Dog blogger Ashley Eaton says a new movement that alerts the public when leashed dogs are not in a playful mood is a good thing that literally takes the bite out of walking the dog.
“I often encounter a person walking their dog who will come right up to me and my dog without first asking if it’s all right to introduce them,” Eaton, who blogs at Little Thunder Lizard, told HLN. “They don’t know anything about my dog — and I don’t know anything about theirs. It can lead to bad situations, particularly when you have a leash-aggressive dog like mine.”
Enter the Yellow Dog Project, a new resource in keeping dogs from antagonizing each other. If you encounter a dog with a yellow ribbon it means it’s a DINO (dog in need of space), for one reason or another.
The Yellow Dog Project began this summer in Sweden and has taken root several countries throughout Europe, Canada and is just getting started here in the United States.
When you think about it, the concept seems long overdue. Dogs, like people, can get a little emo when approached all willy-nilly by fellow canines. Some of them are ridiculously friendly while others are, quite frankly, going through things. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a signal to dog owners that says, “Hey, steer clear today, we’re not in the mood.”
Eaton says the project is “important for dogs who are afraid of other dogs, for those who have been recently injured or had surgery. These dogs all need space for their own well-being.”
“In the week I’ve had the yellow ribbon on Piper’s leash, I’ve had two neighbors ask me what it was about. It’s a good conversation starter, actually. I haven’t seen any other dogs with ribbons yet, but because of my dog’s needs, we don’t go out to places with lots of dogs very often.”
We know what you’re thinking: Is there a ribbon for humans?
Not yet, unfortunately.
~ Courtesy of Headline News
Tags: Dog Behavior, Yellow Dog Project
