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?

Put a muzzle on the dog- that’s a clear warning and you will get all the space you desire and probably a bit more.

I know what it means and would give you a wide berth, placing myself between my child and my dog and yours, because I want my child and dog to stay safe. I would find it very rude if you didn’t also try to give us as much space as possible.

If your dog snapped at me while I was running I would be really pissed off with you. I always warn anyone I’m coming up behind that I’m there, and if a dog looks a bit antsy I’ll walk past. But I do expect dog owners to keep their dogs off me (not that all of them do). I wouldn’t see a yellow harness as making any difference to my expectations there.

@Tailbetweenlegs I also think totally the right thing and as a regular dog walker I do take note and am respectful of the dogs boundaries.

Off lead dogs should not be approaching on lead dogs full stop.

I have befriended a local dog whose owner works at a shelter-this dog has suffered unspeakable things-suspect bait dog and endless litters and she is naturally wary of dogs. Not aggressive-terrified.
She is also very sweet and loves attention from ppl.

Lots of stories behind dogs-it's not always because the dog is aggressive!!

@Squirrelblanket

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

Yes that's a bit nuts. Dogs tend to look at other dogs.

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.
WTF

If I see any dog on any lead, yellow or plain coloured, I would keep my dog away. My dog is a little bit nervous as in jumpy but would never snap at anyone, she will bolt or barks from a distance.
I’ve had several dogs with ignorant owners allowing their dogs to charge around and surprise my dog by running directly at her. It’s intimidating and really pisses me off that people then scowl if my dog barks. She’s terrified of your arsehole dog who clearly never had social puppy training.
I regularly use a lead with her if I see a dog approaching that I know she will be afraid of, and she will then walk to heel beside me.
To everyone saying the dog should be muzzled, why? Muzzles are really uncomfortable and if the dog is fine walking along, providing it’s not antagonised by someone, then why bother. I’d never approach a dog on a lead who I don’t know, and I tell my LO not to either. Not all dogs are friendly.
OP, if your dog is reacting to anyone who walks past then you know you have a problem and are probably using treats/training to help your dog cope. I think it’s just one of those things, ignorant people are everywhere, not everyone will pay attention to your lead.

I'm a dog owner.

I would respectfully give a wide berth and be thankful of the warning.

I also have a nervous dog (along with her pal who is super friendly) but she is only nervous around bigger dogs, as she was attacked by a large dog when she was a puppy and unfortunately it made her a nervous wreck, she is slowly getting better. I had a nervous collar for a while but it was largely ignored. So I am back to explaining to everyone with a large dog, that her barks are because she is scared not because she is aggressive.

To be fair this is probably the best approach as a couple of people have just remained talking to me and she has eventually calmed down and even had a little play with their bigger dogs once she realises they are not a threat.

However it depends why your dog is nervous and if it is towards people I would definitely have a warning collar/lead etc.

Don't worry about the man dramatically jumping out of the way-what a dick!

You can teach a dog a ‘watch me’ command and get them to look at you. This is a very handy thing to know when passing dogs with issues, such as the OP’s dog. However, not all dogs will have been trained to do this, and even if they have it’s not foolproof - my dog knows how to do it but he’s 14 and deaf, so actually getting his attention can be challenging these days. So I don’t think it’s reasonable to expect no dog to ever look at yours.

If I saw it I would give you a wide berth, so it might do the job with most people.

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.

Wtf!

So people should only have dogs that have had a perfect upbringing? This is a RESCUE dog that has probably being through some intense abuse during its life and someone has kindly giving the dog a second chance and a loving home, and just by the nature of the post OP is doing everything to make sure the dog and other remain safe.

What is your answer? To kill all dogs who are not 100% obedient? Through no fault of their own? Get a fucking grip.

Amazed by the following:

• the number of people saying they have "nervous" or "anxious" rescue dog. Are these animals actually suitable as pets?

• people who think anyone other than a dog owner would/should so much as notice what colour harness a dog has, let alone know that the colour signifies anything. I am completely disinterested in dogs and generally ignore them when out walking. I would have no idea at all what harness colours mean.

The general public are not required to be knowledgable or interested in dogs.

Honestly those kinds of reactions are pretty common unfortunately.

I have recently taken on a rescue. He is really friendly but has no training or manners. It's not a dangerous situation like yours could potentially be, but because I'm training him not to go nuts everytime he sees another dog, I need space from other dog walkers so I can keep him below threshold.

The only thing that I have found that works, is actively avoiding people. I literally cross the road to avoid getting too close to other dogs, i get my dog to focus on me using his favourite treats, and I will stand between him and the other dog so he can't see the other dog directly. I keep giving treats until the other dog is far enough away that he won't react.

Even actively avoiding people doesn't always work. I've sometimes had people see me double back to a safe distance out of the way, and still approach so their dog can say hello. I've given up asking people not to approach, they tend to back up pretty quickly when he starts barking and lunging.

I suppose the problem is that some people seeing this then take time to read it and are more likely as a result to be closer to your dog and then to talk to you about it than not ! Kind of counter productive.
Bit like a ‘quiet lane’ sign which makes people think ‘oh wonder what’s up there, let’s go have a look’.

I would take the hint and keep my dog away, thinking you were a sensible and responsible dog owner.

people who think anyone other than a dog owner would/should so much as notice what colour harness a dog has, let alone know that the colour signifies anything. I am completely disinterested in dogs and generally ignore them when out walking. I would have no idea at all what harness colours mean.

The OP's dog harness also says I NEED SPACE and NERVOUS in big letters. One assumes you can read.

My dog wouldn't approach another dog anyway but I'd keep him and my DC away.

If he is likely to snap I would definitely consider a muzzle

Intermittent

Yes I can read but my 4 year cannot yet, not well, and my 2 year old can't either. I would also simply not notice the words until I was too close.

@NoIDontWatchLoveIsland

Amazed by the following:

• the number of people saying they have "nervous" or "anxious" rescue dog. Are these animals actually suitable as pets?

• people who think anyone other than a dog owner would/should so much as notice what colour harness a dog has, let alone know that the colour signifies anything. I am completely disinterested in dogs and generally ignore them when out walking. I would have no idea at all what harness colours mean.

The general public are not required to be knowledgable or interested in dogs.

@NoIDontWatchLoveIsland
Rescue dogs generally are nervous and anxious because they have often being through horrific abuse by other humans. Good people then go on to care and provide homes for these dogs.

They may not be ideal pets but they are living creatures - if people shouldn't have them as pets, what is your answer?

If you hate dogs so much and are not interested why are you even commenting on his thread.

By the way you sound lovely.

I do agree with pp if as you say your dog snapped at someone you really do need to muzzle it, keep the harness but do be aware that not everyone will be able to read it until it's too late. I have a nervous dog, we jog on fine but take corners wide as I know if we bumped into another dog she would be startled and bark defensively, also are you checking your body language, if you tense upon encountering someone coming towards you with a dog your dog will pick up on it.

@NoIDontWatchLoveIsland

Amazed by the following:

• the number of people saying they have "nervous" or "anxious" rescue dog. Are these animals actually suitable as pets?

• people who think anyone other than a dog owner would/should so much as notice what colour harness a dog has, let alone know that the colour signifies anything. I am completely disinterested in dogs and generally ignore them when out walking. I would have no idea at all what harness colours mean.

The general public are not required to be knowledgable or interested in dogs.

Many rescue dogs are nervous/anxious at least when first rescued. They have at best had their lives disrupted and been taken away from the surroundings they are used- and in many cases they have suffered neglect and abuse. This is one of the reason that most will not allow people with young children to adopt a rescue dog. With love, patience and care most rescue dogs overcome their anxiety but they need training to do this- which involves safely getting used to walks/strangers/other dogs etc.

I can only speak for myself but I do not expect other people to be interested in or knowledgeable about my dog. However, I know that a lot of people like dogs and might want to pet mine and/or introduce their dog to mine. A visible clue that he's not ready for this is helpful. However, many people ignore that, and also ignore me telling them clearly that he does not wish to be approached. I muzzle mine when in public (despite him not having bitten) so that if people touch hum on purpose or by accident and he feels threatened he cannot bite.

@NoIDontWatchLoveIsland it’s interesting that you mention the suitability of these dogs as pets.
At the risk of being publicly lynched on mn I sort of agree with what your saying. I had a rescue dog who was nervous. She wore a yellow harness, muzzle, was kept away from anyone and everything etc. We attended more training sessions than I thought possible but the dog never really improved so we just bumbled along.
One day we were walking and someone was passing. I asked the dog to sit, which she did and the woman ran over and sort of grabbed/stroked the dog around the head and had no clue at all that the dog may not have wanted to be touched. The dogs back was to the lady so perhaps she didn’t see the muzzle.
Anyway the dog reacted very very badly and if she wasn’t muzzled the woman would have been hurt.
We also had a few incidents of children almost running up to her which was awful, even being hit by a muzzle as a child would have been painful.
After discussing it with a behaviourist (more than one actually!) we had the dog put to sleep as we had young children and couldn’t take the risk of her escaping or something bad happening (like me falling or something) and someone touching her causing the same reaction.

I also realised owning this dog now clueless people actually are about dogs. Personally I would never touch a dog that was not mine but so so many people do and I felt it was my responsibility to make sure nobody would be hurt by my pet. I’m not saying this is what’s right for everyone’s dog but for me a dog is meant to be a happy addition to the family and sadly for mine she was anything but enjoying life

I would be pleased that you were being a sensible dog owner and give your dog a respectable distance when walking past. I think you've been very unlucky with the odd responses that you've had on your short walk, and with some of the odd and hostile responses here.

I don't think its inviting a discussion nor is it passive aggressive.

@inappropriateraspberry

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

Really? So dogs don't need exercise then?

toomanyjobsin1day she said she's disinterested - so many people seem to jump to the word "hate" on social media, as though there are no stages between unbridled enthusiasm and unconventional love, and hate...

The OP actually asked "dog haters" to comment, and the post is in AIBU not the doghouse...

Yes I can read but my 4 year cannot yet, not well, and my 2 year old can't either. Don't you keep them close anyway when there are other people and dogs around?

I would also simply not notice the words until I was too close.
Bright yellow and great big letters. Not sure how you could 'not notice' those TBH.