Welcome to The Little Trainers League!
A special space for children and their grown-ups to learn, explore, and have fun with dogs — safely and kindly.
This area has been designed with children in mind, but grown-ups play a very important role here.
Please make sure your child explores The Little Trainers League together with you, or under your supervision.
There is no chat, no messaging, and no comments in this space, so it’s completely child-safe — everything is between you, your child, and your dog.
This page helps your child to learn;
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How to observe body language
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Practising simple, kind training
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Learning when dogs say “yes please” and “no thank you”
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Understanding what dogs need to feel safe
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🐶 First Things First — The Golden Rule
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A dog should always get to choose if they want to say hello.
This is the most important lesson a child can learn about dogs.
If a dog walks away, turns their head, hides, or looks unsure — that’s a “No thank you.”
And that’s okay! We listen and give space.
Body Language for Kids: YES PLEASE vs NO THANK YOU
💚 YES PLEASE – A dog who is happy to interact might look like:
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Loose, wiggly body
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Tail moving gently from side to side
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Soft eyes
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Approaching you on their own
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Sniffing calmly
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Play bow
❤️ NO THANK YOU – A dog who needs space might look like:
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Turning their head away
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Walking off
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Tucked tail
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Licking their lips
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Yawning when not tired
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Moving behind their grown-up
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Freezing like a statue
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Hiding
If a dog says "No, thank you", it doesn't mean that they don't like you or you did anything wrong, as we will learn together, sometimes dogs need space, like we do!
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Safe Hellos —
The 5-Step Method
Ask the Grown-Up
Never approach a dog without a grown-up saying it’s safe.
Ask the Dog
Hold out a loose, gentle hand at your side.
Let the dog come to you.
If they don’t come over — that’s a “No thank you.”
Stand Sideways
This helps dogs feel safe.
No leaning over their head.
Soft Hands Only
Stroke gently on the chest or shoulder.
No hugs, no squeezing, and no hands over the dog’s face.
Stop After 3 Seconds
Pause to see what the dog says next:
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If they stay and ask for more → continue
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If they walk away → let them go
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🧸 Safe-At-Home Rules for Kids
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🚫 No climbing, hugging, sitting on, or pulling dogs
Dogs do not understand these actions as love — many find them scary.
🚫 Never disturb a sleeping dog
Sleeping dogs can startle easily.
🚫 Give dogs space when they’re eating or chewing
This helps them feel calm and safe.
🚫 No touching dogs when they are in their “safe spot”
A bed, crate, sofa corner — that is their “do not disturb” place.
Safety Superpowers for Little Trainers
These are strengths that you can learn to build, to show kindness to your dog:
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Patience Power — waiting for the dog to choose
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Gentle Hands Power — soft, slow touches
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Listening Power — watching body language
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Kindness Power — stopping when the dog says “no thank you”
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Brave Choices Power — asking a grown-up before approaching a new dog
How many of these super powers can you master?
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