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March 20th is #DogsinYellow Day which is also knowns as the #YellowArmy – dogs who wear yellow. This day is super important for guardians of anxious dogs but also for everyone else as the more awareness we can increase the better we can take care of one another and make walks for everyone less stressful. So even if you have a super friendly dog ‘who just wants to say hello’ – please read this (and feel free to share with other dog guardians).
As a Hundetrainerin who specialises in Rescue Dog Training, this is very close to my heart. Also, as a Dog Mum to 4 Rescue Dogs, one of them being deaf and highly anxious (meet Chalkie here), I know first hand how tough this can be on a daily basis. I’m very proud to be official partner of Dogs in Yellow and excited to spread the message with you – to make walks more enjoyable and safe for everyone.
- My Anxious Dog
- Here's what you need to know
- Some Words For Yellow Dog Guardians | Anxious, Reactive or Nervous Dogs
- Let's talk Judgment and Labels for Dogs who React
- What can Guardians of Friendly, Confident Dogs do to help?
- Did you know that over 70% of Dogs suffer from Anxiety or Fear???
- How to get your Paws on Yellow Dog Accessories
My Anxious Dog
My Anxious Dog is the founder of #dogsinyellow and the Anxious Dog Awareness Day. As a Dog Mom to two very anxious dogs and a dog trainer, I am very proud to be an official partner of My Anxious Dog and to spread the word about this amazing – and so easy – cause. It’s very simple, we just need to increase the awareness, so people know what dogs wearing yellow means.
Below you can find some more detailed information about anxious dogs, what to do etc. – but I also wanted to share these amazing graphics with you (made by my Anxious Dog) as they already sum up nicely what it’s all about. So if you are short on time, then please have a look at the pictures.
Here’s what you need to know
Some Words For Yellow Dog Guardians | Anxious, Reactive or Nervous Dogs
Sharing your life with a reactive, nervous or anxious dog can be incredibly hard at times.
And in amongst the daily worries, stresses and heartache, it can be easy to lose sight of something truly amazing and entirely worth celebrating.
YOU ARE THE KIND OF BEST FRIEND THAT DOG’S DREAM OF.
💛 You are an amazing advocate for your dog.
💛 You are by their side, standing with them whatever happens.
💛 You feel the discomfort and do it anyway.
💛 You return home from walks after yet another stressful event, and your heart aches.
💛 But you do it all again.
Constantly striving to make things better, easier and happier for your best friend.
My most important message to you is this:
❌ No more feeling embarrassed about your dog’s behaviour
❌ No more lurking in the shadows ashamed (you can lurk with pride instead!)
❌ No more dreading another altercation with a ‘friendly’ dog owner
❌ No more feeling helpless
📣 BE PROUD TO BE YELLOW 📣
💛 SOME DOGS CAN ONLY DREAM OF THIS KIND OF LOVE 💛
YELLOW DOG. MOMS: YOU ROCK!! BIG TIMES!!
You are an awesome dog parent and a compassionate human being. It’s time to stand proud and help others understand how to really be (wo)man’s best friend.
Let’s talk Judgment and Labels for Dogs who React
If you see a dog who goes a bit ‘nuts’ or ‘looses his cool’ or ‘is aggressively barking on the leash’ whilst your dog is being just super friendly and would never do this, then you might find it hard to relate what is actually happening and how stressful this situation can be for everyone involved.
Here’s what nervous, anxious, reactive dogs want you to know:
We’re not nasty, we’re not bad, we’re not mean.
We’re just a bit scared or nervous sometimes.
All you need to do is give us some space, and the world feels much less frightening.
When my human asks you to call your dog back, it’s not because they think your dog’s bad or naughty either. We just like different things.
And they’re just trying to help me feel safe.
Next time you see a dog wearing yellow, will you do something for me?
Just give them a little more space.
It’d mean the world to us #dogsinyellow
What can Guardians of Friendly, Confident Dogs do to help?
If you spot a dog on the lead or wearing yellow (You might see a dog wearing a yellow harness, lead, jumper or raincoat. Some have messages like ‘keep away’ ‘do not touch’ or ‘anxious’), there is one small thing that you can do that will truly transform their day. Give them some space.
⚠️ Dogs wearing yellow need space. ⚠️
And it can be for a whole host of different reasons. They might be injured or in pain, they might be scared of dogs or people, they might find children frightening. Dogs in yellow need space for different reasons, and these are just some of them. Whatever the rhyme or reason (sometimes we don’t even know), what they need is space.
I know you might be curious to learn more, but please don’t approach. Please give dogs in yellow some space – admire them from a distance and keep your dog away.
When things that scare #dogsinyellow come too close, it makes them feel like a threat. That’s why you might see them bark or lunge, or show our teeth.
We’re just trying to make the scary thing go away. When they can see these scary things at a distance, their humans can help them learn that they’re not so scary after all.
But it takes time. And patience.
And trust me, these lovely humans are trying really hard to show their dogs how safe the world is. If you never had to deal with anxiety in a dog – good for you, but it’s unfortunately a very, very common thing for rescue dog adopters – especially for our lovely wadi dogs.
Will you help and keep your distance?
Btw, it’s way more common than we probably think.
Did you know that over 70% of Dogs suffer from Anxiety or Fear???
More than 70% – that’s A LOT!!!!
So, we are on a very important mission here of spreading the world and making walks more enjoyable for everyone – and the world a little bit safer for our dogs (and their lovely humans who can dread the stressful walks).
So, please do spread the word and help us raise awareness.
How to get your Paws on Yellow Dog Accessories
If you have a dog who finds the world a little scary at times, then choosing yellow dog accessories can help. What most anxious or nervous dogs need is space from the things that make them feel scared.
Of course, through training we can address this and work towards changing how they feel about the world. But whilst you work through these issues, these space awareness accessories can help support you both in your training. My Anxious dog have accessories for dogs and humans, so even if your dog isn’t keen on getting yellowed up, you can still find a space awareness solution to make your walks more enjoyable.
Browse the full range of space awareness accessories for anxious, nervous and reactive dogs and get the space you need, just visit the link below. 👇 You can also use our code RAMBO.CHALKIE.PANDA for 10% off.
Please share this article as it’s so important we raise awareness and spread the word. Thank you My Anxious Dog for this Awareness Day and all the work you do! 💛
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