Do you know the yellow ribbon??

“Wow, you're so cute”.... It's hard to resist the urge to greet every dog ​​that walks by when you're a big dog lover, but think twice before reaching out for a quick pat . Have you ever stopped to say hello to a dog, only to find it growling or backing up behind its owner?


If you love dogs, this can be especially hurtful. But the truth is that an anxious or aggressive dog may not always show signs of fear until it's too late, so the best course of action is to be careful around new dogs.


However, remember that not all dogs are ready for human contact - some are very anxious dogs, and they have their reasons for being this way. There is no way to know this about a dog from an initial greeting, and this is exactly what the Yellow Dog Project seeks to remedy.


What is the Yellow Dog Project?
The Yellow Dog Project is a non-profit organization that educates the public on how to greet a dog safely and reduce bad interactions. Many dog ​​owners choose to tag their dogs if they need a little extra space in public by tying yellow ribbons to their leashes or collars. This makes it very clear that you are approaching a reactive dog, or a dog that may exhibit aggressive behavior if confronted in a way that triggers their canine anxiety.

Which dogs need yellow ribbons?

A dog with a yellow ribbon on the leash may need extra space for various reasons:

• It can be ill
• It can be in heat
• It can be anxious or afraid
• It may be in training 
• It may be in rehabilitation
• It may have an infectious disease
• The dog may have had bad experiences with other dogs

Dogs with fear or anxiety challenges may not recognize the friendly intentions of an outstretched hand. Some dogs may be reactive or fearful around other dogs and may even be in training to learn to behave positively in public settings.


Dogs with a yellow ribbon on their leash are not necessarily aggressive. Just like people, some dogs are more outgoing than others. A dog that prefers their personal space can become defensive when an unfamiliar person gets too close. It is important to respect both dog and owner by giving them more space or time to move.


Other dogs that wear a yellow band may suffer from medical conditions that can cause them to experience pain when touched. A person petting a dog without asking wouldn't know when a pat or nuzzle might cause pain, so a yellow ribbon is a great visual reminder to ask owners first before interacting with their dogs.


Always be respectful and show understanding without necessarily getting an explanation from the owner. They don't owe you an explanation as to why their dog needs the extra space. The yellow ribbon tells you what you need to know and that is 'keep your distance and give space'.


In general, it is always a good idea to ask before you get too close if you can say hello or if your dog can say hello - yellow bow or not.


How to greet unknown dogs
While it is especially important to approach dogs wearing yellow leashes slowly, there are some basic rules that should be followed whenever you approach an unfamiliar dog, whether or not they are wearing a leash.


You should not approach a new dog without first asking permission from the dog's owner. Pet a dog only if the owner gives his approval and the dog exhibits relaxed or playful body language and behavior.


Avoid showing threatening behavior by bending over the dog to pet their head, instead squat down to be at the dog's level. Do not put your face in the dog's face or try to hug or kiss a strange dog. Let the dog come to you and show interest in greeting. Many cautious dogs like to come and sniff you, but may not be ready for physical contact. Be patient and read the dog's body language.


You should understand the dog's basic body language - a tail tucked between the hind legs, ears laid back, a lowered head or lack of eye contact are all signs that the dog is not feeling well.

Additionally, avoid petting an unfamiliar dog's muzzle, legs, feet or tail, as some dogs are sensitive to having these areas touched.


Dogs learn quite quickly who they like - and who they don't like
"You never get a second chance to make a first impression." If your first interaction went badly, it will take a lot of work to regain the trust of an anxious dog.


Teach children to greet dogs

If you have children, remember to explain to them how to approach and interact with dogs of all shapes and sizes. Many children get excited when they see a dog walking towards them and pushing their hands into their zone. This can be frightening for dogs and dangerous for children.


Help your dog by giving it space
If your dog has difficulty moving around in public, you can help it by giving it space. This also applies if your dog tends to be aggressive. When a dog behaves aggressively, it does not help to punish it. On the contrary, this can make the problem worse. It is important to remember that when a dog behaves aggressively, e.g. to bark, growl or show teeth, it stems from a need to protect oneself, and is an expression of insecurity. The best thing you can do here is therefore to make sure that your dog has room to calm down.


Help others by spreading the word
Unfortunately, not everyone knows the rules surrounding the yellow ribbon, so you can help other dog owners by spreading the word about the meaning of the yellow ribbons. Thereby, misunderstandings and accidents between dog owners can be avoided. Because it is important to understand that even if your own dog "gets along with everyone", it is not certain that other dogs want to talk to everyone. And that's what the yellow ribbons are supposed to help with.

A final word from us
Bottom line is, remember to ask before you touch someone else's dog, regardless of whether there is a leash on or not. It's only to protect you or the dog if the owner says no, even though it might break our dog-loving heart not to touch.

- MyPetPassion