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?

It is a great idea! I raised my DS to always ask if he could pet someone's dog because you just don't know if the dog is friendly, in a mood, does not like touch etc. If I saw a dog in this outfit I wouldn't ask and I would give him space.

You are being responsible. Some people are just idiots.

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 would worry hugely about a large animal with behaviour issues significant enough for you to feel that this harness was necessary, being kept as a domestic pet.
Don't be so silly.

Those shouty leads are a bit passive aggressive I really don't see how

OP, some people on here are being daft, as was the man
who rolled his eyes. TBF to the woman I think she might have wanted to initiate a chat about the dog. The other woman staring might not have seen that sort of harness before.

I see a few dogs with these harnesses and just sort of think 'note to self', if anything (I don't approach people's dogs anyway, unless the person invites me and/or the dog looks very obviously as if it's wanting to greet me). I would certainly be careful not to squeeze past you in a narrow space like a pavement if I saw this harness. I think it's a helpful thing for you to do.

Off tangent a bit but no dog should be wearing a soft muzzle for exercise if it holds their mouth shut - they are for very short periods of time, such as a vet examination or injection.

While exercising the dog should be able to pant and breathe normally so the muzzle must allow the dog to open their mouth naturally.

@Snoopysimaginaryfriend

‘a woman with a dog walked right past with her dog staring at mine.’

I get some people are idiots but I can’t dictate what my dog looks at when he’s walking down the road!

It’s also unreasonable to say they ‘walked right past’. Where should they walk? If your dog has the problem you move out of the way.

I completely agree with this.

I think that its a good idea to have these warnings, although people who don't own dogs may not see them until they are close up.

A muzzel - suitable for exercise - is probably much more of a clear signal to most people to keep away.

I think the yellow harness is a great idea.

However, I agree with previous posters that you should keep out of other people's way rather than expecting them to keep out of yours. Not everyone looks where they are going, some people are idiots but also some people are running/cycling and won't have time to read the sign on the harness.

I'd think you were a caring and considerate dog owner and I would make sure to respect your dog's clearly identified needs and give you space. I'd make sure my two gave you a wide berth or would put them on the lead if we were on a narrower path where space was an issue.

People ignoring your harness are idiots.

I would think that I shouldn't approach your dog or let my kids approach it. I wouldn't think any more about it than that.

If I did think any more about it i would probably assume it was a rescue dog that had had a tricky time and would be glad it had found a good owner in you.

These harnesses and jackets are not uncommon where we live.

I would think you were a fantastic dog owner, trying to do the right thing for your dog, other dogs, and people around. It’s quite common to see people with helpful harnesses where I walk my dogs.

If I see another dog on a lead I always immediately put mine on a lead until we get past, also if I see even a hint of yellow on a dog I still put the lead on as quite often you can't tell until you get closer if if it says anything or if it's just a yellow lead/collar.

I have a very friendly dog show likes to approach others, I have met dogs with these harnesses on and we keep a distance. Don’t always notice them though until we’re quite close when walking past on pavement.

There is a dog at our local dog park with a harness like yours. Trouble is, in the dogpark 99% of the dogs are off lead so they naturally go up to a dog on a lead, not in a nasty way but because they are curious and want to sniff/greet the dog on the lead.
The lady then gets angry with all the dogs because they have approached her dog.
Personally if it was my dog I wouldn't take it to the parkif it was that nervous.

I have only noticed dogs wearing these things a couple of times. Both times I was already right beside the dog before I read what they said. People don't ignore them. People are just walking along chatting or doing their own thing. They aren't scanning every dog on the horizon for messages.

I would say if anything maybe an harness with a plaque on the side, like a working dog. People kind of know not to touch a working dog. So they would be alerted by the side plaque more than a lead with writing that could just be a logo

What a load of horrible comments on this thread!

I think what you're doing is great. There was a woman walking a dog around the block where I used to leave who had a 'I'm nervous, give me space' harness on and I always made sure I gave them space if I walked past them.

Seriously it's common sense. If a dog is on a leash in a place where it would normally be running around there is a reason for it. And if you're in a more urban setting, then it's fairly easy to spot a dog in a bright yellow harness. Sorry but if you can't notice that then you probably not pay enough attention to your surroundings when you walk about... And you're more unsafe than this dog.

My dog has one of those, mostly people give us space and it works well. I always cross the road or move out of the way so other people don't have to. Occasionally people come right up to read it and say "What does that say?" I have to walk my dog on the street. If I go to a park or field inevitably there are dogs off lead and my dog does not cope with other dogs approaching.

@inappropriateraspberry

I would also wonder why someone would take out a dog like this if they are so nervous/edgy/dangerous.

Because the dog still needs exercise and to go to the toilet and to work on their training to become less nervous

@Tailbetweenlegs

"I walked him in his new outfit today and a man rolled his eyes and dramatically jumped out of the way"

Personally I think that makes sense, especially if the dog was unmuzzled. I do this when I see dogs, partly because I want to be as far away as them as possible, and partly because most dog owners fail to realise that many people detest dogs, and I want to try to get it through to them that some people are really uncomfortable.

"a woman stopped me to ask if he was nervous (really!)"

She sounds very stupid!

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

The dog was staring or she was staring? I tend to stare at dogs to maximize my reaction time in case they decide to attack me. If a dog is anywhere near me I want it in my direct eyeline (if it is securely tied up to something solid and muzzled I am less wary, but I don't even assume that the owner is capable of holding onto the lead, let alone anything else).

"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'm not sure. It is partially very considerate of you, but it does lead me to wonder why the dog isn't muzzled and is out in public.

"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."

Why aren't you giving people a wide berth if your dog is the problem? Barking dogs startled and scare whether or not you're giving them a wide berth. Why is your dog in public if it scares people?

"I don’t expect people to go massively out of their way to avoid us"

How bloody generous of you. I was wondering whether you might like to phone ahead and ask the park rangers to clear the park of all other dogs and humans before you get there! Seriously - your dog is the problem, keep him as far away from the public as possible please.

"I’m worried it comes across as passive aggressive or will invite attention which is the opposite of what I want"

There is a risk of it attracting dog-lovers who want to know more, and it is also pretty cheeky - you're giving a warning and telling people to stay away, when really you shoul dbe the one taking 100% responsibility for your dog not scaring or attacking others.

Good idea OP! At least those who bother to look/read can't blame you if your dog reacts to them getting too close.

Most people though are not looking at you/your dog or reading messages on it's lead so I'd stick to quiet places as you can't really expect other people to behave in a specific way.

I'm fairly new to dog ownership. We got a rescue who was very timid and I would have bought a yellow lead and harness at the time if I'd known about them but this is the first I've heard.

Mine gets walked off lead now but I put her back on if there is a dog on a lead. It seems most are on one because they are likely to run off.
I also only found this out recently.
She sometimes goes up to an off lead dog to say hello, but more often than not, she gives them a wide berth.

I feel bad because I didn't know and I did tons of research before we got her, and stocked up on everything she might need much of which has never been used
I also read a book all about rescuing the breed!

I have one for my rescue dog- so far I think it has helped because it stops people approaching him for a stroke and alerts parents not to allow their children to run up to him. I think you’re being a responsible dog owner to put your dog in one too.

Obviously I try and walk at quiet times in quiet areas but we can’t avoid people completely so I think it just helps alert people to the fact that he can be reactive. He has never actually bitten anyone but can sound pretty scary when he feels threatened and rears up so it’s easier if people don’t try and fuss him! We’re booked in with a dog behaviourist but it’s work in progress as he’ got previous trauma.

He’s not he’!

Unless you have a dog like that then the average joe doesn’t know there is a colour code system. It’s not common knowledge

How are other dog owners supposed to stop their dogs even LOOKING at yours?! 😂