A new movement to improve the socialization of dogs with some type of physical or behavioral problem is known as the Yellow Dog Project . It consists of placing a yellow bow on his neck or leash, which aims to identify dogs that need a little space, thus communicating, to the rest of the people, that he needs them not to approach him (neither other dogs) or to approach without being abrupt and always under the permission of the owner.
Currently there are also directly yellow straps with clear messages and even bibs explaining the reason for the need for this distance.
With this, it is not only about “aggressive ” dogs, they are dogs that normally have socialization problems born of fear, shyness (usually in cases of recently rescued dogs), dogs that need time to adapt, newly operated or even that they are in “internships” for a job or service.
Therefore, if you see a dog with a yellow scarf or a yellow bow, it is not for fashion or aesthetics: its owner is sending you a very necessary message.
It is, therefore, a color code that facilitates the relationship and the walk of these dogs that has been spreading throughout a network of countries. With this system, the dog owner is asking for your collaboration and respect for the animal: do not approach or, if you do, whenever the owner allows it, be very careful, so that the dog does not feel uncomfortable or scared.
Other reasons why dogs may need that space are:
- Dogs that for some reason are afraid or have a hard time facing some street stimuli like other living beings. It is important that they do not feel “cornered” as their reaction can be aggressive.
- Dogs under a behavior modification plan with an ethologist or canine educator. In these dogs the approach of some stimulus will not benefit the training they are carrying. We are talking about normally newly adopted dogs that need to lose fear and adapt to the environment.
- Dogs that suffer physical problems or that are recovering from some type of operation.
- Females in heat : it is a way of avoiding uncomfortable encounters and unwanted litters or that the males become aggressive.
- Dogs that are in the training phase to walk, especially puppies that are taking their first walks and still have a hard time socializing.
- Dogs that are receiving specific training to provide a service, such as a guide dog.
- Dogs that have shown or may show aggressive behaviors, which usually arise out of fear. These dogs are recommended to wear a muzzle.
If you act consistently with that code, the dog and owner will thank you. If your dog is under any of the above cases, it would be positive if you began to follow this movement.
Obviously, if your dog is aggressive or has social problems, it is something that should be improved by going to a specialist or professional to change the behavior of the animal but, for the moment, following this code will allow you a quiet walk .
Emphasize, therefore, that this is a temporary measure so that the animal has greater tranquility in its outings, but that this will not solve the fact that a dog is aggressive or afraid. It is only a remedy to avoid going through situations that stress the animal.
Finally, to say that the yellow bow does not exempt the need to apply other security measures (such as muzzles) to avoid unpleasant, uncomfortable or dangerous situations, if applicable.
