Respect the Dog: Teaching Kids to Read the Signs Before It’s Too Late

We’ve spent the last month talking about how to help your puppy feel calm, safe, and confident around children. Now it’s time to flip the script.
Because the truth is: even the kindest, fluffiest dog deserves boundaries.
So this week, we’re focusing on the other half of the relationship—teaching kids to be kind, mindful, and respectful around animals.
We’ve all seen it—those adorable videos of toddlers flopped across their family dog like a pillow. It looks cute… but if you freeze-frame that moment, you might see a tail tucked, a lip twitching, or a dog begging with their eyes:
"Please help me. I’m not okay."
In many of those cases, it’s not the dog who needs more training—it’s the humans.
Especially the tiny ones.
If you're raising a puppy into a future therapy dog or welcoming one into a successful, active household, here's something I tell every client (yes, even the ones who’ve raised five Goldens already):
Dogs are communicating all the time.
It’s our job—and our kids’ job—to listen.

Why Respect Is the Real Safety Net: When a dog growls or snaps, it’s often the final step in a long line of gentle warnings we missed. The truth? Most dogs are saints. They put up with an awful lot before they say “enough.”
But that doesn’t mean we should let them.
Teaching children how to interact with dogs respectfully builds trust, prevents accidents, and sets the foundation for calm, lifelong companionship.

Signs Your Dog is Not Okay Around Your Child: Here’s what to look for when your dog is sending distress signals:

• Tail tucked or low between the legs
• Lip licking (not because there’s peanut butter involved!)
• Whale eye – showing the whites of the eyes
• Stiff body posture
• Turning head away from the child
• Yawning out of context (this is a classic stress signal)
• Low growl or a curled lip – this is your LAST warning

👉 Teach your child to recognize these signs.
Explain that just like we feel overwhelmed sometimes, dogs do too. And when they "talk" to us with their bodies, it’s our job to listen and give them space.

How to Teach Kids to Respect Dogs: You don’t need to bubble-wrap your dog or tell your kids to be afraid. But you do need to create boundaries and model kindness.
Try these:1. Teach the “Consent Petting” RuleShow kids how to call the dog over, then wait.
If the dog comes and stays, pet gently.
If they walk away? We respect that choice.
2. Practice Calm Behavior Together: Get down to your dog’s level and show your child how to move slowly, speak softly, and avoid sudden movements. Role-play it like a game!
3. Use Real-Time Narration: "Buddy’s turning his head away—that means he needs a break. Let’s give him space!"
Kids catch on so fast when you use everyday moments to teach dog language.
4. Make it Empowering, Not Scary: Let kids know that learning dog language makes them a superhero in their dog’s eyes. You’re not just keeping the dog safe—you’re teaching emotional intelligence in action.

Let’s Talk Responsibility, Not Blame: Dogs don’t bite out of nowhere. When a child is bitten, it’s not just the dog who failed—it’s the whole system.
So instead of scolding the dog or feeling guilty as a parent, ask:
What boundaries were missing? What signs did we miss? How can we do better next time?
You are your dog’s advocate, and your child’s teacher. And when both species feel heard and respected—magic happens.

Final Thoughts: Safety Builds Confidence, Not FearWhether you're raising your pup to become a therapy dog, or just want a peaceful, kid-friendly home, the key is teaching mutual respect.
Dogs are emotional, intuitive creatures who crave clarity, consistency, and safety—just like our kids do.
And trust me—as someone who's worked with dozens of successful families raising therapy-quality dogs--this work pays off.
The best family dogs aren’t born perfect.
They’re raised with awareness, structure… and a whole lot of love.

---