FOR PARENTS AND TEACHERS
Wag Whisperers is a youth education program created by Wagging with Wisdom to help children develop the knowledge, confidence, and compassion needed to safely coexist with the dogs in our communities.
My goal is to help make canine education a more accessible part of childhood, empowering the next generation to build safer, more respectful relationships with the animals who we share our lives with.
Why Dog Safety Education Matters
More than 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year in the United States, and children account for at least half of those injuries.
Many incidents happen during everyday interactions, including with familiar family pets. Teaching children to recognize canine communication, respect boundaries, and understand when to give a dog space can help prevent avoidable injuries and create safer interactions for everyone.
Learning to Share Our World Safely
Dogs are an unavoidable part of our homes, schools, neighborhoods, and public spaces. Children will encounter dogs with different personalities, experiences, and comfort levels throughout their lives.
Learning how to approach appropriately, when to give a dog space, and how to respond around unfamiliar dogs helps protect children while respecting each dog's right to feel safe. Not every dog wants to be greeted or touched, and learning to recognize and respect that is an essential life skill.
Real Results
Dog safety education isn't about teaching children to fear dogs. Instead it's about building understanding, empathy, and responsible decision-making.
When children learn to recognize discomfort, respect boundaries, and interact appropriately, they help reduce stress for dogs as well as each other, prevent potentially dangerous situations, and support safer communities.
These skills can also help children grow into more thoughtful friends, pet owners, advocates, and future professionals who understand that protecting people and protecting animals go hand in hand.