Yellow lead?

[Keith_Beef]

It’s not artificial, it’s from a real place of need and for many people, has nothing to do with how people approach a dog.

I still think it's an artificial and arbitrary choice.

Certain colour combinations seem to naturally signify "caution" or "danger", like the yellow and black stripes of bees and wasps. But I don't think that solid yellow for "keep away from my dog" is any less arbitrary a choice that the choices of red, amber and green for traffic lights.

And I now realise that I should used "leash" in the thread title, because every time I see it now, I think it's about PbCrO4.

(anybody know how to do subscript on this forum?)

 

[Kaylum]

Known about this for a few years now. But the protocol is easy. Dog on lead put your dog on lead and your onto a winner. It's not difficult. Lots of dogs don't want contact.

 

[Twohorses]

I still think it's an artificial and arbitrary choice.

Certain colour combinations seem to naturally signify "caution" or "danger", like the yellow and black stripes of bees and wasps. But I don't think that solid yellow for "keep away from my dog" is any less arbitrary a choice that the choices of red, amber and green for traffic lights.

And I now realise that I should used "leash" in the thread title, because every time I see it now, I think it's about PbCrO4.

(anybody know how to do subscript on this forum?)

I got it soon as I read the title -- the world has become waaaaay too technical and politically correct, IMHO

That said --- I am in the U.S., have had dogs my entire life and have never heard of this -- I think it's a great idea. We put big red ribbons in horses' tails in trail rides if they are a known kicker, why not yellow leashes for a dog as a warning to others to keep their distance ( and who cares what that reason might be?).

As with the red ribbon, there will always be some nincompoop who is too dumb to pay attention BUT the warning is there for anyone to see.

I googled yellow leashes and I can't find anything as it pertains to the U.S. IMO, there should be some thing on dog forums in the U.S. with links to back up the comments

Yellow leads (leashes is a great common sense idea -- "common sense" being the operative here

I live on a farm so my big dogs are exercised on the farm every day. However, I WILL buy yellow leashes and kerchiefs for when I have to take them to the vet's office --- I want to see just how stupid some people really are after I give an explanation

Thankyou OP for starting this thread

 

[splashgirl45]

i seem to remember something on here about yellow leads previously but havent seen anyone in my area who uses one apart from as couple who have a rehomed dogs trust lurcher and he is as good as gold with other dogs, my tiny terrier loves all other dogs and would be unable to do much damage even if he did attack , but i always put him on the lead if i see someone else with their dog on the lead, surely its common sense, if i feel i have to do it with a tiny terrier surely those with big bouncy dogs should realise how bad it is to approach a dog on the lead...the trouble is that lots of the current dog owners havent got any sense and buy a dog because they like the look of it and not one that fits with a 20 min walk round the block, although even the small dogs need more than that..., mind you i think there are many who should never own dogs.....

 

[ester]

I've only seen it at big shows (Burghley etc) where there are a lot of dogs in fairly close proximity and thought the dog would probably have preferred to stay at home.

 

[Clodagh]

I saw an older woman today walking a labrador, carrying a big massive blackthorn walking stick. Carrying it, not using it to walk with. Like I say, that seems to be the local version of the 'yellow lead'

Do you know, if I lived somewhere with other dogs around I would probably do that too! Whack the owners?

 

[skinnydipper]

I still think it's an artificial and arbitrary choice.

Certain colour combinations seem to naturally signify "caution" or "danger", like the yellow and black stripes of bees and wasps. But I don't think that solid yellow for "keep away from my dog" is any less arbitrary a choice that the choices of red, amber and green for traffic lights.

And I now realise that I should used "leash" in the thread title, because every time I see it now, I think it's about PbCrO4.

(anybody know how to do subscript on this forum?)

I am struggling to understand your point.

Have you ever been responsible for the care and wellbeing of a fearful/sick/reactive dog, or any dog come to that?

If you have, then you should have some understanding of what is entailed in trying to keep them safe and free from stress and harassment.

I think it reflects badly on owners of nuisance dogs, and nuisance people, when we need to resort to visibly requesting space for our dogs.

Even dogs who are not handicapped by health or emotional problems, ie "normal" dogs, should not be expected to endure the unwanted attention of others.

Can you suggest an effective, less "artificial and arbitrary" solution than this ............

.

 

[Cinnamontoast]

I also don’t understand what you mean by artificial. Because someone has decided yellow is the colour to use to show others that the dog needs space? DINOS and the use of yellow is reasonably well known on some dog related forums in the U.K. I’d steer well clear of a dog wearing yellow.

Arbitrary? Why is it arbitrary? Someone decided on various colours for tail ribbons for horses. You’d be silly to ignore that. Is that not arbitrary because it’s been in place a while?

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

Oh my goodness never, ever heard of this - but then I do live in the arse end of nowhere in another country and our dogs are only ever walked at random on our own land and only on leads during calving and lambing time, not they they would attack but just the sight of them running around could alarm the ewes and cows.

I am probably very wrong here - and feel free to correct me but for many, many years it has been my belief if one or perhaps both dogs are on a lead they will be very much more aggressive and on high alert and defensive than would be the case if they were allowed low key, as in 'ignore them and just walk on briskly' allowed tentative sniffs of each other and then hurry on to catch up with their respective owners?

acknowledge there are probably a good few useless owners who do not socialise and put manners on their dogs and they might well prove to be rogue owners and rogue dogs.

Rather than put relevant colours on our dogs and spend a stressful walk out and about hoping the rest of the dog walking public will recognise what their lead colour indicates, surely would be better to educate new dog owners who from this thread alone really don't seem to have much of a clue about training their dogs and how to insist on good manners in public areas?

 

[Twohorses]

MrsJingle: you have the right idea in a perfect world

I am 72 and have had big dogs since I was growing up on my parents small dairy farm. Years ago I was naive enough to think unwanted births of dogs, cats, and horses would have been well under control by now --- instead the issue is worse than ever.

So it is with people regarding dogs on leashes and having no regard or respect for same. We can educate until the proverbial "cows come in for milking" and some people still won't get it

To reply to your thoughtful comment regarding dogs becoming agressive on leashes --- no -- not if they have been properly trained.

Early in life, I took myDobermans and Rottweiler's to obedience school. My dogs were so well mannered could take the three of them into the vet's office and they would behave better than most people's children, while others in the waiting room couldn't manage their lap dogs

Putting a dog on a chain, hooked to a dog house --- now that's a different store regarding aggression

 

[splashgirl45]

i am lucky when i walk my dogs and most of the dogs in my local park are off lead and friendly so my 2 dont go on the lead. i agree that some dogs are aggressive when on the lead but they may also be the same if off lead, which could lead to a nasty incident.

 

[CorvusCorax]

I am probably very wrong here - and feel free to correct me but for many, many years it has been my belief if one or perhaps both dogs are on a lead they will be very much more aggressive and on high alert and defensive than would be the case if they were allowed low key, as in 'ignore them and just walk on briskly' allowed tentative sniffs of each other and then hurry on to catch up with their respective owners?

My dogs are extremely precious to me and it's not something I would risk with an unknown dog.
Likewise, with one of my dogs, such a scenario would likely end in someone getting punctured so best not to risk it.

The other is extremely friendly, he is not aggressive or on alert when on lead, he wags his tail and smiles broadly and he does get allowed a sniff and a hello with friendly dogs....buuut he is big and bold and as evidenced in this thread, not everyone wants their dog to be splatted by a rambunctious GSD (splatting is their default, I have the bruises to prove it)....so for his reputation and that of the breed as a whole I'd rather be known as the person who keeps their two large dogs on a line and under control rather than the one with two big Alsayshuns running all over the place.

 

[Keith_Beef]

I also don’t understand what you mean by artificial. Because someone has decided yellow is the colour to use to show others that the dog needs space? DINOS and the use of yellow is reasonably well known on some dog related forums in the U.K. I’d steer well clear of a dog wearing yellow.

Arbitrary? Why is it arbitrary? Someone decided on various colours for tail ribbons for horses. You’d be silly to ignore that. Is that not arbitrary because it’s been in place a while?

All colour codes are arbitrary, as are all signs. They need to be learnt, that means that they need to be taught.

Somebody comes up with a very good idea, that there should be a signal to indicate that a dog should be left alone. Great. Choose any colour code, any symbol you like. But if you keep that a secret from everybody except the owners of dogs, it kind of defeats the object.

Any message that is not understood by those who are the intended recipients is a failure.

Those harnesses and kerchiefs with a readable message shown by skinnydipper are great. I can read the message, because somebody taught me how to read the arbitrary symbols that we call the letters of the alphabet, and somebody taught me English.

A red ribbon in a horse's tail to indicate that it's a kicker is one that I know about because I've read about it, when reading about hunting. But it's also an arbitrary sign.

And "DINOS"? Another one I've never encountered... What is it?

 

[Cinnamontoast]

Dogs In Need of Space, the yellow movement. So you've been taught that yellow (in the UK) means give space. Is it therefore no longer arbitrary?

 

[CorvusCorax]

An interesting aside....my dogs have never been rushed by others out of control whilst walking in any other countries we've been in. Might be why it may not be an issue where Keith is?

 

[skinnydipper]

All colour codes are arbitrary, as are all signs. They need to be learnt, that means that they need to be taught.

Somebody comes up with a very good idea, that there should be a signal to indicate that a dog should be left alone. Great. Choose any colour code, any symbol you like. But if you keep that a secret from everybody except the owners of dogs, it kind of defeats the object.

Any message that is not understood by those who are the intended recipients is a failure.

Those harnesses and kerchiefs with a readable message shown by skinnydipper are great. I can read the message, because somebody taught me how to read the arbitrary symbols that we call the letters of the alphabet, and somebody taught me English.

A red ribbon in a horse's tail to indicate that it's a kicker is one that I know about because I've read about it, when reading about hunting. But it's also an arbitrary sign.

And "DINOS"? Another one I've never encountered... What is it?

Thank you for explaining, KB. I understand where you are coming from now.

The coloured leashes are based on a traffic light system.

Green for friendly (I think this one is unnecessary)
Yellow for Dogs in Need of Space
Red for aggressive dogs

I have known about the scheme for a number of years though I can't remember where I first learned of it. I don't buy dog magazines and I am not a member of other dog forums.

I don't know how you would get the message out to the wider public when the majority of dog owners seem unaware.

If people showed a bit of common sense and courtesy to other dogs and their owners, these leads would not be necessary.

It is actually very rude behaviour for a dog to rush into another dog's space uninvited. Some dogs have a larger personal space and some just don't want to interact with every dog they meet. Dogs with appropriate social skills would approach slowly and in a curve to see if they are welcome.

It is not unusual to see owners allow their dogs to approach and bully other dogs with their body language and think that they just want to be friends - another instance of owners not understanding their dogs.

See Lev's comment from another thread:

- Sadly I think most of the time it is the owners who don’t speak dog rather than anything to do with the dog being unusual or not understanding. I’m amazed how people totally misinterpret the signs that their own and other dogs are giving off ☹️

Read more at https://forums.horseandhound.co.uk/threads/some-dogs-just-dont-speak-dog.774800/#BV07CiKjKXWvWq2K.99

 

[Keith_Beef]

Dogs In Need of Space, the yellow movement. So you've been taught that yellow (in the UK) means give space. Is it therefore no longer arbitrary?

Thanks.

It's still arbitrary, but at least now that you've taken the time to explain it, I understand it.

 

[rabatsa]

Oops I knew about Yellow leads = do not aproach, give a dog space but not about Red leads.

Damn I have a red training lead as that is the only colour Pets@Home had when I was looking for a webbing one for use in the rain.

If these leads are sold as warnings then it would help educate everyone if there was labeling on either the shelf or product to say so.

 

[Clodagh]

An interesting aside....my dogs have never been rushed by others out of control whilst walking in any other countries we've been in. Might be why it may not be an issue where Keith is?

My OH just got back from a week in rural France and he said there were no pet dogs to be seen. I imagine in the UK it is because we are overcrowded and having a dog is very popular.

 

[TheresaW]

One of our leads is red! Not for aggression, was the only colour for that particular lead I could get.

 

[skinnydipper]

I wouldn't worry too much about using a red dog lead. The collars, harnesses and leads for dogs with issues are usually printed with requests or warnings.

 

[dogatemysalad]

I didn't know dog leads are colour coded. My gentle collie has a red lead because I liked the zero shock design. I also wanted to buy yellow hi viz leads for dark mornings. Now it seems both my well trained, obedient dogs could be mistaken for having anti social issues. What a complicated society we live in.

 

[Clodagh]

Dangerous attack puppy.

 

[TGM]

I have been aware of the Yellow Dog Project but only associated it with the printed yellow bandanas and lead sleeves shown in one of the posts above. I wouldn't have realised though that just a plain yellow lead meant the same thing (not that I would let my dog run up to strange dogs anyway). I think the bandanas are a particularly good idea because not that many dogs wear bandanas so that catches your attention more and the printed message educates people so they know what it is about next time they see a dog wearing one. I think that relying on just a plain yellow lead to warn people isn't a very effective strategy I'm afraid.

 

[jumbyjack]

Laska has a yellow lead with 'nervous ' printed in black letters, gets totally ignored by the she won't be nervous of meeee brigade. My old dog went deaf and wore a tabard saying I'm deaf' which resulted in people talking to me very slowly with exaggerated mouth movements. They were a tad embarrassed when I said it's the dog wearing the tabard, doesn't that give you a clue?

 

[bonny]

Laska has a yellow lead with 'nervous ' printed in black letters, gets totally ignored by the she won't be nervous of meeee brigade. My old dog went deaf and wore a tabard saying I'm deaf' which resulted in people talking to me very slowly with exaggerated mouth movements. They were a tad embarrassed when I said it's the dog wearing the tabard, doesn't that give you a clue?

I’m another who wouldn’t notice what colour lead you have let alone it’s significance. Reading this thread I’m wondering why people think others should be aware of other dogs foibles. My old dog went deaf as well but she just bumbled along ignoring everyone and I never thought to inform anyone else. The only dogs who I think we should notice are different are guide dogs and I’m not surprised that people thought your I’m deaf tabard was about you and not the dog !

 

[MotherOfChickens]

I’m another who wouldn’t notice what colour lead you have let alone it’s significance. Reading this thread I’m wondering why people think others should be aware of other dogs foibles. My old dog went deaf as well but she just bumbled along ignoring everyone and I never thought to inform anyone else. The only dogs who I think we should notice are different are guide dogs and I’m not surprised that people thought your I’m deaf tabard was about you and not the dog !

so if you saw other dogs on a lead you'd not keep your dogs from mugging them? thats all its about really.

 

[bonny]

so if you saw other dogs on a lead you'd not keep your dogs from mugging them? thats all its about really.

I said I wouldn’t notice what colour lead anyone had, nothing else ! Mugging anyone didn’t come into it !

 

[Cinnamontoast]

I’m another who wouldn’t notice what colour lead you have let alone it’s significance. Reading this thread I’m wondering why people think others should be aware of other dogs foibles. My old dog went deaf as well but she just bumbled along ignoring everyone and I never thought to inform anyone else. The only dogs who I think we should notice are different are guide dogs and I’m not surprised that people thought your I’m deaf tabard was about you and not the dog !

People should be aware of other dogs' foibles because they could harm yours if you ignore them. If a dog is on lead, irrespective of lead colour, you should not let your dog approach. Actually, you shouldn't let your dog approach any dog, on or off lead unless the owner says it's OK. It's ill-mannered, IMO. My dogs will never approach other dogs. I expect the same courtesy from other owners. Sadly, I sometimes don't get it.

 

[bonny]

People should be aware of other dogs' foibles because they could harm yours if you ignore them. If a dog is on lead, irrespective of lead colour, you should not let your dog approach. Actually, you shouldn't let your dog approach any dog, on or off lead unless the owner says it's OK. It's ill-mannered, IMO. My dogs will never approach other dogs. I expect the same courtesy from other owners. Sadly, I sometimes don't get it.

This thread is about the significance of yellow leads, I think anyone you reads this forum knows the above ! I was saying I wouldn’t notice the colour of a dogs lead, even after reading this I wouldn’t !