Yellow Dog Project

[Bossybritches22]

Fab idea

Just been sent this by a friend with a rehomed dog she is trying to settle in, sounds a great idea anyone tried it?

[Scuttlebutter]

There have been several posts about it here in the Doghouse.

We have a reactive, elderly greyhound. We are working with a trainer using BAT which is helping enormously, but in the meantime he is wearing a yellow bandana when we go out.

Generally, the essence of BAT is that we help him keep a comfortable distance from other dogs, so it's hard to say.
However, sadly, it doesn't seem to have stopped the numpty element - had one on Thursday who was so busy talking on his mobile I think our dog could have been wearing a yellow neon bodysuit and I could have been naked but for a yellow feather in my bottom, and he wouldn't have noticed (and his huge, boisterous Malamute had zero recall . Today, a woman in the park had her two large poodles off lead in the designated on lead area and they were racing everywhere. One of the problems is that with the numpties, either they don't pay attention (like mobile guy) or like poodle woman, they just let dogs off lead and are miles away themselves. And of course, nobody has told the dogs that they must stay clear of yellow dogs!

But it's a fairly new thing, and of course it will take time to become better known. I see references to it regularly on Facebook etc. but I move in very "doggy" circles.

[Bossybritches22]

Ah well always some stupid muppets around eh? The owners that is not the pooches!

New things take a while to get around up here in Lincolnshire but I'm sure this will take off!

[hennipenni]

My nephew is trying to promote this in his area, the problem is that many other dog walkers have absolutly no idea what it means so a big education push is needed.

My dog is very nervous around other dogs and I'm seriously thinking of getting him a shirt thing telling people to give my dog space from you and your dog. In other words he doesn't appreciate the collie this morning rounding him up and making him yelp in fear when she chased him despite me asking for the dog to be recalled. having been attacked twice in different places we are running out of places where we can let him off lead safely. for this reason alone I really hope Yellow Dog catches on.

[TantrumsAndBalloons]

I am trying this with NewDog, but a lot of people do not pay the slightest bit of attention to their surroundings and seem oblivious to the fact that other dogs do not react well to out of control dogs jumping all over them and seem to think its ok, because they "just want to play"

I try and make sure that we only walk at quieter times, and always in the lead designated area but other owners think lead designated does not apply to them.

[Bossybritches22]

Yes, yet again examples of badly informed trained owners rather than dogs.

My Goldie wouldn't hurt a fly but is a bouncy "hello are you a new friend" type of pooch so I'm always wary when I see unknown new dogs until I'm sure their owners are OK with her approaching their dog. Luckily we live in a small villge so we know most of the regulars on our walks.

[RedwingWinter]

I've been sceptical of the yellow dog thing so I'm interested to hear whether it works in practice. The reason I'm not keen is that I think everyone should respect other people and their dogs, regardless of whether they have a ribbon or not. I don't think the people who are totally unaware of what their dog is up to, or have no recall, will pay much attention to a ribbon.

I shouted at someone's big bouncy dog to go away yesterday. It did. Maybe I am just too bossy and don't mind giving instructions to other people's dogs when their owners are nowhere in sight ;).

[Bossybritches22]

I agree Redwing but I guess it's a start for those of us who have good awareness of our dogs & other peoples.

I tend NOT to put leads on when meeting strange dog unless asked to, (but I do call to heel) as the dynamics change & certainly some dogs get more defensive when faced with a strange dog & they're on the lead. They usually sort themselves out, & I watch the body language carefully.

So if I could see a ribbon I'd willingly divert down another route or put my dog on the lead rather than upset another dog & owner.

But the eejits who can't control their dog are bound to be the ones who would ignore a 6ft fuck off sign around the owners neck so you can't win!!!

[RedwingWinter]

I'm like you Bossybritches, I keep an eye on the dogs around. I also live somewhere small so (except in summer and on bank holiday weekends) we know most of the dogs around here.

I have yet to see someone with a yellow ribbon but there seem to be lots of people who like the scheme. Trouble is I will want to stop and ask them how it's working but I'll know the ribbon means to keep my dog away, so I won't get chance!

I suppose if your dog needs a yellow ribbon then even if it only works one person, that's worth it because it's saved the dog a scary encounter. So maybe I should revise my scepticism.

[TheCunnyFuntIsAGrittersFiancee]

My dog is a yellow dog, he wears a yellow bandana I bought from here. I live in Lincolnshire too :)

[Scuttlebutter]

I was horribly sceptical about it to start with, for exactly the reasons others have listed, and because the two examples I gave were of dog owners who HAD NO CLUE.
But I persevere because it's new and still building momentum, and there will be lots of lovely dog owners who will gradually get the message, and hopefully will realise that I'm not being rude when I don't want to talk or let our dogs play. I suppose it's like picking up poo - most responsible dog owners do but there are still a minority of fuckwits who don't and give the rest of us a very bad name.

[Thumbtack]

I posted about this about a week ago - excellent idea, Im trying to raise awareness by putting posters up and handing out ribbons

[SpicyPear]

As the owner of two sometimes over friendly dogs I really like it, but haven't seen anyone locally using it.

Older girl will now wait until I've checked with the owner and released her to play or put her back on lead. Pup is still learning though and a lot of friendly dogs are on leads here because of poor recall/fox poo rolling/scavenging etc so it would be helpful to know when a dog really does need space so I make be absolutely sure he doesn't get too close to them. We are doing most of our off lead work in the local park as I know the majority of dogs now but it would be very helpful in new places.

[Frettchen]

I generally think best practice is to keep your dog away from any other dog on lead... If a yellow ribbon simply helps people notice that the dog is on lead, then that's a win. If it takes off and becomes common knowledge around the dog community then even better!!!

I wonder whether it would be possible to get the picture printed out and put in dog-heavy places to spread awareness...

[Thumbtack]

Frettchen - you can download/ print posters off the yellow dog uk website, I've done this and put them up in my pub!

[maybeyoushoulddrive]

I have to confess to never having heard of this, so would probably just have thought they were a fashion thing if I'd seen them around here.

I do think it's a good idea though, something instantly recognisable. Needs lots of publicity - I will mention it whenever I get the opportunity now.