Leash Flags

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I know we have had conversations previously about the yellow ribbon on the leash for dogs you should not approach, but I saw these this morning and thought I'd pass along.  I've not seen them before.  While I think it is an interesting idea, I'm not sure if people would be able to read them from far enough away to do any good.  I could certainly use the I'm Shy for Lucy and the I'm in training for Miss AnnaBelle. 

https://www.coupaw.com/deals/theme/1824/Assorted-Flags-for-Dog-Leas...

[F, Calla & Luca]

These are interesting but would people even know how to interpret them. I think the best thing is to talk to people as they approach the dog.

[BG and Gavin]

Anything to open the conversation is a good idea I think.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

There have been some posts in the past about the Yellow Dog Project; Yellow ribbons, leashes, and  "I Need Space" designations for dogs with various issues. This seems to be a spin-off of that:

http://www.theyellowdogproject.com/The_Yellow_Dog_Project/About.html

http://www.pawnation.com/2013/07/23/what-it-means-when-you-see-a-ye...

http://www.yellowdoguk.co.uk/index.php/yellow-dog-shop

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

There are a few signs around our neighborhood about the yellow dog project... I have yet to see one though even though there are quite a few dogs that are leash aggressive and lunge at Luna.

I agree F - best thing to do is to just ask "friendly?" as you approach people with dogs.

My response when people ask about Luna is "very!" lol

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Interesting idea, but not sure people would really pay attention to them!  

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

These are a cool idea and cheap enough to try out.  I don't have any idea if they would be effective, but certainly the price is right for experimenting.

[a.k.a. Rodney]

...I have experienced all ages that approach me and Ask First if they may speak, touch or engage DerbyDoodle ....someone has spread the word "ASK FIRST" when you see a dog that you want to approach.
Unless some very powerful communities get behind the Yellow Ribbon Project or others like it.. It .won't get traction
However, I think schools or parents are getting the message out about Ask First!! In the 8+ mo I have had her I have yet to encounter anyone that has not asked!!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I find that the majority of people ask however just yesterday we were at an Outlet Center and I found that people would just sort of walk by us and put their hand down and rub it along Lucy's back.   I quickly caught on and started watching for it and would just move out of the way.  This would startle Lucy as she tends to be a little Shy to start with.  My biggest complain is probably people with other dogs that just feel that their dogs must come and MEET our dogs.  I had this happen Sat night when we went to the local Music in the park.  We had not even gotten our things sit down and our chairs set up before some lady came running over carrying her little Yorkie saying oh she just wants to meet your dogs.  At this point my hands were full and I was holding both dogs and DH was sitting up the chairs.  The girls started jumping etc., and DH just said, you know what, that probably isn't a good idea right now.  And she turned around and looked at her dog and said they don't want to meet you.  I felt bad but it was like lady give me a break.  Let me at least get situated and get the dogs settled, then make eye contact me with and see if it is ok.  There is a lot of difference between someone holding onto an 80 lb and 40 lb dogs and a lady carrying a Yorkie.  There is a little more involved.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I think it is also helpful for dogs who are reactive to other dogs. It tells the other dog owner to cross the street or at least keep their dog from running up to the reactive dog. I can't tell you how many people in my neighborhood walk their dogs on retractable leashes and give them carte blanche to run 50 feet ahead, right up to another dog. 

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Sheri I had a similar thing happen yesterday when we were walking Libby.  As we rounded a corner there was a man working inside his car and his Pit Bull was playing (unleashed) next to the car.  The dog immediately headed towards Libby and I was scared so my husband yelled at the dog and the man stuck his head out and said it's ok he is friendly.  Sure!  So the man then went on to tell the dog to go to us without asking if it was ok and got right in Libby's face.  I could tell immediately she was not happy with the situation and the man all the time telling to us "everything is ok"!   NO it was not!  Libby had on a Gentle Leader and if she had not she would have bit the dog because she tried.  She has NEVER gone after any dog, she is very socialized and loves every dog that has ever come up to her, NOT this one.  I think mostly was because he let his dog RUN up to her without any time to get use to each other. I told the man to call his dog back and again he inisisted everything is ok.  My DH then said NO IT IS NOT.   Libby by this time was shaking and so confused as to what was going on.  The man called his dog back and apologized.  What do people "not get"about asking if they can approach us and our dog?

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

It is the cute fluffy/shaggy dog syndrome.  They just assume because they are so cute that they are also friendly and playful.  I'm guilty of this in the opposite direction.  There is a guy in our neighborhood that walks his Am Stafford Bull Terrior that is huge without a leash.  The other day he was walking about 50' in front of the dog and the dog was just slowly strolling behind.  While I'm guessing this dog is much more trained than either of my girls, his looks just terrify me.  If he attacked one of my dogs there is no way I could pull him off.  Also, I think in your situation it could of had to do with another thing a lot of people don't understand and that is the one dog that is on a leash and the other isn't.  This is one of those things that in the dog world isn't good ... just like the communication that goes on between them with their body language and eye contact etc.

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Absolutely Sheri!  Actually his dog was friendly but the way he charged Libby she did not know what was going on and he was directly in her face even trying to lick her face. She immediately put up her defense becasue she did not know what was happening.  Like I said she tried to bite him and would have if not for the Gentle Leader.   My DH and I have never seen this side of Libby.  We did correct her when she tried to bite and gave her the "leave it" command and I'm not sure that was the right thing to do, but I was also nervous over the incident.  She did react to our command and sat back even while the dog was still in her face.

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