It can be pretty tempting to touch and pet every dog you run into on the street, but the reality is that many of these amazing animals have been through a lot and not all of them are friendly towards strangers. Because of this, one organization is looking to bring forth a universal sign that will let all know whether a dog can be approached by strangers or not.
Known as the Yellow Dog Project and created by Laura Palardy from Alberta, Canada, the organization aims to bring awareness to dogs that are DINOS- Dogs in Need of Space- and to promote the use of yellow ribbons as an indicator the dog is nervous or uncomfortable around strangers.
This is what the project notes on their own website-
“Yellow Dogs are dogs who need space – they are not necessarily aggressive dogs but more often are dogs who have issues of fear; pain from recent surgery; are a rescue or shelter dog who has not yet had sufficient training or mastered obedience; are in training for work or service; are in service; or other reasons specific to the dog.”
As the quote specifies, there are a myriad of reasons why a dog would not want to be approached including its history, previous trauma, recovery from an injury or surgery, and more. The project also encourages new dog owners to use their universal sign as a way to take their dogs out and train them in the real world while still avoiding overexcited children and adults.
The non-profit also works to provide donations for ribbon and t-shirts to spread their cause, and it has become a huge name within those interested in animal care.
While there are a million reasons why a dog might not want to be approached by a stranger, the truth is that we universally believe dogs to be happy and friendly all the time, making it often difficult to know whats appropriate when dealing with these furry friends. For now, the organization recommends asking every time you approach a new dog and if you see a dog with a yellow ribbon, be extra cautious. The organization also notes that it might not be that the dog is unfriendly as well, but just that there are a million reasons why a dog might need its space. Either way, this sign is the perfect method to getting the point across to the rest of the world!
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