Could Your Dog Be Sending You a Warning Sign?

I want to share a story with you that’s been weighing on me. A few days ago, I met a dog owner whose situation hit me hard. Her dog—her sweet boy who’s been with her for 9 years—bit her toddler in the face. Fortunately, there was no serious injury, but the emotional toll is heavy. 

She’s torn between keeping her dog and protecting her child. She never thought it could happen to her. But it did.

And here’s the truth: It doesn’t happen out of nowhere.

The warning signs were there all along, but like many dog owners, she didn’t notice them until it was too late.

Here’s what we see time and again with families:

• The dog slowly starts pulling away from the kids. They may gently nudge them aside or get up to walk away when the little ones come close.
• You might see the whites of your dog’s eyes more often as your kids approach—this is a subtle, but important signal that your dog is uncomfortable.
• The dog may yawn or lick their lips when hugged or cornered. These are signals that mean = “I’m stressing out but trying to avoid any trouble”.
• The dog tolerates it at first, but their stress builds with every interaction. They’re on edge, dreading the next stressful moment.

And then one day, they react.

It’s never out of nowhere, but it can definitely feel that way. Everything can seem ok, until we get the wake-up call no dog owner wants—a bite.

I’m not saying this to scare you. I’m sharing this because I’ve seen it too many times. Families torn apart, dogs rehomed or worse, and all because they didn’t realize what their dog was trying to say long before things got serious.

If any of this sounds familiar, I want you to pause for a second. Take an honest look at your dog’s behavior. Are they often moving away from your kids? Are you seeing those subtle signs of discomfort?

It’s okay if you didn’t notice them before. The good news is, you can do something about it now. This is your chance to step in and prevent a bite before it happens.

Here’s how we can help:

• Behavior Assessment: We’ll help you understand what’s really going on with your dog. Are they stressed? Or just confused about how to handle the kids?
• Prevention Plan: Together, we’ll create a plan that keeps your dog safe and helps your kids learn how to interact with them in a way that makes everyone feel comfortable.

This story could have had a much worse outcome. Luckily, this family is taking action before it’s too late. I hope if you see the signs in your dog, you’ll take this as your wake-up call to act now—before a bite happens.

Let’s work together to make sure your home stays safe. And feel free to forward this email on to a friend in need.