Have you ever had a dog that you were afraid to walk when other dogs and people might be around? As a trainer, I tell my clients that it is okay to announce that your dog is in training and not ready for introductions. There is a movement that is gaining momentum around the globe that will make it easier for someone to spot a dog that needs more space and possibly no interactions. It is called The Yellow Dog Project.
A simple yellow ribbon, tied to a dog's leash, signifies a dog that is not to be approached. That does not necessarily mean the dog is aggressive or harmful. Sometimes a dog, or even a puppy, is in special training. Sometimes they have been rescued from an abusive situation and need a bit more reassurance from their handler before meeting new people. Perhaps they just had surgery and are still feeling sore. Sometimes it is just to draw attention so that people are educated about the proper way to approach a dog that is not yours.
Why is this so important and why should we ask before approaching dogs?
- Dogs, just like people, have their own personal space. Only the owners and handlers truly understand their dog's own space.
- All dogs respond to new input differently. Some demonstrate a 'fight or flight' response where they either want to fight or run away. Some are more like a 'bull in a china shop' and will knock you over just to lick your face. The best way to find out what type of dog you are approaching is to simply ask the handler: "May I pet your dog?" or "May I meet your dog?"
- Training takes consistency and patience. You don't know what the handler is trying to train and interrupting that training just because you want to "pet the cute puppy" can be detrimental to the objective the owner is trying to achieve. For instance, many want to teach their dog not to jump on people. The best way to train this is to make a dog sit before any interaction, whether verbal or petting. Training that desired behavior will break down every time if people interact with the dog before it sits. Getting a dog to understand that they can't jump on people will then become much harder.
- Some dogs respond poorly to surgeries and are more sensitive when they are not feeling well. Imagine that you don't feel well, but you are also feeling cooped up inside and you need a little fresh air. You won't want to 'entertain' anyone that might approach you on your walk.
- There are those dogs who are scared. Maybe they are afraid of men in hats (it happens) or little boys on bikes (but little girls on scooters are okay). Again, the only way to know is to simply ASK.
To learn more about the project, and ways you can spread the word, click on the link above.
