Understanding Animal Behavior: Teaching Kids Pet Safety Cues - LifeLine Animal Project (2024)

The bond between child and pet should be nurtured with mutual respect, understanding, and care. Teaching kids to read pet cues can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and enhance their relationships with their furry friends. By teaching kids how to interact safely with animals, we instill empathy and respect for living beings, allowing children to enjoy pets without fear or harm.

Understanding common animal behaviors is essential for interpreting pet cues accurately. Animals communicate through body language, vocalizations, and eye contact. Recognizing these signs helps prevent misunderstandings and promote safer interactions. For instance, a wagging tail may indicate happiness, while a tucked tail could signify fear or anxiety.

• There are indications that your pet is happy and relaxed. Look for a wagging tail, relaxed ears, and loose body posture. These signs indicate that the pet is comfortable and approachable.

• Signs of a stressed or anxious pet may include a tucked tail, flattened ears, and a tense body. These are signs of stress or fear. It’s best to give your pet space and avoid any sudden movements.

• Prevent bites and scratches by teaching children to recognize signs of irritation or discomfort in pets. If a pet becomes aggressive or scared, instruct kids to remain calm, avoid eye contact, and slowly back away.

• Is your pet barking, growling, meowing, or purring? Each sound has a meaning. Barking or growling can be a warning, while purring usually indicates contentment. Teaching kids to recognize these sounds helps them understand the pet’s mood and intentions.

• Loud barking is not always a sign of aggression. Instead, it may be an expression of excitement, alerting to the unusual, or your pup’s way of communication. Each dog is an individual, and its bark can convey different messages depending on the context and the dog’s personality.

• Direct and Indirect Eye Contact: Direct eye contact can be seen as a challenge by some pets, while indirect eye contact is generally less threatening. Teaching children to avoid staring directly into a pet’s eyes can prevent misunderstandings.
• Supervision is critical here: Depending on your child’s age, they may be the height of your pup or shorter. In these cases, it is always best to supervise their interactions and your pup’s routine behavior around children.

• Approaching pets slowly and allowing them to sniff first shows your pet that you respect their space and decision to interact. This helps them feel secure and reduces the risk of sudden reactions.
• If around a pet you’re not familiar with, always ask for permission before petting a stranger’s pet to ensure it’s safe and comfortable with new people.

• Teach kids to use gentle strokes and avoid sensitive areas like the belly, paws, mouth, face and nose. If a pet shows signs of discomfort, it’s important to stop and give them space.
• Safe places for petting your pup are from the sides and behind the ears, and along the back.
• Avoid letting kids reach out directly towards a pet’s mouth and face.

• Use toys instead of hands during play to avoid accidental bites or scratches. Letting your pet play with your hands too often can increase your chances of recurring nips. Parents should supervise playtime to ensure it’s safe and enjoyable for both the child and the pet.
• Understanding pet play behavior, like play bows or gentle nips, helps kids differentiate between playful and aggressive actions.

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. “Dog Care Tips.” ASPCA, www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/dog-care-tips.

American Veterinary Medical Association. “Animal Safety.” AVMA, www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/animal-safety.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Keeping Pets and People Healthy: Children.” CDC, www.cdc.gov/healthypets/keeping-pets-and-people-healthy/children.html.

“Barking.” ASPCA. Retrieved from ASPCA