March 2022
Dogs In Yellow
How is it March already? Pets and animals are part of our lives and that's why there are so many holidays dedicated to them.
This month we are talking about Dogs in Yellow Day which is on 20th March. Do you know why dogs wear yellow? It is to raise awareness for anxious dogs and dogs who need space. Basically a warning not to approach them. It is probably something we wouldn’t really think of. Sure people can be anxious but we don’t think of our animals being anxious as well.
The yellow ribbon movement began in Australia in 2000 and in 2022 has become a national day where people can spread awareness and educate the public. Yellow is the official warning colour for caution and is used by police on crime scenes. We all know and understand yellow as a warning.
One day while on a bike ride (I am that typical person to stop and pay attention to any dog who wants it) there was a Doberman puppy with his floppy puppy ears and was the cutest thing ever. This poor pup was so anxious and scared of other dogs that when dog walkers went past with their dogs, this poor puppy made such a noise that the owners thought their dog had done something. They were so apologetic, but the owner of this pup picked him up and said “it’s fine he’s like this with dogs”.
Now I may not know everything there is to know about owning a dog but the comment the owner made was a brush off “oh its fine” but looking back his pup was clearly unhappy in the situation and very distressed. So with my little story over, I decided to do a little research to share why Dogs in Yellow day is so important. To keep our pets happy and healthy, knowing they may have anxiety is key to educating dog owners and the public to help recognise that they 'need space'. Here are some reasons why:
* Recovering from illness or surgery
* Female dogs in season
* Older dogs
* Dogs in training
* Nervous, unpredictable or even unsociable dog
* May have a new family who may be unsure of their character and behaviour with other dogs or people
Since the pandemic puppy buying, families have started to return to normal life, returning to work in the office, meeting with friends and family and going on holidays again. While this is good for our mental health it may not be so great for our dogs, causing them to become anxious.
Some signs of anxiety in dogs:
· Barking
· Aggression
· Pacing or unable to rest
· Obsessive behaviour i.e over grooming
· Destructive behaviour
Trying not to react when your dog is showing signs of anxiety is not easy. We love them and don’t want them to feel the way they do. Giving fusses at the wrong time can be seen as praising your dog for not feeling comfortable doing something. If you are confident, your dog will feed off your energy.
What can you do if your dog needs space?
Get your dog a yellow coat or bandana to let others know they need space. Maybe also look for quieter walks with your dog.
Remember - 'don't say hello to dogs in yellow' (MyPawsOn.com)
Some useful links about dogs with anxiety and how to help them manage it:
https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/dogfather-graeme-hall-shares-behavioural-23973842
https://www.wikihow.com/Reduce-Anxiety-in-Dogs
https://www.yellowdoguk.co.uk/about-us/
https://www.bellascollars.co.uk/pages/national-dogsinyellow
If you have any concerns regarding your dog's anxiety please speak to your Vet and seek professional help.