A Berkshire pet accessory business has launched a campaign to raise awareness of anxiety in dogs by urging owners to dress their pets in yellow.
Sarah Jones, owner of My Anxious Dog in Bracknell, is bidding to raise public knowledge of the issue by creating a Dogs in Yellow Day (#dogsinyellow) March 20. It is hoped that dogs wearing yellow will become a recognised symbol and bring awareness for dogs that need some compassion and space whilst out on walks.
Sarah has developed a range of yellow pet accessories to alert people to anxious dogs, including harnesses, leads, lead covers, dog jumpers, raincoats, collars, stickers, posters, information packs, poo bag holders and safety lights. She has also devised a range of matching branded clothing for humans including vests, T-shirts and hoodies.
Sarah’s cocker spaniel Bella is the inspiration for her yellow pet accessory business. She said: “Bella was attacked by another dog when she was a puppy and this is where her fear of dogs started – it left her terrified. She would react to other dogs if they came too close either growling or lunging because she was scared.
“So I wanted to find a way that dogs such as Bella could be understood and as result, My Anxious Dog was born. Through compassionate awareness-raising, we will reach more unknowing dog owners and spread the understanding far and wide.
“When you see a dog wearing yellow it means that they need some space, and then the world feels much less frightening.”
There are many reasons why a dog could become anxious such as recovering from illness, ageing, being in training, being with a new family or female dogs being in season.
