What does 'flag his tail' mean?

• A. The tail is between the legs indicating submission
• B. The tail is stiff and high and moves it rigidly back and forth
• C. The tail is flicking rapidly from side to side
• D. The tail is lowered to the ground

Answer: (B)

Flagging the tail means the tail is held high and stiff, moving rigidly back and forth like a flag. This posture signals heightened arousal and alertness in a dog, indicating the animal is focused and ready to act rather than submitting. It often appears when something has captured the dog’s attention and it’s assessing how to respond, which in law enforcement contexts can precede protective or defensive behavior.

Other tail positions convey different states: a tail tucked between the legs suggests submission or fear; a tail flicking rapidly from side to side indicates irritation or agitation but not the sustained, upright flag posture; a tail lowered to the ground signals fear or submission.