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?

[Concerned2021]

People can be funny about dogs 🤣drives me crazy my dog is fine but he is a big dog and people literally jump out the way, practically jump in the road away from him but then others put there hands out to him/ try to stroke him and are obsessed with him wish there was a middle ground !

[Mulhollandmagoo]

I have a nervous dog, he doesn't snap but he cowers and shakes and is visibly upset, I don't ever let him off a lead as he would dart if he was panicked and I get so frustrated at other dogs off leads approaching us and their owners shouting 'its ok, he's friendly'

I really want that colour coded lead thing to become a proper thing that everyone has to do. I would respect that you didn't want people near your dog so would stay away

[TallFriendlyGinger]

I think its a good idea, I would see the lead or harness and give you both some space. It let's people know not to approach you as many people do to try and pet your dog or let their dog up to yours. Having a nervous or reactive dog doesn't mean you are never allowed out the house.

[UntilYourNextHairBrainedScheme]

Vallmo47 The OP asked what people would think - answering that question is the opposite of a tangent! A tangent isn't just any opinion different to yours!

[ravenmum]

Oh, and I think it's a good idea. My dog doesn't mind people running at all, but I know it's a common problem for dog owners. So when I'm running, if I see a dog I keep out of the way - but if I saw a dog in full getup I'd be more careful.

[Didiusfalco]

It’s a good idea, but I still think you need to muzzle the dog. The dogs anxiety is your problem to manage. By not muzzling you are making his behaviour problem my or another passerby’s problem.

[LolaSmiles]

I'm happy to control my dog, but owners of potentially aggressive dogs need to be taking all precautions and responsibility
That's how I feel. I'm happy to keep out the way and keep my dogs out the way. I'm not happy about reactive dogs being muzzle free if they're prone to snapping at people.

[coronabeer]

Also, it wasn't clear whether it was the lady or the dog staring at you. Maybe the lady might have wanted to ask about the dog, maybe give some words of encouragement? (Having a rescue, I am always interested in other rescue dogs). Just smile and nod and hopefully things will get better for you and your dog

What kind of dog is he?

[Blossomtoes]

a woman with a dog walked right past with her dog staring at mine

Oh dear. That’s where you totally lost me.

[SirenSays]

I'd give you and your dog space, I've thought about getting one for my dog hating dog but tbh the people who let their dogs run free to approach us are usually drunken muppets so I'm not sure it would make much difference.

[SheldonesqueWontTolerateFools]

You are absolutely doing the right thing OP.

Please keep with your harness and warning notices.

It helps the rest of us massively.

I walk a reactive scared hound. Generally they are fine unless another dog is off lead. Mostly.

If I see a yellow lead, scarf, hi-via, we give an extra wide berth.

That way, the dog I walk doesn’t spook if growled at or the body language isn’t quite right. The dog in yellow feels more comfortable.

And neither dog is set up to fail. Which will hopefully achieve a more relaxed walking experience come time.

Everyone wins with an early warning system.

[crystaltips98]

A muzzle in more likely to initiate people giving a wide berth. It will also protect you and your dog if it snaps in a moment of anxiety.

[cadburyegg]

YANBU to use a harness but not everyone will be close enough to read it

he barked and snapped at a woman the other week who I didn’t see come running behind me
You need to muzzle your dog, I’m a runner and whilst I give dogs as much space as I can, it’s your responsibility to control your dog

[KarmaViolet]

I really appreciate these. A dog walker in our nearby park has one for her dog which says ANXIOUS DOG on it.

DD gets too friendly with dogs and then gets disproportionately scared if they jump up and think she's playing, and I'm trying to teach her not to approach dogs without asking the owner first. She does understand that a dog in a hi-viz is either working, so we mustn't distract it, or is an anxious dog, so we must give it more personal space.

[BungleandGeorge]

If he ‘snapped’ at a lady running up behind you the lead wouldn’t do anything would it? She was probably looking where she was going rather than reading the harness (which presumably isn’t visible from behind anyway). Many people wouldn’t be aware what it was at a glance. If the dog is ‘snapping’ at any person for any reason it needs a muzzle in public I think? People do keep away from muzzled dogs ime.

[TiptopJ]

I'm slightly nervous of dogs. I used to have a full blown phobia of them but I've managed to get myself past that and now I'm comfortable walking past them and okay with them having a sniff of me to say hello although I'm still very much aware of them when I'm passing them if that makes sense. I've seen the leads your talking about and for me they're very helpful. I'd know to give your dog extra space so it doesn't scare me by jumping or barking at me and I don't scare the dog by my over reaction to being jumped at which is a reflex reaction to my caution around them

[Nightbear]

I distract my dog with a treat if I’m going past a dog that looks obviously tense or where I can see the owner is trying to distract it. She does stare at dogs because she’s desperate to say hello and it freaks some dogs out. Having had a reactive dog in the past maybe I’m more aware of the signs of stress in the dog (and the owner.)

[Greenrubber]

I don't have a dog and don't get lead etiquette
I would not know what different leads meant
I do not however get close to dogs as I'm usually with my 4 year old and I'm weary
But I think it would be impossible for you to avoid people on your walks so I think other posters are right in saying your dog should be muzzled just incase
Sorry I'm not any help

[youngandbroken]

I would be more comfortable seeing a dog with a harness like that than I am with the owners who allow their dogs to simply run up to whoever and think shouting "it's OK they're friendly" makes that OK! The harness shows that a) you are being a responsible dog owner and b) means that people can see to give the dog space! I don't think its fair to muzzle a dog that has never bitten anyone and is just nervous..

[andweallsingalong]

I think it's a good idea, but think there needs to be more awareness.

Round here I usually get a strange look for giving a wide berthed to dogs with yellow harnesses / leads / accessories only to be told they're perfectly friendly the owner just liked the colour / visibility and hadn't heard yellow = nervous / reactive.

I wish they'd do more luminous / bright colours for those who just like them.

[MeridasMum]

I think, if your dog is nervous and needs space, the onus is on you to avoid people, not on them.

If I saw you when I was walking with my young children I'd expect (if he's that bad) that you should stop and hold him by the collar until we are safely past.

[ChrissyPlummer]

I would give you and DDog space and not approach. However YABU about the other dog “staring”, that’s what dogs do, they can’t read. I would keep my DDog away though.

[IndigoHexagon]

@Justforphoto

If you need space for your dog I'd expect you to find the space not expect me walking mine to do so but the harness and lead would stop me approaching you at all, not take offence when you turn away from us and mean I wouldn't think anything of it if your dog started barking and straining. I do however think you are unreasonable to expect other people to go out of their way at all to avoid you.

I was going to write this almost exactly. The onus is on you to move away from approaching people, not for them to see the garbed/lead and move out of your way.

[Gavellar]

I would see it and make an effort not to cause the dog alarm, maybe fleetingly think about what awful experience it had at the hands of humans, maybe that the rescuer is an angel and then go about my business without registering it. You are right, people are so weird. It's like the sniffer dogs at Heathrow, everyone distracting them thinking what lovely people tge handler must think they are rather than noticing the eye roll and gritted teeth!

[73kittycat73]

Honestly? I would have thought it was referring to you and that s/he was a therapy dog!