REXBURG ANIMAL SHELTER, REXBURG, ID

An idea whose time has come: Dogs in Need of Space

No doubt you’ve noticed, the pandemic has brought dog owners out in full force.

Even my parents have commented that there are lots of canines they’ve never seen before out on walks in their neighborhood.

Indeed, many dogs are just delighted to find their humans home and up for more outdoor outings than in the past — and that could be one of the silver linings of this chaotic situation.

Many of our resident furry friends have seen an improvement in the quality of their life, and many families took this homebound opportunity to foster or adopt a pup who was in a shelter.

Of course, that increased traffic means busier streets, sidewalks, parks, pathways and trails, which can also mean more conflict. And it’s probably safe to say that the main source of friction, at least here in the Jackson area, is off-leash dogs running up to people and other dogs, many of whom are on leash.

Until you’ve had a dog who needs some space it’s hard to imagine what that feels like, how stressful, upsetting, and frustrating it is for both the on-leash dog and the person holding on to that leash. But just because you don’t have one doesn’t mean dogs like this don’t exist, and it doesn’t mean there’s anything “wrong” with these dogs.

The acronym DINOS (Dogs In Need Of Space) was created by professional dog walker Jessica Dolce in 2012 after one too many experiences of having off leash dogs being allowed to approach well as tension on the leash. the dogs she worked with, which put her Plus, many dogs know they are unin a very tricky position. able to move away from something that

She also coined another acronym for bothers them when they are leashed, the offenders: MDIFs, since they so meaning their only option is to up their commonly try to excuse their dog’s inapdefenses. As as a general rule it’s wise to propriate behavior with a happily shoutjust not allow an off-leash dog to greet ed “Don’t worry, my dog is friendly!” But an on-leash dog, anytime. of course, for the owner of DINOS it’s It’s a shame that many folks with not OK at all. DINOS find walking in our town or

Who are Dogs In Need Of Space? Ofon the local pathways and trails totally ten they are injured or sick, perhaps restressful, always trying to dodge or ward covering from surgery. They off out-of-control off-leash can be elderly, arthritic, frail, dogs that come bounding perhaps blind or deaf. They up to them, the owners not may be in pain; they may be in sight or, more commona female in heat. They may ly, shouting at their dog to be in training for basic man“Come!” over and over, even ners, or service work. though it’s clear to everyone

They may just not be into a mile around that their dog that sort of thing. The fact is, dogs do not all love and Good Dog is not trained to come when called amid the temptation welcome dogs — or people — rushing up into their Krissi Goetz of another dog. I’ve even experienced this space or touching them. in places that are designated

They may actually be fearful of other leash zones, with owners who behave dogs or people. They may be a puppy like I’m the one in the wrong with an whose owner is trying to build confion-leash dog. dence. They may be newly adopted and It’s due to situations like those that already overwhelmed enough with all the Yellow Dog Project was born, with the changes in their life. the goal of educating the public and dog

They may be perfectly friendly but owners how to identify dogs needing just not comfortable with greeting anspace and promoting appropriate conother dog while on a leash, since dogs tact with those dogs. They encourage meeting on leash is a recipe for miscomthe use of yellow ribbons tied on a dog’s munication. That is due to a dog’s inabilleash — although yellow bandanas are ity to greet normally, compromised body also used — to identify DINOS as “yellanguage that can be misunderstood, as low dogs” to everyone who encounters them so they can be given more space.

Perhaps the Yellow Dog Project is a good place for Jackson to start. I’ve heard Park City, Utah, has already launched the concept of “yellow dogs” into its trail system education, with information and yellow bandanas available at trailheads.

While I love the idea behind the Yellow Dog Project, I’d love it even more if this wasn’t necessary. Really, it shouldn’t be up to a dog’s owner to convey normal dog needs to others. It should be common sense and standard etiquette to not allow your off-leash dog/your on-leash dog to rush up/drag you to another dog and for people to not try to interact with a dog unless given permission by both the owner and the dog.

Instead, perhaps a good rule of thumb to start incorporating into the cultural mindset — especially here in Jackson — is to assume people and their dogs don’t want to say hello unless you are specifically invited to do so.

And now may be the perfect time; America has undergone a big change with social norms relating to people and in just a couple of months has morphed into a society where keeping space between people is generally accepted.

So perhaps we’re ready to see this much-needed cultural change regarding dog etiquette as an idea whose time has come.

Krissi Goetz is a trainer with JH Positive Training. Contact her via columnists@jhnewsandguide.com.

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