“He’s my child’s best friend.” 

“My dog would never hurt anyone.” 

“It happened out of nowhere.”

As a dog trainer, these are the phrases I hear most often from heartbroken parents. The reality is that dog bites and near misses rarely happen ‘out of nowhere’. They happen when a dog has been asking for help in a language that humans simply weren’t taught to speak.

I want to give you a new superpower: the ability to see the often missed dog bite warning signs and stress signals your dog is giving you every day.

The Camera Roll Challenge: Spotting Dog Body Language in Photos

We all have a phone full of photos of our kids and dogs. We look at them and see sweet or harmless interactions. But your photo library is actually a goldmine of information about your dog’s comfort levels and dog bite warning signs.

Try this:

Open your camera roll and find five photos of your child and dog interacting. Look past the cuteness and look for these subtle signs of discomfort from your dog:

1. The Lip Lick: A quick flick of the tongue when there isn’t any food around is a classic appeasement signal. Your dog is saying, “I’m uncomfortable, please give me space.”
2. Tense Face + Closed Mouth: A happy dog usually has a soft, relaxed face. If your dog’s mouth is clamped shut and their face muscles are tense, they are uncomfortable, worried or overwhelmed.
3. Looking Away: This is a deliberate ‘opt-out’ signal. If your dog is turning their head away from a child, they are politely asking for the interaction to end and requesting space.
4. Whale Eyes: Can you see the whites of your dog’s eyes? This often happens when a dog is tensing their face and turning away from a child but keeping their eyes on the ‘threat’.
5. Yawning: When a dog yawns during a busy moment or while being touched, it is rarely because they are tired. A stress yawn is a way for a dog to process internal conflict or anxiety.
6. Backing Away: If the dog is leaning their weight onto their back legs or physically creating space, they are trying to remove themselves from the interaction.

If you see these in your photos, don’t panic. It doesn’t mean your dog is bad. It means they are communicating their discomfort and as their guardians, it’s our job to advocate for them. We need to step in when we see these stress signals in dogs before things escalate.

The “Love Language” Misunderstanding: Decoding Dog Stress Signals

Many parents see their dog licking a child and think, “Aw, their giving kisses”. In reality, ‘kisses’ to children are often a dog’s way of trying to create space or signal that they are overwhelmed. 

We need to respect a dog’s true love language. While humans express love through hugs and kisses, most dogs feel loved when they are understood, safe, and given space.

We believe that learning to understand dog body language and dog behaviour and knowing how to advocate for your dog are key to preventing dog bites from occurring in the first place. It also helps ensure your dog genuinely enjoys the presence of your children, rather than just tolerating them.

Dog Bite Prevention: 5 Essential Tips for Parents and Dog Guardians

Prevention isn’t about being mean or strict, it’s about being a guide for your child, prioritising child safety and being an advocate for your dog.

1. Set Up for Success: Use baby gates, crates, or “safe zones” where your dog can go to be completely undisturbed. Especially when sleeping, resting, or eating. Make sure these are introduced positively and never used as a punishment.
2. Active Supervision: Being in the room isn’t enough. Two adult eyes actively supervising and knowing what you’re looking for is a must. Keep your eyes on the interaction. If you have to look away to cook or answer a text, separate the dog and child.
3. Learn the Language: Study your dog’s body language. Look for those subtle signs of stress we mentioned above.
4. Step in Early: Don’t wait for a growl. If you see your dog showing any signs of discomfort we have already mentioned, calmly redirect your child or dog to a different activity or separate them positively.
5. Reward the Good: Reward your dog for being calm, and reward your child for giving the dog space or showing love/affection in a way your dog truly enjoys and appreciates.

Be Your Dog’s Advocate

Most dog bites happen when subtle communication is missed. By learning to read your dog’s warning signs, you aren’t just preventing a dog bite, you are building a relationship based on mutual trust.

Want to go deeper and learn more? If you want a step-by-step roadmap to ensuring your kids and dogs live a happier, safer, and more positive life together, check out our Online Program for Kids + Dogs. We also offer private sessions for families. We take the guesswork out of safety so you can enjoy a stress-free home. 

This guide was written by Mel, a certified dog behaviour expert who understands the juggle of family life. As a Family Paws Educator, a Fear Free Certified Professional, an IAABC accredited dog trainer and a certified Family Dog Mediator, Mel combines her background in psychology and zoology with her real-world experience as a mum of three (and two Goldens!). She believes that education is the key to safe, happy homes.

Disclaimer: Cooper and Kids will not be liable for anything that happens to you, your dog or children by following the advice and tips in this article. If you have real concerns or worries about your dog and/or safety of your children, please seek out a professional to come and assess the situation asap.