Either you are short, or you have a big dog. What kind of dog do you have, OP?

Either get your dog's tail docked, wear a cup at all times or wear 8-inch platform shoes. To be safe, apply all three solutions. They ain't called the family jewels for nothin'!

Glad I have a Cat. Although the cat's claws HAVE scratched me at the base. PAINFUL. Lol

My uncle's dog caused the same sort of problems. He was like a Pitbull mix, so he had a long thin tail. When he was happy and wagged it, which was the majority of the time, it was like a whip and it would hurt even if it hit just your leg. There were a few times he hit the more intimate areas too as he was just the right height. Eventually, everyone learned to stand away from the back of him when he was wagging it lol.

I've got a golden retriever who does that sometimes. She grew up in a house where all the other dogs are small breeds, so she thinks she's small too. So she'll walk around the house waving her tail and knocking stuff over, and never even notices.

Memo to OP: Don't stand behind your dog.

At least your dog is happy to see you!

Your legs are too short.

My dog does the same thing. One time she nailed my gf's 10 year old son, poor kid was crying.

So that's why people cut their dog's tail...