I am ashamed to say that until recently I had no idea what Yellow Dog is and what they do… I thought I was fairly well educated when it comes to dog care but it looks like I missed something. It might be due to the fact that our dogs do not need “special treatment” but still the fact remains the same I missed something important… so I decided to make up for this and share my recent discovery with you… just in case you missed it too or you know someone who can use some help in the dog care department.
So what is Yellow Dog UK?
It would take a while for me to explain the finer intricacies so let us hear their words on the subject (after all this is where the gap in my knowledge was filled):
Yellow dog is an international campaign to create awareness around the world that ‘Some Dogs need Space’.
The organiser for the Yellow Dog UK campaign is NarpsUK which is a membership organisation for pet sitters and dog walkers. The CEO of NarpsUK who has nearly 20 years experience in the pet sitting and dog walking industry, she is also a Lantra approved training provider and instructor to teach and educate how to run a pet sitting and dog walking business. The founder says “This is a fantastic campaign and will help and educate dog owners and the public to understand and recognise a dog who ‘needs space”.
NarpsUK decided to start the UK campaign because we know how stressful it can be for a Yellow Dog and its owner when a social dog or off lead dog approaches. We believe that by making the Yellow Ribbon an accepted representation throughout the UK that a dog needs space will benefit everyone and make dog walking more enjoyable experience.
The yellow ribbon or bandanna can be used for short term periods – i.e. whilst a dog is in training or on heat – or long term – for example if a dog is elderly and does not like young lively dogs around him. We support that it is imperative to socialise dogs for their well being and development but also recognise that there are times and circumstances when a dog needs space and this is a way of letting other dog owners this, we hope that the campaign will encourage dog owners to recall their dogs when they see a dog wearing a yellow ribbon, giving that dog and its owner time to move out of your way and to get him used to people and animals.
The reasons that dogs may need space are varied and could include:
- They may be ill
- They may be old
- They may be hurt
- She may be in season
- They may be in training
- The dog may be nervous
- They may have had bad life experiences
- The person walking him may be nervous of other dogs
- They may have a new family who are unsure as to their behaviour with other dogs
If you’re walking your dog and see a pooch with a yellow ribbon on its lead or yellow bandana around its neck the message is clear – this dog needs some space.
Bark Time = everything and nothing 