A yellow ribbon on a dog’s collar is a signal that the dog needs extra space and shouldn’t be approached without permission.
Through the Yellow Dog Project, owners communicate that their dogs may be nervous, recovering, reactive, or in training.
If you see a dog wearing one, keep your distance, ask the owner before approaching, and teach children to respect its boundaries.
It’s not a sign that the dog is bad—it’s a simple way to help dogs feel safer and prevent unwanted interactions.