…and keeping kids safe around dogs

Understanding your dog’s body language will help you keep your kids safe and your home happy. This article contains tips and clue lists for understanding what your dog is communicating through their body language. At the very end, you will find picture-guides to help teach children dog-safety skills.

Reading Dog Body Language

There are two parts to understanding our dogs and preventing bites: understanding displacement behaviors and reading body language clues.

We will start with displacement behaviors.

Dog Body Language and Displacement Behaviors

Displacement behaviors are normal behaviors that occur out of context when a creature is stressed.

They are things that dogs do naturally, but they can also be signs of anxiety. Basically, displacement behaviors provide a non-confrontational way out of an uncomfortable situation.

Humans use displacement behaviors too. For example, going and getting a drink when you are thirsty is contextually appropriate. But, going and get a drink to get away from someone who annoys you, is not contextually appropriate.

You are too polite to confront a person who annoys you, so you avoid them by getting a drink when you aren’t thirsty. Getting a drink is now a displacement behavior.

Examples of Dogs using Displacement Behaviors:

• Your dog doesn’t have fleas, but he scratches himself when the kids are running.
• The dog is laying down, then kids start petting and hugging her. She starts sniffing the ground and walks away.
• A baby reaches toward the dog’s face, he licks the baby’s face and hands.

Common Dog Displacement Behaviors

You’ll know that a behavior is a displacement behavior because it is happening out of context. You may also see signs of nervousness.

What this means around kids

So, dogs may behave in normal ways to get out of uncomfortable situations. This is important to understand when dogs are interacting with kids. When dogs and kids are together, watch out for any behaviors that don’t match the situation.

If a dog tries to leave, let him get away. If a dog is interested in something else, let her have her space. If you call a dog, and he goes searching for a toy, let him be done.

Do not put your dog in uncomfortable situations. If pushed hard enough, any uncomfortable dog can bite.

One last displacement behavior is the shake off. If your dog shakes off when dry, they are getting rid of stress. Shake offs are a great coping mechanism, and you should always encourage them.

Reading Dog Body Language with T.E.M.P.

Now that we understand displacement behaviors, we can look at the body language clues our dog’s are giving us. Body language clues tell us how a dog might be feeling, but one clue alone doesn’t tell us enough.

We need to put the clues together, to really see how a dog is feeling.

T.E.M.P. Clues for Happiness

Happy dogs are usually not a bite risk, unless they become over-excited. Dogs can go from happy to nervous, aggressive, or over-excited very quickly. That it is why it is important to supervise dogs and young children closely.

• Tail – Not all wagging tails mean a dog is happy (it can also signal aggression and anxiety). A content dog’s tail is usually relaxed, sometimes gently waving back and forth. Their tail is at body level or lower for most breeds. A very happy dog might wag their tail so hard that their whole backside wiggles.
• Eyes – A happy dog will generally look at what she wants and have soft, alert eyes.
• Ears – A happy dog’s ears will usually point forwards or move naturally.
• Mouth – Happy dogs may have a closed mouth or pant if they are hot.
• Posture – Happy dogs are loose and wiggly. Their bodies are relaxed, and their actions are contextually appropriate.

• Tail – A nervous dog’s tail is often held very low, sometimes beneath the dog’s body. It is also very stiff, and sometimes wagging low or under the dog’s body.
• Eyes – You can often see the whites of a nervous dog’s eyes. A nervous dog will not make direct eye contact.
• Ears – A nervous dog may hold his ears back or flat against his head.
• Mouth – Nervous dogs may pant rapidly (even if they aren’t hot). They may lick their lips repeatedly or yawn.
• Posture – Nervous dogs may crouch or lower their body. Often, nervous dogs will try to hide or escape. They may keep their head down or lay on their side.

T.E.M.P. Clues for Arousal and Aggression

Dogs showing these T.E.M.P. clues are likely aroused. Aroused dogs are likely to bite, even if they are otherwise happy. Arousal can lead to aggression. When you see these signs, keep your child away from the dog.

• Tail – If a dog’s tail is wagging stiffly and rapidly, that can be a sign of aggression. A high, still tail is also typically a sign of high arousal and possibly aggression.
• Eyes – An aggressive or aroused dog will stare or become fixated with very hard, direct eye-contact.
• Ears -An aggressive dog typically has forward and alert ears.
• Mouth – The last step an aggressive dog does before a bite is usually a growl or snarl. Before growling, a dog may suddenly stop panting, tighten their lips, or show teeth.
• Posture – Fur standing on end. Stiff, rigid posture. Slow, stalking behavior or sudden freezing may be followed by an attack.

Talking to Kids about Dog Safety

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