Yellowdog program

Do you know the yellowdog initiative? You don’t? Then I want to introduce it. The idea of a campaign for sensitive dogs comes from Sweden and is called “The original International Gulahund™ Yellowdog Program”. The program is intended for dogs which need some more space for any numbers of reasons. The dogs are marked on their leash, harness or collar with a yellow ribbon, bandana, bow or so. Explicitly this identification marking is not about or for aggressive dogs and it doesn’t replace a muzzle. If you meet a dog (and of course the accompanying person) wearing a yellow identification marking you should give them more space or time to move out of your way. Because this mark means that the dog doesn’t want to have closer contact with other dogs or people.

 

The following text and graphics come from the pages of gulahund.se/:

The yellow sign is to give dog owners the ability to signal when their dog needs space, allowing them to give their dogs a better chance of overcoming problems, and therefore a better standard of life.

The purpose of the program is to

• Give dog owners the possibility to take extra care of their dogs that are sensitive in any way.
• Prevent unnecessary misunderstandings.
• Give both dogs and their owners more space or time to move away from people and animals.
• Create the possibility to slowly train a dog and by that make better training progress.
• Make life easier for those dogs which for a shorter or a longer period in their lives, need more space from people and animals. Some dogs maybe for the rest of their lives, depending on the issue.
• There are LOTS of reasons why some dogs need some more space! They may be ill, hurt or may be just old. They may have a new family or bad life experiences and need a greater distance to slowly train to cope with their new surroundings. A bitch may be in season. Another dog may be having “everyday training”.

Visible, easy and affordable to use!

1. It’s is visible from a distance.
2. It’s easy to use for everyone!
3. It’s cheap to use for everyone. You can buy ribbons or fabrics to make your own ribbons and bandanas, or you may have some yellow fabrics at home to use.
4. It works internationally.
5. It can be used long-term or short-term.
6. A ribbon or bandana is easy to put on and off.
7. Even small children will easily learn the meaning of the yellow ribbon or bandana – ‘keep away from the dog, please!’
8. It can’t be misunderstood in those countries that are using yellow vests on working dogs, for example assistance dogs etc.
9. Common dog products are already found in different colours and are to be used for other reasons.

Why not a text?

For a sensitive dog you are already too close if you can read a text. Therefore it’s important to get the information out about the meaning of the ribbon and bandanas as signs.