05/07/2025
We often talk about providing our dogs with a “safe space.”
But when our dogs are struggling, whether at home or out in the world, it’s easy to forget that safety isn’t something we can decide for them. It’s something they have to feel for themselves.
What feels safe to one dog might be unsettling to another..Some dogs may seek safety in their bed in a corner, off the ground, lying at the back of the sofa, or on top of their crate in a different room away from visitors. Others feel more secure when they can see and hear the world around them.
Some dogs feel safe inside their home or car, quietly observing people, dogs, and traffic from their chosen spot. Others may only feel secure in an open outdoor area, with plenty of distance between themselves and others.
Some dogs, when frightened may not feel comfortable being petted, some feel safe being near their caregivers, while others feel safe being stroked or petted just by their known people.
True safety comes from offering choices and trusting our dogs to choose what feels right for them, sharing their emotions to truly understand the world a little more from their perspective.
We can learn a lot by watching their body language. Subtle signals speak volumes: how they move, how they hold themselves, the direction they turn, their breathing, facial expressions, eyes soft or staring, whether their mouth is open, closed, tense or relaxed, if they’re panting. Are their ears relaxed, held back, or alert? Is their tail loose, tucked, or tense?
These small but important signals give us valuable feedback about how they’re feeling. Communication isn’t always loud, but just as important. When we pay close attention, we start to understand what safety means to them, not just what looks right to us.
Safety isn’t just about a space, it’s a feeling that needs to be felt.
