A wagging tail means a dog is happy? Expert warns against a common misconception

When a dog approaches with its tail wagging, many people assume it is friendly and wants to be petted. That assumption can be wrong.

Dog behavior expert Mike Gould told Newsweek that wagging can indeed express happiness. But it can also point to fear, anxiety, excessive excitement or a readiness to defend itself.

The key to understanding a dog's body language is to observe the whole animal, rather than focusing only on its tail.