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When out on a walk with your pup, you may have noticed other dogs with brightly colored vests, leashes or collars. More often than not, these are not fashion statements but serve as a warning to fellow dog-walkers. Indeed, dogs may need space for a number of reasons. Whether it’s because of their role as a service dog, or because they’re experiencing anxiety or aggression issues, it’s important to be aware of what a dog’s color-coded accessories are telling you.Here’s a breakdown of the different doggy identifications to be aware of.
Usually, the first thing you might notice on another dog is the harness, vest or collar they are wearing. Especially if it’s larger than usual or a brighter color. Often these colors have a specific meaning.
These brightly colored accessoriesfor dogs can help to communicate quickly and clearly to other owners that this particular dog needs space.
While service dogs have been wearing special harnesses for some time, the line of work and services they provide has experienced some change in the last few years. Each requires their own identification to make encounters, whether at the park or in a local business, a smooth experience for all.
A new addition to warning accessories are the “nervous” or “aggressive” dog vests, or collars. You may have already seen these on your daily walks. While they may seem strange or anti-social at first, these vests actually play an important role in the welfare of all local dogs, including yours.
Usually, the first thing you might notice on another dog is the harness, vest or collar they are wearing. Especially if it’s larger than usual or a brighter color. Often these colors have a specific meaning.
These brightly colored accessoriesfor dogs can help to communicate quickly and clearly to other owners that this particular dog needs space.
While service dogs have been wearing special harnesses for some time, the line of work and services they provide has experienced some change in the last few years. Each requires their own identification to make encounters, whether at the park or in a local business, a smooth experience for all.
A new addition to warning accessories are the “nervous” or “aggressive” dog vests, or collars. You may have already seen these on your daily walks. While they may seem strange or anti-social at first, these vests actually play an important role in the welfare of all local dogs, including yours.
If an owner is working with a sensitive rescue, or rehabilitating an aggressive dog,unwanted attention from other dogs is a difficult thing to navigate. Making it clear that they shouldn’t be approached can help immensely in their training - reducing their dog’s level of anxiety, fear and reactivity whilst getting in some exercise. It also helps to keep your dog safe too, who could otherwise unknowingly provoke a sensitive canine and be hurt in the process.
While the colors may vary depending on owner preference, these are the most common color combinations found. Most likely, the dog’s job title will be printed on their vest too, for further clarification.
Guide dogs usually wear fluorescent yellow and have accompanying handles attached to their harness. These highly trained dogs help both blind and visually-impaired people move about the world in a safe way.
If an owner is working with a sensitive rescue, or rehabilitating an aggressive dog,unwanted attention from other dogs is a difficult thing to navigate. Making it clear that they shouldn’t be approached can help immensely in their training - reducing their dog’s level of anxiety, fear and reactivity whilst getting in some exercise. It also helps to keep your dog safe too, who could otherwise unknowingly provoke a sensitive canine and be hurt in the process.
While the colors may vary depending on owner preference, these are the most common color combinations found. Most likely, the dog’s job title will be printed on their vest too, for further clarification.
Guide dogs usually wear fluorescent yellow and have accompanying handles attached to their harness. These highly trained dogs help both blind and visually-impaired people move about the world in a safe way.
These dogs are able to sense when their owner needs help with long-term illnesses or conditions. This could be sensing when a diabetic owner’s blood sugar is low, or when an eplieptic seizure is about to happen. Medical dogs usually wear a dark red harness.
Assistance dogs usually wear a purple-colored harness. They are trained to assist their owners with daily tasks that may be too difficult for them to perform alone. This could be anything from household chores to opening doors.
These dogs are trained to be the ears for their deaf owners, helping them know if there is a doorbell or telephone ringing, for example. They usually wear a deep burgundy vest.
These dogs are able to sense when their owner needs help with long-term illnesses or conditions. This could be sensing when a diabetic owner’s blood sugar is low, or when an eplieptic seizure is about to happen. Medical dogs usually wear a dark red harness.
Assistance dogs usually wear a purple-colored harness. They are trained to assist their owners with daily tasks that may be too difficult for them to perform alone. This could be anything from household chores to opening doors.
These dogs are trained to be the ears for their deaf owners, helping them know if there is a doorbell or telephone ringing, for example. They usually wear a deep burgundy vest.
These dogs are trained to help autistic children feel relaxed,often resting their head on the autistic child’s knee to provide comfort in times of distress. These dogs often wear a light blue vest.
These dogs assist a person with a psychiatric disorder, either by providing comfort, securityor reminders for medication. These dogs often work with those suffering from PTSD, and usually wear a green vest with white lettering.
These dogs technically do not qualify as “service” or “assistance” dogs under the current guidelines, however they provide emotional comfort to their owner.Sometimes they are identified by their owners in a way of their choice, but most often they are not.
These dogs are trained to help autistic children feel relaxed,often resting their head on the autistic child’s knee to provide comfort in times of distress. These dogs often wear a light blue vest.
These dogs assist a person with a psychiatric disorder, either by providing comfort, securityor reminders for medication. These dogs often work with those suffering from PTSD, and usually wear a green vest with white lettering.
These dogs technically do not qualify as “service” or “assistance” dogs under the current guidelines, however they provide emotional comfort to their owner.Sometimes they are identified by their owners in a way of their choice, but most often they are not.
In order to keep other dogs (and their own dog) safe, some owners may wish to identify that their dog is undergoing rehabilitation for aggressive behaviour. Therefore, a warning vest is usually worn in an orange or red hue, with “No Dogs'' or “Aggressive” written in clear lettering, to denote the high risk nature of the animal.
These dogs may be fearful or reactive to other dogs, and need their space to feel safe and secure. Therefore, the common color for these vests, leashes and collars is yellow, to promote caution, and “Nervous” or “Keep Away” may be written in clear lettering.
In order to keep other dogs (and their own dog) safe, some owners may wish to identify that their dog is undergoing rehabilitation for aggressive behaviour. Therefore, a warning vest is usually worn in an orange or red hue, with “No Dogs'' or “Aggressive” written in clear lettering, to denote the high risk nature of the animal.
These dogs may be fearful or reactive to other dogs, and need their space to feel safe and secure. Therefore, the common color for these vests, leashes and collars is yellow, to promote caution, and “Nervous” or “Keep Away” may be written in clear lettering.
When you see an assistance dog at work, it’s a great idea to respect their space and privacy. The best ways to do this are:
While these bright vests and harsh slogans may seem off-putting, remember that the vest needs to stand out to you and other dogs, even in low light or from a distance. If you notice these accessories on a dog, be sure to keep your dog away, no matter how friendly they appear. This means that you, as a human, should also not pet them or stroke them - as this might frighten them also.
If your own dog has reactive tendencies, don’t be afraid of highlighting this to other owners. An owner who tells the world that the dog needs space and time to get to know new surroundings is a responsible one. Yellow or red accessories are a simple, effective and easy way to stop any unwanted encounters or unfortunate accidents. It also gives your dog the time and adjustment periods it needs to gain confidence whilst out and about.
While these bright vests and harsh slogans may seem off-putting, remember that the vest needs to stand out to you and other dogs, even in low light or from a distance. If you notice these accessories on a dog, be sure to keep your dog away, no matter how friendly they appear. This means that you, as a human, should also not pet them or stroke them - as this might frighten them also.
If your own dog has reactive tendencies, don’t be afraid of highlighting this to other owners. An owner who tells the world that the dog needs space and time to get to know new surroundings is a responsible one. Yellow or red accessories are a simple, effective and easy way to stop any unwanted encounters or unfortunate accidents. It also gives your dog the time and adjustment periods it needs to gain confidence whilst out and about.
We hope this guide helps you, the next time you encounter a warning accessory on a dog. It certainly helped us brush up on our assistance dog knowledge and the amazing ways they help people across the country. Plus, how responsible owners are paving the way to more harmony in the dog park. Great job, pups!
