When you see a cute dog trotting down the street on a leash, it can be pretty hard to resist the urge to reach out and greet it. After all, the dog is on a leash and with their human, so what's the harm?
Well, depending on the dog, an unsolicited head pat can be bad news.
All dogs should be approached with caution and respect — but if you see a yellow ribbon, scarf, or bandanna around a dog's neck or tied to their leash, it means don't approach this dog at all.
It's not because the dog is mean or has bad intentions, but it does mean that this particular dog, for whatever reason, needs their space. Approaching this dog may cause it to act defensively.
A yellow ribbon, bandanna, or vest can also indicate that the dog isn't good with kids or with other dogs, or has anxiety or excitement issues.
Sometimes, dogs who have experienced abuse will act out if they feel threatened.
Dogs who have suffered through this are just as sweet and loving as any other dog, but often need time and support to get used to healthy relationships with humans. An unexpected reach from a stranger can send them into a panic.
So that's where the yellow ribbons come in. The Yellow Dog Project seeks to educate people about the proper, safe, and respectful ways to approach dogs, and to raise awareness about Dogs In Need Of Space (DINOS).
Have you ever seen a dog with a yellow ribbon? If not, read on to learn what to do if you ever see one.
[H/T: I Heart Dogs]
Dogs wearing a yellow ribbon, bandanna, or other accessory means that this particular dog needs space, and needs to be approached with caution.
Sometimes it means it's better not to approach them at all.
The Yellow Dog Project uses yellow ribbons and bandanas to educate people of all ages about safe ways to approach strange dogs to avoid potentially getting injured and causing undue stress to the dog.
They hope that this movement will make people more aware of dogs' behavior and reactions to keep everyone safe.
"The Yellow Dog Project was created to bring awareness to the general public about dogs who need space while training, recovering from surgery, or being rehabilitated," the founders explain on Facebook.
Not only do they have a social media presence, but they also offer courses and workshops about recognizing when a dog is and isn't interested in interaction, and the best ways to approach a dog you don't know.
The most important thing to know about approaching a dog, whether or not they're wearing yellow, is to always ask the owner if it's alright to pet the dog.
And the movement has been catching on. The Yellow Dog Project's Facebook page now has members and fans from all over the world.
Dogs that need space include dogs with health issues or who are recovering from illness or injury, dogs being rehabilitated from abusive or traumatic situations, skittish dogs learning how to socialize, and dogs who are being trained to be rescue or service dogs.
The yellow marker doesn't have to be a ribbon. As the dog above shows, a bandanna works, too!
Other people take a very direct approach and include a message on their dogs' accessories. There's no question about what these dogs need.
This dog has a special yellow leash explaining exactly what its issue is.
The Yellow Dog Project doesn't want people to be afraid of dogs, but rather to understand that just like people, dogs need to have their personal space and boundaries respected, and may have underlying issues that aren't immediately visible.
You should always approach any strange dog with caution and respect, and always ask their owner if reaching out or petting the dog is OK before reaching toward it.
The Yellow Dog Project hopes to make yellow ribbons, as well as general dog safety, known all over the world so that dogs, kids, and grown-ups alike can all stay safe and have better, more understanding relationships.
Promote awareness by checking out The Yellow Dog Project's website, as well as their Facebook, and SHARE this valuable information with everyone you know!
