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?

unconditional not unconventional!

@Bryonyshcmyony

Be very rude and give not two fucks. My dog will kill yours is very effective

Jesus. If your dog killed my dog it would be you who would be to blame, lead or no lead.

Which is why she was muzzled. And had a warning harness. And I wore high viz and I walked her over a farm at odd times and shouted at people to keep back.

She'd been badly treated by humans.

Which is why you should never let your dog run up to an on lead dog, muzzle, warning leads and harness, high viz, person shouting "she's not friendly, recall your dog regardless.

If your off lead dog does not have good enough recall to come back mid approach to another dog, your dog should not be off lead.

Most dogs could (technically) kill your dog.

I have a nervous reactive dog. He is terrified by bouncing friendly dogs jumping in his face and will snap. I sit him down well to the side to allow space to pass. If an off lead dog with no recall runs at him I turn and walk away. If the dog follows and continues to hassle us chances are it will get a sharp nip. Sometimes a full on scrap breaks out which I have to deal with while the ineffectual owner runs about shouting 'FIDO, come HERE, naughty dog' and lovely Fido ignores them. It's very tedious. Personally I think naughty Fidos need a good nip every now and again to teach them some manners. This isn't a view that goes down well on MN.

OP I feel your pain, but don't waste your money on fancy harnesses. Decent dog owners will read the situation and keep their dog on lead and well away. The rest, well a harness isn't going to change anything with them anyway.

@toomanyjobsin1day

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.

My answer would be to have dangerous and aggressive dogs kept out of public places. I hope that can be done whilst keeping the dogs happy and properly exercised.

Personally I think naughty Fidos need a good nip every now and again to teach them some manners.
I agree. I see a lot of ill-trained and ill-behaved dogs around. I know it isn't their fault, and owners should be better, but you know, red in tooth and claw

Another here advocating warning harness AND muzzle!

I have a dog reactive dog that wears both - to protect him from any false allegations!
Some people could see your warning and cause unnecessary drama.

A family member has one for her dog who isn't nasty/vicious (so no muzzle needed) but she's not used to people. She can be quite anxious, nervous, jumpy etc.

I think it attracts MORE attention.

Often from people who think they know better "awww, you don't need to worry about me, girl" ... cue them sitting on the floor trying to touch the dog 🙄🙄🙄

I think it is a responsible thing to do. I would know not to let me children ask for a stroke and would keep my dogs away.
with regard to whether the dog should be muzzled, I think it depends on how reactive it is and how much you control you have. If you mean it snaps when people touch it or go right up to its face, I think the onus is on them not to do that. Some dogs are nervous and defensive but not actually aggressive and if that's the case I dont think they need muzzling. and a muzzle wont stop them barking and might make them feel more nervous.

However, if it reacts to people/dogs who might be a metre or more away then a muzzle could be worth considering. Also if it is a strong dog that could get away from you, or has any history of biting I'd also get a muzzle. My dog was once attacked and badly hurt by a dog on a lead that got loose. My dog was a large german shepherd and he needed emergency vet treatment. I hate to think what the outcome would be if he'd been a small dog.

Can we just make sure that at least every person in this thread understands...

If a dog is on a lead - any lead, pink, purple, bright yellow - recall your dog.

An off lead dog approaching any on lead dog is in danger and creating a potentially dangerous situation - irrespective of the temperament of the dogs.

It's a simple rule. It's common courtesy. There is always a reason a dog is on a lead. You don't need to know why. Recall your dog.

If you can't recall your dog, it's your responsibility to teach it this - for the safely of your dog and others.

Drives me bananas that people don't get this.

@Shannith

Can we just make sure that at least every person in this thread understands...

If a dog is on a lead - any lead, pink, purple, bright yellow - recall your dog.

An off lead dog approaching any on lead dog is in danger and creating a potentially dangerous situation - irrespective of the temperament of the dogs.

It's a simple rule. It's common courtesy. There is always a reason a dog is on a lead. You don't need to know why. Recall your dog.

If you can't recall your dog, it's your responsibility to teach it this - for the safely of your dog and others.

Drives me bananas that people don't get this.

This 100% but I would go further and say any dog. Not just on lead dogs. Dogs shouldn't approach an off lead dog either without the ok from the owner. My dog hasn't got any interest with dogs and it pisses both me and him off when a dog comes bounding over just because he is off lead.

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.

Shannith
Responsible dog owners already do this.The issue here isn't irresponsible owners not recalling off lead dogs.
The issue is that some people think a coloured lead or harness is a substitute for appropriate safety measures.
If someone is placed in danger in the event they don't see the colour of a dog's lead, then the owner has not done enough as an owner.

As a pedestrian, I should be able to walk along the pavement without dogs running up to me, without dogs jumping up at me, and without dogs snapping at me. I should be able to run and pay attention to my run without risking being snapped at. I should be able to go for a walk and have my attention on my children without an unmuzzled dog snapping at me, and it's owner saying "maybe you should have paid more attention to my dog's lead colour". Simple as that. The responsibility lies with the dog owners.

If your dog snapped at someone then you need to fit a soft muzzle, otherwise it's irresponsibly dangerous.

There is a lady with one of those on her dog here. When I see her I make my bouncing toad sit and wait until she has walked out of sight.

We met when dog free about a month ago and she thanked me. She was quite surprised that so many people here notice it and give them room. That wasn't always the case where she used to live .

Some people are just inconsiderate numpties, I think.

I have a green sleeve on my dog's lead, says IN TRAINING - so many people wander over, stand close and ask what he is training for.

"To learn some manners" I reply whilst they leap back as he investigates hands, feet, pockets and throws himself into neck stretching zoomies.

It really isn't him who has the greatest to learn, I think.

You have my sympathies.

@UntilYourNextHairBrainedScheme

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...

My apologies.

Just the fact that some people would rather these dogs be euthanised than having any sort of life is very emotive!

I don’t think you can have it both ways complaining that people didn’t give enough room while also complaining someone else gave too much room. I swerve out the way of all dogs and would hope people interpret it as “human nervous of dogs” not go online and moan someone took you at your word. It really is your job to ensure your dog has the adequate space not random pedestrians.

As a dog walker myself, I pay attention to the yellow gear and would avoid you and your dog.

But a dog that snaps should be wearing a muzzle in public at all times.

I'm a dog person. If I noticed, I'd do my best to respect the request for space. The "I NEED SPACE" part might be a bit intimidating, and I'd probably give you a great deal of space, because I'd rather be safe than sorry! (Especially if he's a large dog, I might worry that he could lunge unexpectedly.)

I always keep an eye out for yellow nervous harnesses. I don't leap out of the way or anything I just keep my girl in close to me and walk on. Although if your dog snaps at people rather than just being upset and vocal I would expect you to have him muzzled. It's will protect him from situations that could be disastrous otherwise.

Even if a dog isn't wearing a yellow harness I always ask people before I let my girl approach a dog. And we don't approach people. I really appreciate it when people ask if they can pet her first even though she is totally friendly and always open to pets. It's just good manners.

Dogowner here - several dogs have yellow coats/collars/harnesses and leads around here and I always put my dog on the lead and we give them a wide berth. Why wouldn't you? (not because I am afraid of them but because I appreciate they may well be afraid of me and my dog). I also put my dog on a lead if we are approaching any dog at all that is on the lead as I assume there may well be a reason why the owners do not want them to get into close quarters with another dog.

My own rescue dog came to me absolutely terrified of children (particularly smaller ones), footballs and some people. She has done really well but I still prefer to avoid them if possible (as does she). It is amazing how many people let their children run up behind us on narrow paths or run towards us (but at least we can see them coming), also think nothing of letting their children waving sticks walk very near strange dogs With regard to adults running up behind me, I am quite happy for the dog to growl as one day it may well be an assailant (I walk alone in a forest) - no-one should be getting that close if they can give you a wide berth. Equally, if she occasionally thinks a passer by/nearby walker is suspicious looking (it has happened about 3 times in 4 years), she will let me know and if I think so too, I am not going to deter her from barking if they approach us.

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

I don't hate dogs, but I prioritise the safety of humans. I would suggest that these animals might be better suited to living on farms etc, where much of their exercise could be undertaken on private land with less likelihood of encountering other dogs or people.

I do appreciate there are too many such dogs, I think far too many people take on dog ownership who clearly cannot manage the training etc and the result is huge numbers of adolescent poorly trained dogs facing a lifetime of nervousness/anxiety etc.

However, I do not place the needs of those dogs above the needs of humans.

I firmly believe there should be far fewer people permitted to own dogs. They should be relatively rare as family pets and kept primarily by people with a lot of space & time to devote to training them properly, as opposed to where I live where at least half the neighbouring families own them and almost none are well trained.

"I am a shy dog please do not talk to me".

I’m neither a dog-lover or dog-hater: I’m disinterested in them entirely. As such I’d not particularly look at a dog - if I was walking along talking to a friend or whatever I’d not take much notice of lead colour/harness/muzzle or the dog wearing it, but that’s probably what you’re asking people to do anyway: I’m assuming you’d be making sure there was space rather than expecting others to jump aside for you.
I’d pass by you rather than the dog (but I’d do that anyway, a surprising number of dog owners allow dogs to jump at passers by which is a PITA).

My dc love dogs and always ask the owner if they can stroke them. When I have seen dogs with these outfits I tell them not to approach and not to ask the owner and we talk about why. You'll always get some idiots, but you also won't notice the people who've noticed and taken it on board.

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

Nothing wrong with my eyesight but if I was on one side of a field and the OP and her dog were on the other side, I'd see the colour not the letters. MNers are always so keen to cast aspersions on eyesight instead of using common sense.