working).

The following specific breeds of dogs have been identified as the most susceptible to the syndrome:

• English Pointer
• English Setter
• Foxhound
• Beagle
• Labrador
• Spaniel
• Retriever
• Vizsla

What To Do

In simple, standard cases of limber tail, the syndrome is effectively treated with anti-inflammatory medication and rest.

The tail is likely swollen, and in pain, so owners shouldn’t allow the dog to do any strenuous activity.

The majority of dogs with this syndrome will typically return to their usual, hard-working selves within approximately one week.

A dog with limber tail syndrome is not more likely to develop the condition a second time.

Therefore, once the tail is fully healed, owners should let their dogs go back to the things they love but keep a closer eye on their tails.

Dog Tail Fracture

A dog’s tail between his legs could signal that the dog is in pain.

What kind of pain?

A fractured or dislocated tail can be an agonizing sensation for your furry friend.

Believe it or not, dog tails are fractured easily. And those with longer tails are more at risk of a severe injury.

You may be asking, how can a dog fracture its tail?

There are numerous situations, events, and examples of how a dog can suffer a tail fracture. Here are some of the ordinary events that lead to the injury:

• Often occurs when dogs are struck by vehicles
• Falls from high places
• The tail is stepped on, or something falls on it
• The tail is compressed or crushed by something (you never know fully what your dog gets into!)

Signs And Symptoms

As we just saw, it’s entirely possible that a dog’s tail between his legs indicates that the dog is suffering from a tail fracture.

But what else should you look for?

Here are the additional signs to look out for if you suspect that your dog has a tail fracture:

• Dog won’t wag tail normally
• Bleeding skin
• Variation in “gait” or the way that your dog is walking
• Chewing and licking tail
• Foul smells coming from the tail
• Hair loss in the tail region
• Crying or whimpering
• Incontinence

Breeds That Are More Susceptible To A Tail Fracture

There are no dog breeds that are more susceptible to tail fractures than others.

Often times a tail fracture will occur as the result of a “freak accident” or an event that is entirely out of the ordinary.

Dogs with certain jobs, especially active dogs like Australian Cattle Dogs or Staffies, for example, and those with long tails, may be more prone to tail fractures than other kinds of dogs.

Also, consider hunting and working dogs that are highly active. They may be more at risk of a tail fracture because of their daily strenuous work.

What Can You Do?

The recovery of your furry friend will depend on numerous factors.

The most important factors are the cause of the injury, the severity of the injury, any additional trauma, and whether or not the effects of the injury will be permanent or temporary.

Owners should be ready to observe closely and ensure the dog rests without moving strenuously.

You also should prepare a nutritious diet and a safe, clean environment.

Depending on the severity of the injury, your dog should be back to normal and doing their usual tricks within a few weeks to a few months at the most. Just watch that tail!

Fleas

There is one aspect of the summer months that dog owners despise, the dreaded increase in fleas.

In most areas that are not warm year-round, fleas are only around in the summer.

These tiny insects can make life miserable for you and your dog. Their tail between their legs is one way they’re letting you know.

Fleas are little, brown insects that enjoy warm temperatures. Fleas are attracted to dogs for the same reason that they are drawn to humans, the blood!

A good flea collar can help with this, of course.

Fleas also possess powerful back legs, which allow them to jump from one animal to another almost instantly.

Signs And Symptoms

A dog’s reaction to fleas can depend on several factors.

Some canines will have a severe reaction, which makes them highly uncomfortable and irritated. Other dogs may not show much or any irritation.

Here are some of the common symptoms associated with fleas on dogs:

• Itching and licking of the skin
• Rubbing and chewing of the skin
• Scabbing and redness
• Skin sores
• An allergic reaction is known as Flea Allergic Dermatitis (FAD)
• Hair loss
• The dog will put its tail between their legs as a sign of stress from the biting
• Changes in behavior
• Visible evidence of fleas

Breeds That Are More Susceptible To Fleas

No specific breeds of dogs are more prone to fleas than others.

Fleas don’t only target dogs; they will go after almost any mammal if the environmental conditions are suitable.

However, there are specific causes and risk factors for dogs contracting fleas.

Squirrels, rodents, and cats can carry fleas and drop them on the ground.

The fleas can then hop off the ground and onto your dog.

Fleas will also drop flea eggs in a home, which can then lead to an infestation of the entire house.

What Should You Do?

To effectively eliminate fleas, dog owners should carefully follow the advice of their vet.

Many owners will approach a flea infestation nonchalantly, allowing the outbreak to grow and making elimination far more challenging.

But to really end the issue…

Treatment of the canine carrying the fleas will be the primary concern.

Your veterinarian will likely prescribe a specially made flea shampoo, which should be used regularly to wash your dog.

Flea shampoo is one of the most effective methods of quickly getting rid of these pesky insects.

Furthermore, insect growth regulators (IGR) provide consistent protection against fleas.

IGRs don’t need to be applied as often as flea shampoos and other anti-flea medications. IGRs work by inhibiting fleas from reproducing and continuing their infestation.

Other treatments involve treating your pet with medicines that will sterilize all existing fleas. This one takes some time but can be more effective in the long run.

You can make a big difference in how often flea infestations occur and the severity.

In most cases of dog injuries, the owner can’t do much other than follow the veterinarian’s instructions.

With fleas, dog owners can regularly apply preventative measures.

Happy Tail Syndrome

Most people would consider that when a dog wags its tail, it is happy. Seems completely logical, right?

But there’s more to this.

This is one of the reasons that happy tail syndrome can be so problematic, and owners have trouble recognizing when it’s actually a problem.

Happy tail syndrome can cause significant injuries to your dog’s tail.

All dogs wag their tails, but some dogs are so big and powerful that over-wagging can cause injury.

Large dogs with extended tails are more at risk of happy tail syndrome.

The injuries from this syndrome will usually appear at the top of the tail because the skin isn’t as thick in that region.

Due to the region of the damage and the dog’s urge to continue to wag their tail, the condition can be challenging to treat and heal.

Signs And Symptoms

An injured tip of the tail and a dog’s tail between his legs can imply that your furry friend may be suffering from the not-so-happy, happy tail syndrome.

Most tail injuries and syndromes will create superficial wounds that aren’t apparent to the naked eye.

More profound internal tail injuries will make their presence clear by limiting or dramatically changing the movement of the tail.

Who knew that a dog’s tail between their legs could be the result of being too happy? Craziness…

Breeds That Are More Susceptible To A Happy Tail Syndrome

The breeds that are more susceptible to happy tail syndrome are dogs with short hair, long tails, and forceful rear ends that can wag their tails powerfully.

The most common breeds associated with happy tail syndrome include:

• Great Danes
• Pitbulls
• Greyhounds
• Labradors

These dogs are most commonly associated with happy tail syndrome because they all have long tails and powerful behinds that can flip and toss their tails so much that it can cause severe damage.

That said, any dog with short hair and strength that can wag its tail powerfully is at risk of the syndrome.

What Can You Do As A Responsible Dog Owner?

Happy tail syndrome can turn from a minor issue to a severe problem if the tip of the tail isn’t allowed to heal.

In this case, a dog’s tail resting between the legs is actually a good thing.

You want to look out for an infection, which is a critical concern. Thankfully, you can make a big difference in healing your furry friend’s tail.

A great example is in this video:

When you notice that your dog has an injury to its tail, keeping it clean and covered is critical.

To effectively bandage your dog’s happy tail, follow these tips:

• Cleaning – Be sure that the wounded area of the tail is clean before proceeding to step two.
• Ointment or medication application – Your veterinarian will prescribe some type of antibiotic ointment or medication. Spread some of the creams on and around the wound to help lower the risk of infection.
• Apply bandages – After you have put on the ointment, apply a piece of gauze or wrapping on the injury. Ensure the dressing is large enough to cover the entire wounded area.
• Change the bandages – For the most efficient healing, you must change the wrapping of the injury daily until it is fully healed.

Contact a Vet?

If you’re concerned with any of the symptoms above or related fears regarding your dog’s behavior with its tail, you can call your vet or even do a live chat with one online right now to save time and money.

In a short time, you’ll know if your dog’s tail tucking is linked to a serious issue or if it’s a momentary behavior that just needs some monitoring.

Conclusion

Canine tail movement is a social tool that they use primarily for communication.

Dogs that don’t wag their tails, or if there is a noticeable change to the movement of the tail, you can expect that there is definitely a problem you should ignore.

Dr. Karen Becker is a leading wellness veterinarian. She has studied, treated, and discussed numerous health conditions in canines.

Be sure to check out this video, where she explains canine tail injuries further.

Most canine tail conditions are superficial and will quickly heal with proper treatment and management.

When these minor conditions are left untreated, they can lead to infections and more severe complications.

When you see the first sign of something different about your dog’s tail, you should seek a professional opinion.

This is never more true if your dog’s tail is between its legs and not curled up next to you or wagging about with calm and submissive energy.