If you see a yellow ribbon tied to a dog’s harness or collar, it isn’t just there to look cute.

The ribbon is there to signify something to others and there are organizations and animal lovers out there hoping to increase awareness.

In fact, it’s there in support of an entire project. An important one, at that.

Yellow ribbons are for dogs who need space.

Dogs with yellow ribbons tied to their harness or collar are pups that can use a little space from both humans and other dogs. There are numerous reasons why this might be the case. It is usually for dogs that are dealing with anxiety rather than dogs who are aggressive.

There are many reasons why a dog might need more space than others. This can include dogs with health conditions, dogs who were abused and have anxiety, and service dogs in training.

“Most often it may mean that a dog has health issues, has survived the disease, surgery, or strong stress recently. It’s also a way to inform if a pet has anxiety issues or is in training,” the Yellow Dog Project website reads.

Knowing what a yellow ribbon means.

For dog owners with canines in any of the above situations, having to keep people and other dogs away from their pet can be difficult. The yellow ribbon signifies to others that their pet should not be approached. The greater awareness there is of this program, the easier it is for these dog owners and their pets.

“Not all dogs are the same. While most people think dogs are social and are always seeking new friends, it’s not always true. Some dogs need more space or, said another way, they prefer not to be touched or talked to. The owners can make other people aware of this by labeling their dog with yellow color (yellow ribbons, collars, or leashes),” the Yellow Dog Project website reads.

The Yellow Dog Project

Tara Palardy founded the Yellow Dog Project back in 2013. The Animal Behavior College graduate started the program in response to frequent comments she was hearing from her clients.

“My dog barks uncontrollably at X or reacts when X happens. What do I do?” were issues not tackled in basic training,” Palardy said.

The color yellow was chosen because of its association with “caution” such as with traffic lights. It’s a polite way of saying “My dog does not want to say ‘hi.'”

How yellow ribbons help dogs who need steroids.

Numerous health conditions can cause a veterinarian to prescribe steroids for a dog. Unfortunately, these medications can cause behavioural changes in our pets.

“Owners of steroid-treated dogs report their pet behavior changes. Usually, dogs feel more nervous, depressed, anxious, or even aggressive. More than half of owners notice that dogs on treatment lose their self-control easily.”

That’s why having a system such as the yellow ribbon project is so important for these dogs. Fortunately, the yellow ribbon project has been shown to decrease anxiety in dogs undergoing treatment with steroids.

“The Yellow Dog Project helps to create a secure space for human-dog interactions. First of all, it prevents harmful or dangerous situations for the yellow-labeled dog. It reduces the amount of psychological stress on an animal.”

You can learn more about the Yellow Ribbon Project in the video below.

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Source: The Yellow Dog Project/PetMD