Smart sensor translates tail wags
Friday October 9th 2015
Dogs let their tails do the talking and a new device promises to help owners understand what each wag means.
The speed, breadth and direction of each shake of the tail all betray the emotions a canine is feeling, the inventors behind TailTalk say. DogStar Life, which is based in New York, claims its sensor can measure the peaks and troughs of a dog's day.
The gadget fixes on to a pooch's tail and works like a Fitbit fitness tracker. DogStar Life says the invention helps owners get a better understanding of their pets through some tell-tale signs that they would not ordinarily pick up.
When the tail wags to the right, it denotes excitement or happiness, while a wag to the left indicates anger, aggression or other negative emotions. The quicker a tail sweeps, the more excited an animal is.
A wide wag is suggestive of a dog being pleased to see someone or trying to convey that it does not feel threatened. The technology transmits data to the owner via Bluetooth to a smartphone app.
Copyright Press Association 2015
