Introduction
A dog’s body language can provide valuable insight into how they are feeling, especially during interactions with people. When a dog is feeling uncomfortable or stressed around a child, they may exhibit subtle signs through their body language and behavior. Recognizing these signs is important to ensure safe interactions between dogs and kids.
Dogs have complex ways of communicating through body postures, facial expressions, and behaviors. While every dog has their own personality, there are some common signs of discomfort that dog owners should look for. Being able to read a dog’s body language can prevent situations where a dog snaps or bites in response to feeling threatened. It also allows owners to intervene and modify interactions before the dog’s stress levels escalate.
This article will go over some of the most common signals that indicate a dog may not be enjoying their interaction with a child. Understanding these signs can lead to positive relationships between kids and dogs by setting both up for success.
Avoiding Direct Eye Contact
One of the most telling signs a dog is uncomfortable with a child is avoiding direct eye contact. Dogs will often look away or turn their head when a child approaches or tries to interact with them. As one Reddit user explained, “If she’s avoiding eye contact with you, ears pinned backwards and head down means she doesn’t feel comfortable or is guarding herself/something” (source). Looking away or turning the head is a submissive gesture to avoid confrontation with someone the dog sees as dominant, such as a child who may interact forcefully. Prolonged lack of eye contact can signal fear, distrust, or discomfort around certain individuals.
Yawning
One of the common signs your dog is stressed or uncomfortable around a child is excessive yawning. When dogs feel anxious or stressed, they often yawn repeatedly as a calming signal (1). These stress yawns are more prolonged and intense compared to regular yawns when a dog is bored or tired (2). Excessive yawning is your dog’s way of attempting to disengage and calm themselves when feeling uncomfortable. If you notice your dog starts yawning frequently when a child approaches or interacts with them, it’s a clear sign your dog is feeling stressed by the situation.
(1) https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/why-do-dogs-yawn/
(2) https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/signs-your-dog-is-stressed-and-how-to-relieve-it
Licking Lips
Quick lip licks that barely expose the tongue can indicate nervousness in dogs when interacting with children. These brief licks provide momentary relief and self-soothing when the dog is feeling uneasy. According to The Spruce Pets, lip licking is typically a pacifying behavior when dogs are faced with a perceived threat, displaying submission to avoid any further aggression from escalating (Source).
Excessive lip licking may also signify nausea, anxiety, irritation or potential health issues like allergies or dental problems. If it occurs frequently when a child approaches, it likely signals discomfort with the situation. The key is observing the context in which the licking takes place. If accompanied by other signs like turning away or moving away, quick lip licks demonstrate the dog is not at ease around the child. Owners can look for these subtle cues and intervene to prevent any incidents.
Turning Away
Dogs will sometimes turn their whole body away from a child as a sign of discomfort or avoidance. This is a subtle, calming signal that dogs use to create more space and disengage from interactions they don’t like. The dog may turn its head to the side or angle its body so that it’s not facing the child directly. According to Toddlers and Dogs: Realistic Strategies for Their Safety, dogs that turn away from a child but still stare back with a tense body are showing obvious signs of discomfort.
Turning away is a passive way for the dog to communicate it wants to be left alone and avoid engagement. It’s an early signal worth paying attention to, as ignoring it could lead to more overt reactions if the child pursues interaction. Create more space and supervise any interactions that cause your dog to turn its body away. This gives the dog room to relax and prevents the situation from escalating.
Moving Away
One sign a dog is uncomfortable with a child is if they start creeping away to create more space between themselves and the child. This attempt to distance themselves can manifest in slow, subtle movements at first. The dog may shift position or take small steps to the side when the child approaches or tries to interact with them. If the child persists in engaging with the dog, the dog may then move further away by getting up and walking to another room or area of the yard.
This desire to increase distance is an instinctual reaction when a dog feels nervous or anxious. According to a Reddit discussion on missing dogs after moving out, dogs can sometimes feel uncertain about major life changes, even positive ones involving more freedom. Just like people, routines and familiarity bring dogs comfort [1]. The arrival of a new baby or young child disrupts a dog’s routine, so they may try to recreate space and calm by moving away.
While subtle creeping away may simply indicate mild discomfort, it’s important for owners to monitor this behavior. If the dog continues to retreat often, it could signal greater anxiety requiring intervention. Owners should ensure the dog has a safe space they can access freely, and use positive reinforcement to build the dog’s confidence around children.
Trembling
One of the most common signs that a dog is uncomfortable around a child is trembling or shaking. This is often caused by fear or anxiety in the dog’s presence. Dogs may shake when they are nervous or scared, just like humans. Children can sometimes make sudden loud noises, movements, or behaviors that the dog is not accustomed to, causing the dog to feel uneasy and tremble as a result (Rover).
Trembling in dogs is often accompanied by other body language cues that signal fear or anxiety, such as ears back, tail tucked, panting, avoiding eye contact, and trying to move away from the situation. If your dog begins trembling around a child, it’s best to calmly separate them and try to minimize what is causing the stress. Some dogs warm up slowly and continued positive exposure combined with treats may help. However, shaking due to fear is a clear sign your dog is not comfortable, so it’s important not to ignore it or force interactions.
Panting
One of the most common signs of stress in dogs is heavy breathing or panting beyond just trying to cool down. As the ASPCA notes, dogs may pant when they feel anxious or fearful as a self-soothing behavior https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/common-dog-behavior-issues/panting. If your dog is panting heavily in the presence of a child, even when not engaged in strenuous activity or on a hot day, they may be feeling stressed by the unpredictable behavior and close proximity of the child.
According to Our Companions Canine Behavior department, panting is a common sign your dog feels uncomfortable around kids. They note “Children move fast and erratically, have high voices, and like to touch and grab…all things that make dogs nervous.” Seeing a dog pant around a child should be a warning sign to closely supervise any interactions. https://www.ourcompanions.org/is-my-dog-stressed-around-kids/
Whining
A dog may whine in the presence of children as a way to vocalize his discomfort or anxiety. Whining is a common sign of stress in dogs, and they may whine repeatedly when feeling uneasy around unpredictable children (Source). When a dog is uncomfortable with the erratic movements, noises, and energy of kids, he may whine and whimper excessively to express his distress. The high-pitched, plaintive noises are the dog’s way of saying he wants more space from the child. Prolonged whining around children is a clear indicator that the dog is not at ease and needs help learning to feel safe and relaxed again.
Conclusion
It’s important for parents and children to learn how to recognize the body language signals that indicate a dog is feeling uncomfortable. Being able to spot signs like avoiding eye contact, yawning, licking lips, turning away, moving away, trembling, panting, and whining can help prevent stressful situations that may lead to nips or bites. Carefully supervising all interactions between dogs and young kids is key.
If a dog is exhibiting uneasy body language, take a break to allow the dog to relax. Never force a dog to tolerate excessive hugging, touching, or grabbing from a child. Building a relationship of mutual trust and respect between children and dogs takes time and patience. However, teaching kids to properly interact with dogs and recognize when dogs need space lays the foundation for safe, positive relationships between pets and children.