Dog owners practice Yellow Dog Project

by Hailey Trealout

Talking animals have been depicted in movies and shows since the debut of Felix the Cat in 1923, and have given people a whole new view of man’s closest companions.

The Yellow Dog Project was created for the sole purpose of giving pets the voice they need to keep themselves and those around them safe and relaxed. The project asks dog owners who have dogs with special needs to tie a yellow ribbon to their leash, indicating the dog needs space.

“It may be a puppy in training who jumps, and the parent is trying to curb that habit, or an adult dog who got her teeth cleaned and doesn’t feel well, but still needs to go for a small walk,” said Tara Palardy, who began the initiative last year. “It is not a replacement for training. Placing a ribbon on your dog’s leash does not mean you are free from repercussions.”

It was after seeing posters promoting a similar idea for pit bull advocacy and the Gulahund project in Sweden that Palardy started the Yellow Dog Project in Alberta. She said since the idea started in September it has expanded to 47 other countries.

Ashleigh Smith-Adam is the owner of four-year-old chocolate lab, Rigby, and two-year-old lab/retriever, Flynn. She heard about the Yellow Dog Project through Facebook and said it could decrease the amount of bite incidents if more people participated.

“I have a co-worker with a pointer that has epilepsy. Her dog is sweet natured, but after he has a seizure he acts a bit aggressive towards other dogs which is out of character for him,” said Smith-Adam. “She takes precautions with her dog, letting him out for shorter walks, going out of her way to avoid other dog owners, but she’s still experienced faceoffs with other dog owners who accuse her of having a poorly behaved/aggressive dog.”

Dogs working in important situations, such as guide dogs, are marked with special vests to indicate they should be left alone to do their job. With the Yellow Dog Project, dogs with special needs can be given that same respect and space they need to keep other dogs and their owners safe.