What does a yellow ribbon on a dog mean?
Have you ever seen a dog wearing yellow and wondered what it meant?
Simply put, a dog wearing a yellow ribbon, scarf or bandana should not be approached and needs space.
Using a yellow ribbon should benefit everyone and make dog walking a more enjoyable, and safer experience for all, and in turn, give your dog a better quality of life.
If you are a dog owner then you may be able to relate: You have probably been in situations where your dog has growled or lunged at someone who was petting him/her without consent.
It can be frustrating when we as owners feel the need to explain what our dogs were feeling and what their intentions were, but sometimes it's just easier to tell them "it's best if you keep away from my dog."
The Yellow Ribbon Project helps to avoid any misunderstandings between human beings and animals which could cause an unfortunate event.
Daily walks are part and parcel of the joys of owning a dog. For the majority, they should be stress-free, enjoyable occasions with you and your pup.
There are, however, times when innocent interactions with strangers can lead to bad outcomes.
For dog lovers, it's second nature to want to interact with another dog, but in certain circumstances, any type of interaction may lead to adverse reactions.
There are many reasons why your dog should not be approached - of course, you know these reasons but others don't.
It’s not always clear!
Creating awareness of the yellow ribbon helps educate others than yellow does not immediately mean your dog is aggressive. There are a number of reasons why a dog may be wearing the ribbon, and many of them have nothing to do with aggression.
Possible reasons include:
I'm recovering from a surgery or injury
I'm in season
I'm old and tired
I'm scared
I'm not well
I'm insecure
I'm in training
I'm deaf and blind
I'm being trained by a professional dog trainer
Unfortunately, verbal warning leaves things too late so the yellow ribbon/scarf catches the eye and alerts the passer-by from a distance.
The Yellow Dog project provides on comers with a visual warning to keep their distance, preventing potential stressful situations for both you, your dog and fellow walkers.
A dog's safety is always a priority. You never know when they might be in the midst of an episode that could result in injury, or if they have any other medical conditions that require special care. But there are also many dogs who wear yellow ribbons to indicate their temperament and whether you should approach them with caution.
Should I use the yellow ribbon all the time?
The yellow ribbon or bandana can be used for short periods – for instance, if a dog is in training or on heat – as well as longer periods, like when a dog is elderly and does not like young, energetic dogs around him.
Too often, dog owners feel they need to limit the public walks for fear of others approaching the dog. If the yellow ribbon is used, approaching from their side and slowly, any mishaps can be avoided altogether!
The yellow ribbon or bandana should not replace a leash when out in public spaces. Owners are responsible for keeping dogs on a leash at all times outside of their private property.
Ribbons should be used in combination with a good positive reinforcement training program and support from a dog behaviour consultant.
The wearing of yellow is a simple and effective small change that can make such a big difference for people and their pets in the long run.