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1. Signs of Aggression
- Making themselves look bigger—this can include rising onto the toes and raising the hackles and the fur that runs the length of the spine
- Barking
- Bringing the ears forward or pinning them back
- Stiffening the body, lengthening the tail straight out, or raising it slightly
- Wrinkling the nose and showing the teeth, with or without snarling
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2. Signs of Fear
- Cowering and trying to look smaller
- Pinning the ears and averting the gaze
- Showing teeth
- Tucking the tail and trying to back away
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3. Signs of an Alert Dog
- Stands tall with or without raising their hackles
- Closes or slightly opens their mouth, with or without vocalizing
- Keeps their ears up and pointed forward and eyes open wide
- Keeps their tail up and/or wags it slowly as the dog evaluates a situation and decides what to do
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4. Signs of a Playful Dog
- Keeps their ears forward and tail wagging
- Possesses bright, wide eyes, holds their mouth wide open and may pant excitedly
- Bounces around, play bows, and vocalizes or play growls
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5. Signs of a Relaxed Dog
- Keeps their tail down or wags it
- Slackens their mouth and may even appear to smile
- Holds their ears neither backward nor forward
- Allows their tongue to hang from their mouth
- Their hair lies smooth and flat against their back
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Child’s Play: Safe Games for Kids & Dogs
Encourage healthy, fun socializing between kids and dogs:
- Fetch is a classic for good reason—just make sure you stick to the rules and instruct kids to walk away if the dog doesn’t obey the “drop” command you demonstrate; you don’t want fetch to turn into tug-of-war.
- Dog tricks are an excellent way to engage kids and dogs and strengthen their bond. Set up an agility course with low jumps, tunnels, and hoops to crawl through. This is also safe, rainy-day fun for dogs and kids indoors.
- A kid-friendly favorite, include the dog next time you play hide-and-seek using dog toys and treats.
Avoid these activities to keep kids and pups safe:
- Allowing a puppy to chew on fingers and clothing
- Playing chase
- Encouraging a dog to jump up for food, a toy, or a stick
- Tug-of-war
- Wrestling with the dog
- Teasing the dog
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Let Sleeping Dogs Lie: Knowing When to Leave Them Be
Teach kids to avoid interacting with dogs in these scenarios:
- Avoid petting or otherwise disturbing an unknown dog—always ask for the owner’s permission before petting and do so only in the company of a trusted adult.
- Avoid bothering a sleeping dog.
- Avoid bothering a dog who’s eating or drinking.
- Avoid trying to take away a toy or a treat from a dog; ask an adult for help.
- Avoid a mother dog and her pups.
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Building Confidence & Connection
Whether you have a dog at home or not, teaching kids how to interact safely with dogs is an important skill. Teaching them early and building on their knowledge over time will help kids interact confidently with dogs and give you peace of mind so you can focus on celebrating and building the unique bond they share.
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