What would you think if you saw this dog?

[Tailbetweenlegs]

I’ve bought my dog a bright yellow harness and lead that say I NEED SPACE and NERVOUS in big letters. I got it because he’s a nervous rescue and doesn’t like strange dogs approaching, and can be nervous of people getting too close/if they startle him (he barked and snapped at a woman the other week who I didn’t see come running behind me which prompted me to buy this).
We’re working with a trainer and he’s improved a bit but I think there will always be a management aspect to his behaviour (fairly sure he’s not bitten anyone in his history, not let off the lead, he’s never around children so I don’t think he’s a danger to anyone).

I walked him in his new outfit today and a man rolled his eyes and dramatically jumped out of the way, a woman stopped me to ask if he was nervous (really!) and a woman with a dog walked right past with her dog staring at mine. I normally walk in quiet places, this was just a quick trip round the block and happened to be busier than normal.

So should I not bother with an I NEED SPACE lead/harness. I’m interested to hear how it comes across and what you’d think if you saw a dog in this/if you’d notice. I just mean it as a warning so people give us a bit of a wide berth so they aren’t startled if they get barked at by quite a big dog. I don’t expect people to go massively out of their way to avoid us (he’s on a short lead anyway) but I’m worried it comes across as passive aggressive or will invite attention which is the opposite of what I want. Dog people and dog haters (I know there’s a lot on here) what would you think?

@LolaSmiles

inappropriateraspberry I think the issue is that some people think using a coloured lead is enough of a precaution for a dog who is liable to snap.

My friend's dog is lovely, but nervous. She uses a lead with nervous on because her dog is better being left alone. She doesn't want strangers or random dogs approaching.. Her dog isn't dangerous and the lead is because her dog's walk is better and happier if people and other dogs don't bother her.

There's other people who have a dog who is likely to be reactive, likely to snap, etc. They want a bubble around their dog and some of these people stick a yellow lead on their dog and then think that if someone passes on the pavement and their dog snaps that everyone else should have known known keep away from their snappy dog.
It's this second group who are problematic.

I wouldn't know the difference in coloured leads or harnesses. I appreciate the warnings on the lead, and it would keep me away, but having 'nervous' and 'I need space' relates to me as 'caution' and 'dangerous.' But it would work and keep me away.

@sillysmiles Yes I know dogs need walking etc, but perhaps there is a better way than down a busy road.
Or don't be surprised that people are looking to read the harness or wondering what the dog is like.

inappropriateraspberry
It works for me too and I keep away.

I'm just very wary of people thinking that if they put a certain harness on then the responsibility to avoid being snapped at lies with the general public to prioritise looking at any dog in the vicinity to check their leads and harnesses, rather than the owner.

From a distance, you can’t always see a yellow lead or even if the dog is on a lead, so sometimes these leads and harnesses aren’t all that clear from a distance. There are also a few different things that a yellow harness/coat/lead, it could be assistance dogs or nervous or just general high vis. Both our dogs are black and particularly in winter they wear high vis coats to be visible, it’s not because they’re nervous although I’m not fussed if people don’t bother them.

When I see a dog on lead, I’ll put mine on lead. If I see the nervous coat/harness/lead then I’ll sit my dogs down and give them a treat while you pass. I can’t stop them staring at your dog though If I don’t see the nervous lead, then we will continue walking towards you with our dogs on lead. I would say at that point if we’ve not noticed your lead, it’s not because we don’t care it’s just we haven’t noticed and so if that isn’t enough space for your dog, I would expect you to stop and give your dog the space it needs until we’ve passed.

I sometimes walk a neighbours dog and she had a yellow harness and a thin coat stating she is nervous and to keep away.

People, well idiots, still try to approach her, or worse allow their children to run up to her. Sadly when we live in a world where people will touch paint if they see a sign that says “wet paint” we can’t be surprised when they are irresponsible.

I cycle on country lanes a lot. I would have no idea what a particular harness meant and would not see any writing until I was level, which might be too late. If a dog is likely to go for me, my (reasonable) expectation is that the dog is properly controlled via muzzling or the owner having it on a very short lead.

Have not RTFT but honestly, I would think he was some sort of emotional support dog and that the I NEED SPACE and NERVOUS messages related to you...!

@Bryonyshcmyony

On lead I totally agree. Off lead no, I wouldn't automatically recall without the owner telling me to, and even then I'd suggest they put their dog on a lead if he was reactive.

He isn't reactive. He just doesn't want some bounding over friendly dog in his space when he is minding his own business

I haven't RTFT but I know what yellow harness means so even without the writing on I would keep my dog away. I think it's a good thing to wear the harness.

Dog owner- I think these leads are really useful.

Some of the responses here are ridiculous. If the dog is so far away that you cant see the yellow harness then it is probably fair to say you are too far away for there to be an issue!

And yes of course it the ultimate responsibility for the dog lies with the owner. But

• As a society, we can all take reasonable measures to be helpful to each other. I wouldnt expect people to have to go completely out of their way but nothing wrong with asking people to give the dog a little more space than they might do automatically

-There are in fact lots of people who love dogs and like to say hello, so it is good for those to know not to approach

• While mumsnet expects all dogs to have perfect recall at all times,this is something that can take time to get perfect so if you have a puppy or young dog who is still learning then you would know to keep your dog on a lead

Also, in terms of runners, I would expect runners to generally give any pedestrians a bit of a wide berth coming past as it can be quite intimidating to have someone rush past a few inches away even if you aren't a nervous dog!

I don't particularly like dogs and I try to ignore them and avoid looking at them as attention seems to encourage them to bound up with their horrible muddy paws and slobbery jaws so I would be unlikely to notice a harness.

If I did notice, I would assume it meant not to approach your dog rather than to go out of my way to avoid passing it. As many others have said, if your dog can't cope with passing someone on the pavement, it's your responsibility to make space, not other people's.

I wouldn’t bat an eyelid as I’ve seen this alot - I’d give as much space as I could.

I love the idea of your dog going out in “his new outfit”. That made me smile

Well I would respect it and I'm not a dog owner or person in the least. But surely it's obvious, just common sense. I would expect you to give us a wide berth rather then you expecting us to dash out of the way though.

But then I also do not allow my children to approach dogs without asking first, and even then I'm right on top of them - they're only 5 and 3 - and don't let them get in dogs faces etc if the owner says it's ok to give them a gentle stroke. Equally I don't expect off lead dogs to bound over to my kids and leap around to cries of 'he's friendly!'.

Just a bit of courtesy keeping safety in mind is all it takes on everyone's part!

I wouldn’t approach the dog or let my children approach it. I would treat it the same as if we saw a guide dog- the dog is busy, it has its own shit going on, it doesn’t have time for me. We don’t have a dog anymore but I wouldn’t allow it near yours if we did.

Having had a rescue dog and a puppy from new, I know you’ve done the right thing in going down the ‘Yellow Dog’ route. It’s just common sense & well done to you for showing initiative.

Unfortunately it does backfire because people do tend to gravitate towards it which is ironic.

Going to send you a PM regarding another item you may find handy.

@BelterDelta

If you think you have anything which would help me with my anxious charge, I would love a pm too.

Thank you in hope.

A dog that snaps at people when startled is dangerous. Sorry. You were lucky with the runner, you had him on a short lead and he couldn’t reach.

It may be a different story if a child grabs him from behind or scoots up alongside him out of nowhere (they shouldn’t but it happens, I’ve had kids grab and hug my massive dog without asking, luckily he doesn’t startle and likes people).

@GlassOnTheLawn if a child grabs him from behind, that is negligence on the part of the parent not the dog owner.

I'd keep my distance.
It would be stupid to ignore a sign warning you about a dog, that's just asking for trouble.

I'm a dog fan and a dog owner. To be honest the yellow harnesses look like PAT harness or other therapy dog ones and you can't always tell until you get close.
I'd expect any snapper especially a large breed to be muzzled.

I do appreciate that you tend to walk your dog where possible in quiet areas though and he is on a short lead. There are a few dogs like that here, they mostly get walked early or I see them when I'm out running late on.
Kids are attracted like magnets to my dog. Most ask can they pet him (he absolutely loves kids) but the odd one does come and poke at his tail, thankfully he just licks them but if you upset or scare any creature they might react . That is obviously a parent issue not a dog issue but the poor dog will come out the worst if they get upset.
Ddog generally knows which dogs to give space to . Or he hides behind me.

Our dog has a nervous harness and matching lead, but it doesn't stop the dick heads. I'm constantly amazed at how many people don't seem to understand the common courtesy that if you see a dog on a lead, put yours on a lead before you cross paths and before your dog approaches. What it does help with though, is that there's a bit more understanding if she barks as people walk past or snaps at a dog.

epponneee
I agree, if the child grabs then that's on the parents. I can't stand parents who allow their children to run up to/grab/shout at dogs.
However if a dog is startled enough to snap by a runner going past then it stands that it's liable to be startled and snap by anyone who might not see or notice the lead/harness.

Saying "but I had a yellow lead on" isn't an excuse if a dog snaps or bites someone.

I do appreciate that you tend to walk your dog where possible in quiet areas though and he is on a short lead

Unfortunately where are the "quiet" areas are becoming increasingly less so. Dog walkers seem to be meeting up with their charges, so you have 3-4 walkers with 3-4 dogs meeting up. Not ideal at all and not quite in the spirit of the council restrictions on numbers of dogs a registered walker can walk. Not only is it a pain for non-dog-loving runners like me, it's a pain for people wanting to socialise their dogs gently.