A new approach to not being "approached" and a reminder about safety tonight

[BG and Gavin]

Have you heard of the yellow ribbon campaign?

Dog owners are used to approaching an unknown dog with caution. For dog owners who have sensitive dogs, an unknown dog coming your way means quickly changing direction, crossing the street or telling the other dog's owner politely to stay away. This might leave the other owner assuming that you don't socialize your dog, your dog is aggressive or as a dog owner, you're just plain "doing it wrong".

The Yellow Ribbon Campaign aims to educate all dog owners on dogs that aren't necessarily able to meet and greet with other dogs. Not because of sheer aggression or poor socialization, but because they are sick, hurt or just need some space for other reasons. For example, they may be a recent rescue or adoptee with an unknown history  and need time to adjust.

Owners with dogs who are sensitive and who would prefer not to have any contact with other dogs while on walks can tie a yellow ribbon on their leash as a sign to please stay away to other dog owners out walking their dogs.

Read more here: http://earthrated.com/blog/have-you-heard-of-the-yellow-ribbon-camp...

**On another note, please be careful with your dogs tonight.  Make sure your dog has his collar and tags on and is leashed or crated if unreliable at the door.  With all the kiddies trick or treating it would be easy for an oppotunistic dood to slip out the front door into the dark night and be spooked by all the ghosts and goblins in the street.**

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Yes, I am not happy with the Yellow Ribbon choice but rethinking the color yellow, it also means caution in universal language.   Again, it  just needs to sink in I suppose.  For me, it already has

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Now that you mention the yellow=caution connection, it makes more sense to me. Duh, I didn't think of that.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Yes, and when Murphy was "at his worst" by the time anyone spotted the yellow ribbon he would be completely out of control.  I really found it was more effective to tell the person approaching that he was in training and reactive.....before they got too close.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Jane, I agree this may not work in your situation. It would have worked great with Starlit and in many other situations where the dog suddenly feels threatened and until the handler can read any iota of a signal the dog has freaked in one way or another--tries to bolt, lunges forward, hits the ground in fear....

So, like everything, nothing is ideal, but I do believe if people know, it will help.

I once reached out to touch a cute dog at a dog affair, and the owner warned me.  I had no idea the dog was one who was just adopted, not adapting, and they were there to work on socialization.

I should have known better! Right.  But I made a big mistake.

It just may help some and that is good thing

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Yes, it sure is.  Murph is certainly the extreme.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

No, not extreme, he just is NOT SHY and needs no yellow ribbon  :)  He has his own voice and that may be a good thing. He would never let anyone get that close. Good for him.

But for the shy, scared to death dog, or one who absolutely feels stranger danger but would like to take a walk once in awhile instead of being housebound... it is a good thing too.   A  yellow ribbon would stick out when someone is close to a dog who just has no guts to speak their mind

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

These are all great reminders, BG.  At the risk of sounding like a total "training nut case", I've been using the trick or treaters as a chance to practice those "down/stays" with someone at the door.  I don't open the door until they're calm and laying in their spot.  It works fine because those "trick or treaters" aren't going anywhere.  Karen, I've been "testing" the candy myself to be sure it's safe....at a clip of three of those candy bars a night since the weekend. 

[BG and Gavin]

Well move over nut and make room on the tree because I have been doing the same thing.  He is now totally bored of the whole kids in costumes at the door thing and is chewing an antler. 

Three a night?  Try three an hour.  Oh, seven minutes till my next fix....

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

LOL....

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I have found if I paste a very mean look on my face and walk in the other direction yelling, "leave my dogs and me alone!" very few people approach us. Actually, I am with Joanne on this one. I prefer to be left alone on my walks with my dogs. It seems like many people want to have their dog makes friends with other dogs and I am not interested while we are walking on leashes. It is harder when you have two and one is reactive on a leash and has been known to incite the other :) It would be nice to just put a yellow ribbon on their leashes, but I bet not many people know what the heck this means. Hope it catches on.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I feel the exact same way about being left alone on walks.

I wonder why there can't be a vest like service dogs in training wear, with some type of wording to the effect that the dog is uncomfortable with being approached on leash.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Exactly my point. Yellow Ribbon= LEAVE ME ALONE   :)