第1557期:What does a dog mean when it wags its tail?

We all know what a dog means when it wags its tail – it means they’re happy, right? Well, maybe not according to leading animal psychologists who analyse what a dog may be or may not be feeling.  There may be more of a tale in the movements of a dog’s tail than most of us think.

我们都知道狗摇尾巴意味着什么——这意味着它们很高兴，对吧？好吧，也许不是根据分析狗可能是或可能不是感觉的主要动物心理学家的说法。狗尾巴的运动可能比我们大多数人想象的更多。

Most of us agree that it would probably make life whole lot easier and fun if dogs could actually converse rather than bark with us, but sadly they have not yet evolved to develop that skill. There are some obvious signs of what your pooch is thinking. For example, growling could show aggression, scratching at the door could mean a call of nature, and rolling on their backs could show submission.

我们大多数人都同意，如果狗真的可以和我们交谈而不是吠叫，它可能会让生活变得更加轻松和有趣，但遗憾的是它们还没有进化到发展这种技能。有一些明显的迹象表明你的狗在想什么。例如，咆哮可能表示攻击性，抓门可能意味着自然的呼唤，而在他们的背上滚动可能表示屈服。

However, in the opinions of experts like Stanley Coren, professor of psychology at the University of British Colombia, your canine companion may be trying to tell you much more with the movements and position of their tails. For example, a broad wag is a friendly sign and can mean that the dog is pleased.

然而，在不列颠哥伦比亚大学心理学教授 Stanley Coren 等专家的意见中，您的犬类伴侣可能试图通过尾巴的运动和位置告诉您更多信息。例如，大摇摆是一个友好的标志，可能意味着狗很高兴。

If you see the tail drooping,it may be a sign that the animal is in a state of stress and anxiety. That’s according to Josie F. Turner, a journalist specialised in animal welfare. This is especially obvious if there are whines coming from them, or they are trying to hide. It may be time to get them on the leash and take them for that precious ‘w-word’ – walkies. Most dog owners know never to say that word in the vicinity of their four-legged friend, or they will get overly excited forcing you to take them out.

如果你看到尾巴下垂，这可能表明动物处于压力和焦虑状态。这是专门研究动物福利的记者乔西·特纳 (Josie F. Turner) 所说的。如果他们发出抱怨，或者他们试图隐藏，这一点尤其明显。或许是时候让他们系好安全带，把他们带到那个珍贵的“w-word”——随身听了。大多数狗主人都知道永远不要在他们的四足朋友附近说这个词，否则他们会过度兴奋，迫使你把它们带出去。

A horizontal tail with slight movements may be a sign that your canine is nervous or uncomfortable. And the more ample the movements, the more nervous your pooch may be. Finally, an erect tail accompanied by a swagger in the hips and lots of movement is a sign that your dog is as happy as can be – and very alert. However, if the tail is straight up in the air with no movement, it could be a sign that your dog is alert and trying to exert dominance.

带有轻微运动的水平尾巴可能表明您的犬科动物紧张或不舒服。而且动作越充分，你的狗可能越紧张。最后，一条直立的尾巴伴随着臀部的招摇和大量的运动，这表明你的狗已经尽可能快乐了——而且非常警觉。但是，如果尾巴笔直地悬在空中，没有任何动作，这可能表明您的狗很警觉并试图发挥支配地位。

So, the next time you’re greeted by a dog, make sure to have a look and see what their tail is doing. In their own way, they’re trying to tell you if they’re sad, nervous or happy. Many of us would like to know exactly what they’re thinking. Maybe we should just be grateful their tails are wagging and they’re not plotting our demise.

所以，下次你被狗打招呼时，一定要看看它们的尾巴在做什么。他们以自己的方式试图告诉你他们是悲伤、紧张还是快乐。我们中的许多人都想确切地知道他们在想什么。也许我们应该感谢他们的尾巴在摇摆，他们没有在策划我们的死亡。

词汇表

wag 摆动
converse 对话，和……交谈
bark 狗叫
evolve 进化
pooch 狗
growl （狗）发出低沉的吼叫
scratch （动物）用爪子抓
call of nature 上厕所
submission 屈服，顺从
canine companion 狗狗伙伴
droop 下垂
whine 发出哀叫
walkies （唤狗用语）该去散步了
four-legged friend 四条腿的朋友，狗
horizontal 水平的
ample 大量的
erect 竖直的
swagger 大摇大摆