Tails Are Not for Pulling

Best Behavior

by Elizabeth Verdick, Marieka Heinlen (Illustrations)

If pets could talk, what would they say? Maybe “Fur is for petting, backs are for scratching, noses are for nuzzling . . . and tails are not for pulling!” Toddlers and pets belong together—as long as toddlers don’t chase, grab, squeeze, yank, and tease. In simple words and delightful illustrations, this book teaches the basics of kindness to animals: careful handling, awareness, safety, and respect. It also includes helpful tips for parents and caregivers.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Nonfiction, Cats, Dogs

24 pages, Board Book

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Elizabeth Verdick has been writing books since 1997, the year her daughter was born. Her two children, now ages 13 and 8, are the inspiration for nearly everything she writes. Before becoming an author, Elizabeth edited books for children and parents.

These days she writes books for toddlers to teens, and everything in between. She especially loves creating new board book series for toddlers—the latest series is Toddler Tools™, which helps young children and their parents cope with those tough times and transitions that happen every day (like naptime and bedtime). The Best Behavior™ series helps toddlers reach new milestones and improve their day-to-day behavior.

Elizabeth also enjoys getting the chance to look at the funny side of life in the Laugh and Learn™ series, which helps kids ages 8–13 get a handle on the social/emotional skills they’re developing throughout the elementary– and middle school years. Elizabeth lives with her family and five pets near St. Paul, Minnesota.

Reviews

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful and age-appropriate. I think the best page is the one that explains that pets may try to warn you by growling or hissing or scratching. Must read to little ones that will be around animals.

[Pam Cipkowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This comes in both a board book and in a longer 33-page book. Both are very good teaching tools for showing young kids that animals have feelings and can feel pain and fear. Describes the warning signs of a pet that may not want to be touched/may want to be left alone. Also describes behaviors that are positive interactions with pets. The back of both books gives tips for parents and caregivers on teaching kids about pet care and how and why to be kind to animals. The longer book also has a list of fun facts about animals and additional information on pet care and choosing a pet.

[Kallie Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Empathetic, easy for young kids to understand, and fun to read.

I just wish these worked. After discussing the book at length, particularly the "the dog may try to warn you by growling" page, my child decided to PULL TAILS HARDER while screeching like an enraged parrot. He seems to be saying "GO AHEAD AND BITE ME, MUTT" with his wailing. He thinks the "warning growls" are hilarious and keeping him off the dogs during the COVID-19 shutdown is my new full-time job.

My dogs are too nice to bite him. Will update to 5 stars if he ever stops.

[Krystallina Paramithi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book that helps kids realize why we should be kind to pets. I loved the part where the author express how animals feel when we're being annoying to them and how kids feel after that too. The book is written in a positive way and can teach a great lesson to kids. My 2 year old is already better with his grandma dog!

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

My son really liked this book. I read it everyday after checking it out at the library and he even began asking for it. I followed the suggestions on the back. He still goes right for the tail.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter really needs this book! One day I will check it out from the library for her. Our family dog will thank me, I'm sure. Haha!

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

We have been studying manners in our homeschool, and we got our first dog and family pet this past October. So when I saw Tails Are Not for Pulling for review, I grabbed it. My older children are very calm with our dog, although they had to learn to the proper way to handle him. My youngest son, who is only 4 years old now, is still a little rough with him from time to time. He knows better, but sometimes he gets a little wild. The content in this book is best suited for smaller children and probably even younger than 4.


I liked how the book starts off with wondering how if animals could talk, what would they say. It goes through some common pet animal sounds. Then the book enters into a series of statements that are about how to properly handle a pet. For example: "fur is for petting, not grabbing" and "ears are for listening, not yanking." This establishes that there are good and proper ways to handle our pets. That section ends with "Tails are not for pulling. Ouch, that hurts." Even young children understand pain and "ouch". The book then goes into some other things a pet might want to say. For example: "Hey, my bowl is empty!" or "Gee, I could use a walk." This shows the different ways that animals need to be cared for. The book then emphasizes that pets are for loving, not teasing. And then some examples for teasing are given. Like "holding toys out of reach" or "pretending to steal food". The book shows how teasing might feel for both the pet and the child, which, again, I think all children can relate to. And then some warning signs are given that an animal might give you to show that they're unhappy with your treatment. A few tips are given about approaching someone else's pet.

All in all, I think Tails Are Not for Pulling gets 5 Stars. If you are considering getting a pet, this would be a great resource to share with your children first--especially if you have younger aged children. It's simple and straightforward. Have you or your child read Tails Are Not for Pulling? What did you think? Let me know!

[Anne Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

I generally like these little instructive books I get from my local library's used book store. These get passed along to others after I've read them.

This book teaches important concepts with regard to compassion toward animals. One thing that the content got me thinking about is how animal cruelty as children often is identified as a precursor to more troubling behavior as adults. So it made me ask myself: If children are taught at an early age to show compassion to animals, will they be more likely to grow into compassionate adults?

The book has an extensive area at the end that guides parents, teachers, and other adults in how to steer young children toward a love and respect of animals as living, breathing beings. I would suggest to adults that they read this material first, and then discuss it where appropriate as the book is read to children.

[Autumn Corbin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tails Are Not for Pulling is a concept book for younger children. The book is about how to respect animals and properly care for them. This is a very important concept for children to be aware about in order to properly address animals. The book addresses cues that animals may not like a certain action, these cues can look like: growling, hissing, and barking. The book also relates how animals get scared just how humans can get scared. Overall, the book carries a very important message. However, I do feel that the book could use more detailed illustrations. The illustrations are very basic and not very eye catching. I do feel like children's attention could be grasped more within the message rather than the illustrations for this type of book.

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is really great! It’s very informative and it teaches children very well because it uses the right level of vocabulary and is presented in an engaging way. I especially love all of the advice for parents listed at the end of each book and the size of the book (the pages are quite large). My only criticism is that the board book pages are thinner than is typical for a board book, and I’m worried that these books won’t hold up to the antics of an excited toddler (which is who they’re written for).

[Popo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sencillito y claro. Siempre busco libros que introduzcan el tema de que los animales se comunican y no siempre quieren que interactúes con ellos como a ti te apetece y este está bien para cuando se es muy pequeño. Me gustaría que se aclarara que no solo "backs are for rubbing", que no siempre les apetece, pero es una buena introducción y eso lo puede aclarar uno mismo.

[Eva_Amaré · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is this a sign that the parents are thinking of getting us a dog? This could be them prepping us for the big event. We liked the back scratching, nose nuzzling and all the animal sounds. Wonder how many dogs mama and daddy are getting us each. 🐕 🐕

[Chinook · Rating 4 out of 5]

The girls have never really been Raul pullers, but they could certainly learn to move more slowly and quietly around the cat if they’d like to pet him more often. This was a pretty good illustration of good pet friend behaviour.

[TJE · Rating 4 out of 5]

liked reading through
Great behavior book for 21 month old toddler with rough hands with dog.
We now say "pet pet", "backscratches" and "nuzzle" and "hands off" instead of "no" or "stop" and it works decent for our toddler.

[Mr. Peace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Baby kept pointing and patting the book.it seemed like he liked the pictures.

[A Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet book about interacting with animals and reading their body language! Would recommend

[Holly Stone · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute fast children's read to help children understand how to treat pets and other animals

[briz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Obviously, its heart is in the right place. But my audience did not care to be lectured to about what they can or cannot do with our fluffy companions. I might try this again in a few months...

[Kitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't know how safe it kept the cat, but it's always good to have a refrain to repeat to the baby. She was a big fan of this library book.

[Y.Poston]

a cute instructive text

[Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't tread on me!

[Melissa Swistek · Rating 3 out of 5]

A useful concept

[Jay Gabler · Rating 3 out of 5]

The “tips for parents and caregivers” section is so daunting, I’m never getting my baby a pet.

[R. L. Peterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute way to teach kiddos how to love animals!

[Library To-Go]

03/26/25, Play and Learn and Pediatrust, -ES

[Jenae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for all kids but especially those with pets or whose families are considering getting one

[Peacegal · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Whether they have fur, feathers, or fins, pets can feel things. And pets can get hurt if you don’t treat them well.” That’s the admirable message of Tails are Not for Pulling, a book designed to teach very young children about being kind to the animals they share their homes with.

The book depicts a wide variety of pets—from hamsters to dogs—and explains what teasing is and why it is harmful. “What might teasing feel like?” the text asks. A group of animals replies, “It’s scary.” “It’s confusing.” “I get mad.” “I want to hide.” Kids, too, tell how teasing makes them feel: “It makes pets run away from me.” “It’s not as fun as it seems.” “I feel bad after I tease.”

Text directed toward parents and teachers gives more guidance in imparting lessons of “pet manners.”

All in all, this is an excellent humane education book illustrating that kindness begins at home. The bright, cheery illustrations will be sure to captivate its intended audience. Tails is published in two forms – as a board book for toddlers and an easy reader for the slightly older set.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Tails Are Not for Pulling” provides a fun and simply way for toddlers to learn how to safely interact with animals. The author poses the question of what animals are really saying when they bark, meow or squeak. It is suggested that the animals are really telling you how they want you to play with them. “Fur is for petting,” the cat says. “Backs are for scratching” the dog says. The most important thing the animals say is that “tails are not for pulling…they’re for wagging!”
The illustrations are bright and colorful, attracting the eyes of toddlers. The characters in the book are all diverse, allowing young readers to find someone to relate to. Happy and playful animals are depicted as being affectionate, but the story also warns that these animals can get annoyed just like people.
This book is best suited for reading to an individual child. The last page of the book has some wonderful suggestions of how to make the book interactive and of how to get the most from the reading experience with your child.

[Aileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-have if you have pets and a toddler. Teaches empathy towards animals and proper behaviour towards a variety of pets, both yours and others'. The punchline is, "Tails aren't for pulling... they're for wagging!" It also includes a parent's guide on educating your children on their interactions with animals.

I borrowed this from the library, and it was helpful for our son. There were some incidents between him and the dog that were very troubling. We will need to purchase a copy to help prevent some of the tormenting our dog endured from our first son from happening again when the twins start crawling and walking. Otherwise, I'm sure he'll find being attacked by two grabbing creatures to be overwhelming!

[stevie jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book simply for the title. We have cats and recently started babysitting for a small child. Well, this small child doesn't have pets at their home. And our cats have never been around children. This book is out of their age range, but I think it still gives a clear message.

I especially loved the part explaining that animals can be scared of us, even if we have good intentions. Another part of the book explains that animals may make a noise (like a growl or a hiss) to warn that they're uncomfortable.

This book doesn't have to be for kids ages 0-3. It's great for all young ages. This would be a good reminder, especially if the child has never been around animals before.