Dog expert says subtle sign really means your dog has anxiety and stressExpert Alyssa Ralph says dog owners are often guilty of interpreting dog signals incorrectlyView Image You might not know your dog as well as you thinkFrom tail wagging to so-called “guilty looks”, many of the behaviours dog owners think they understand are routinely misread. Those misunderstandings could be quietly affecting dogs’ stress levels, feeding habits and long-term wellbeing, according to experts at Years.com. The Dog Behaviours Owners Most Commonly MisinterpretTail wagging always means happinessA wagging tail doesn’t automatically signal joy. ‌A ‘guilty look’ means they know they’ve done wrongAs far as we know, dogs don’t experience guilt in the human sense. “A dog that’s stressed or overstimulated may eat too quickly, avoid food altogether, or show inconsistent hunger cues,” says Alyssa.