Dog lovers have been urged to stop stroking random pooches in public. Sarah Jones – founder of My Anxious Dog – said a “friendly pat” could be terrifying to a pet you don’t know.
She said we should treat every pooch as a potential “do not touch” unless the owner says it’s OK. Her rescue Cocker Spaniel Bella, now almost 14, never steps paw outside without her bright yellow “caution” gear.
She launched a campaign, using the hashtag on social media #DogsInYellow, to address the issue. It has now helped thousands of anxious and traumatised dogs across the UK to “speak” without growling or lunging, using warning harnesses, leads and collars that tell strangers to give them space.
Speaking to the Daily Star at Dogstival (May 30-31) in Burley, Hampshire, she said: “Yellow is the official warning colour for caution,” Sarah explained. The neon shade has subsequently become “Bella’s voice”.
“A lot of people don’t understand dog behaviour or the signs,” Sarah said. “That’s basically the yellow, [the anxious dogs’] voice, so it helps people understand what [they want].”
Sarah knows first-hand the worry and isolation of living with a nervous pet. As a result, she has one golden rule for anyone tempted to fuss over a dog – always ask the owner first. If you do get the go-ahead, she said that you stroke under the chin, not on top of the head. She said that, ideally, people should resist the urge to pet dogs in public spaces.
She said: “I think nowadays, it’s not to approach any dog.” Aware that this approach might sound too radical for many pet lovers, she added: “Me now knowing all the stuff that I know from Bella, I don’t approach anybody’s dog.”
She added: “I ignore dogs. If the dog comes to me, I’ll let them sniff me.”
If a person absolutely yearns for a dose of do-pet-amine, Sarah advised: “Always ask if it’s all right to approach a dog.” Moreover, it’s preferable to pet a dog’s neck instead of the top of its head, giving the appearance you’re “looming over”, and ultimately standing from a place of dominance and potential threat.
“People always say to put your hands down, let [them] sniff,” Sarah further shared. “If [dogs are] sniffing your hands, give them a little tickle, and then… stop, and then see what the dog does.”
According to the campaigner, it does not matter if a person claims to be “good with dogs”. She said: “Well, if you’re good with dogs and you love dogs, please respect that my dog doesn’t know you, and it’s very scared of you.”
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