Child and Dog Safety: Listening to What Dogs Are Really Saying

Child and Dog Safety: Listening to What Dogs Are Really Saying

In any family with children and dogs, safety begins with understanding. While dogs don’t use words, they communicate all of the time—through their body language. Unfortunately, these cues are often misunderstood or missed entirely. At Trailblazing Tails, the focus is on helping families foster safe, respectful, and positive relationships between kids and dogs by learning to listen to what dogs are really saying.

Dogs Deserve Respect, Choice, and Space

Just like people, dogs are individuals. They have their own likes, dislikes, boundaries, and needs. They deserve:

• 🐾 A safe space to retreat when overwhelmed
• 🐾 The freedom to choose whether or not to interact
• 🐾 Respect for their bodies and their species—not being treated like toys or rides

Respecting a dog’s autonomy is foundational to building trust and preventing unwanted or dangerous interactions.

Body Language 101: What Dogs Are Telling Us

Dogs speak volumes with their bodies. Teaching children how to recognize the difference between a relaxed dog and a stressed or uncomfortable one is a powerful way to keep everyone safe.

Signs a dog is relaxed:

• Open, soft mouth
• Loose, wiggly body
• Soft eyes
• Floppy ears
• Calm tail movements - loose, not stiff and high

Signs a dog is uncomfortable or stressed:

• Tense face or mouth
• Lip licking or yawning (outside of being tired or hungry)
• Turning away or trying to leave the situation
• Whale eye (when the white of the eye is showing)
• Tail tucked or stiff body

Recognizing these signs helps children know when it's okay to engage—and when it's time to give the dog some space.

What Kids Should Know

Children naturally want to show affection, but not all affection is well-received by dogs. For example:

• Hugs and Kisses: While some dogs may tolerate hugs and kisses, most do not enjoy them—even from people they love.
• Climbing or Riding: Dogs are not horses. Sitting or climbing on a dog is unsafe and can cause injury.
• Petting the Top of the Head: Dogs often don’t like pats on top of the head, or sudden movements toward them. This can be very threatening.

Instead, teach children to:

• Let the dog come to them first
• Pet gently on the part of the body the dog offered, maybe a scratch on the butt, chest, or chin
• Respect the dog’s space when eating, resting, or retreating

Advocating for Your Dog

As parents and guardians, we play a crucial role in creating a safe and respectful environment. Advocating for your dog means setting boundaries for interactions, stepping in when needed, and modeling respectful behavior for kids.

Encourage your child to treat dogs the way they would want to be treated—with kindness, patience, and understanding.

Final Thoughts: Communication Builds Connection

When children learn to “speak dog,” they're not just learning about animal behavior—they're learning empathy, respect, and how to build strong, trust-based relationships. By listening to what dogs are really saying, families can enjoy safer, more rewarding connections that last a lifetime.

Let’s raise confident kids who not only love dogs but also understand them.