BSAVA celebrates #DogsInYellow day to give anxious dogs space

20 March 2023

The BSAVA is celebrating National #DogsInYellow day on 20 March 2023, to help spread the word about what wearing yellow means and why anxious and reactive dogs may need space.

#DogsInYellow day aims to help raise awareness of why a dog may be wearing a yellow lead, collar, bandana, or coat; spreading the word that wearing yellow means ‘please give me space’ will help anxious dogs and their owners have a less stressful time in public places.

“There are many reasons why a dog may need some extra space,” said Alison Speakman, BSAVA President. “Wearing yellow doesn’t automatically signify that the dog is reactive towards other dogs or people. They may be fearful, elderly, sight or hearing compromised or recovering from illness or injury. Giving them space will help to reduce their anxiety and potential for a fear response; much less stressful for the dog and for the owner too.”

BSAVA will be helping #DogsInYellow to trend across social media on 20 March by sharing social media resources produced by the #DogsInYellow organisers here.

BSAVA has also produced a collection of resources around behaviour and anxiety in dogs, freely available in the BSAVA Library from 20th – 27th March here.

Alison continued, “By supporting #DogsInYellow day on social media and in practice we can get the message out to as many people as possible to help improve the lives of anxious dogs as well as reducing stress levels for their owners when they are out and about.”