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Reading Dog Body Language:
What to Look For in Real Life

In this lesson, you'll practice spotting early dog stress and comfort cues — the signals that matter most when dogs and kids share space.

We'll guide your attention first, then send you to a free illustrated resource created by dog behavior expert Lili Chin.

Illustrations by Lili Chin · Used with credit · Accessed directly from the creator

1 Before You Click: Prime Your Observation Skills

Before viewing the illustrations, pause and think about a dog you know.

☐ How does their body look when they're relaxed?

☐ What do their ears usually do?

☐ What happens right before they walk away or growl?

☐ What signals do kids tend to miss?

2 View the Illustrated Guide

View the Free Illustrated Guide →

Opens in a new tab · Free download from Doggie Drawings

3 Come Back and Reflect

After viewing the guide, take a moment to reflect on what you learned:

💡 What signal surprised you?

👀 Which cues feel easiest to spot?

🤔 Which ones might be hardest for a child to notice?

🏠 Where might this show up in your home?

4 How to Explain This to a Child

Use these simple scripts to help children understand what they're seeing:

💬 "When a dog's body looks stiff, it means they're asking for space."

💬 "A happy dog looks wiggly, not frozen."

💬 "If a dog turns their head away, they're saying 'I need a break.'"

A note on respect and attribution: These illustrations are shared directly from the creator under a Creative Commons license. We intentionally link out so you always have the most up-to-date version and can support the artist's work.

Reading Dog Body Language:What to Look For in Real Life

1 Before You Click: Prime Your Observation Skills

2 View the Illustrated Guide

3 Come Back and Reflect

4 How to Explain This to a Child

Reading Dog Body Language:
What to Look For in Real Life