Quote: ian bunbury

yellow ribbon . . . wtf ?

It may seem obvious to us to not let our dogs run up to strange dogs, but in many urban/suburban areas, many people encourage this, so this idea is kind of cool. I think the facebook page has something like 13,000 followers. So, while it isn't too prevalent yet, it's catching on in some areas.

I think it is absurd that a person should need to tie a ribbon around a leash in order for others to exhibit common manners. I don't allow my friendly dog to approach other dogs or people unless the other person expresses some interest in them interacting. However, I am probably the only person that goes to local dog parks and actually interacts with, and monitors, my dog.

I hadn't heard of this, I thought yellow ribbons were tied around trees for people coming out of the big house, or people who were missing??

I learn something every day here

 Quote: Bryan Simms

I think it is absurd that a person should need to tie a ribbon around a leash in order for others to exhibit common manners.

"Common manners" aren't so common in many areas. I'm sure there are many things that we think are doggy "manners" that others consider rude.

Adding a little yellow ribbon to my leash doesn't cause me any extra effort, but even if it makes a single owner keep his dog under control, I'm all for it. While we shouldn't NEED to use a ribbon, I'm a pragmatist, not a realist, so I use whatever works.

John;

The problem is that most people you encounter will have no knowledge of the "yellow ribbon' protocol, or, worse yet, ignore it as readily as they do leash laws.

yellow ribbon! just like at low level horse show!

I will keep the rest for myself as it would not be familly friendly

Oh, absolutely. I wouldn't rely on it, but my point is that it can't hurt.

A yellow ribbon is another step towards more PC crap to avoid taking responsibility for our actions! It just gives the other person, with or without a dog, another reason they don't have to be accountable for their own stupidity.

"HEY! Your dog bit me/my dog and all we wanted to do was a little butt sniffing and petting". !!!TS!!!

My responsibility is to "control MY dog". Your's is to do the same!
If you don't know me or my dogs then ask or stay away.
Trespassers in my space will not be treated fondly!

This is a public service announcement and not directed at anyone in particular. ;-)

I took my lab X Shyner to the vet once when she was seriously ill. She was lying next to me and the couple next to me had a puppy bouncing all over her. I moved. Puppy followed. I looked at the couple and told them to look at my dog. They did. I asked them if they honestly thought she looked healthy. They shook their heads. I then told them that I did not know what was wrong with her,that she may die, and if they wanted their puppy to get the same thing, by all means continue to let it crawl all over her. They moved to the other side of the room.

I am blunt when it comes to my dogs. I don't care what others think- I may never see this person again in my life- why should I care what they think??

I am lucky to have 50 acres for the dogs to run on, and 350 more that the neighbors let us hike on. I have to watch out for the occasional bear or cougar, but even those are better to deal with than stupid owners with flexi-leads.

I remember going on a trail ride once and them telling me that I needed to put a red ribbon in Breeze's tail because she kicks. I said if nobody rides up her butt, she won't kick. Common sense. I refused to put a ribbon in her tail. Anyone who will ride up the butt of a horse ahead of them should be required to wear an "I'M A SUICIDAL IDIOT" sign.

Just my 2 cents

On the topic of the yellow ribbon project, it really doesn't work. A company just started up here called Friendly Dog Collars Australia; http://www.friendlydogcollars.com.au/

They have harnesses, leads and collars that are colour coded with text on them. The biggest seller is the 'traffic light system'; green = 'friendly', yellow = 'no dogs', red = 'caution'. They also have 'adopt me', 'nervous', 'blind' and some other stuff. I'm not sure if you can buy them in the U.S, but they are for sale on ebay so they might ship overseas.

This does work, and even if someone's dumb enough to ignore the warnings and there is an incident, you've got some form of defence if it becomes a legal issue.