A Dog's Tail Position Has Meaningbr br The position of a dog's tail can communicate information about what that dog is thinking and feeling. Here are some examples:br br Tail held high and still br br indicates alertness and the desire to portray dominance.br br br br Tail held high and wagging br br shows happiness but also a state of alertness. The dog is cautiously excited but showing dominance.br br Tail held between the legsbr br indicates fear or submission.br br Tail held straight out means br br that the dog is taking in new information and is so far responding neutrally.