My Anxious Dog UK

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My Anxious Dog UK

Introducing an award winning range of yellow leads & harnesses for our anxious and reactive dogs. Was this another sign I should have picked up on? Thank you

Creator of the national awareness day on 20th March My experience with my own anxious dog, Bella
I have had dogs all my life and got a beautiful puppy in 2012, a Cocker Spaniel called Bella . I was so proud to take her to the vets for puppy socialisation class but she wasn't very interested, she mainly sat under my chair while a beagle pup caused havoc. She was brilliant at being tra

ined and in our puppy class we even won the award for "Best dog in class". However as we progressed in our class I noticed Bella completely fixating on me, hardly looking around the hall and if we were sat next to a dog that was playful or had no manners Bella would tell them off. "Serves you right" the owners would say "You need to be put in you place." Never once did the instructors say to me that Bella was anxious. I didn't know, I only had 2 other dogs in the past which were opposites to Bella, confident and pleased to be around everyone. However as we progressed in the levels of class Bella struggled with the "Stay" when I walked out of the room from her. Could I have done things differently if I understood my puppy's personality? We tried flyball in the summer of 2013, I saw an advert for lesson to learn the basics of flyball. It sounded fun and she was good, a great way to increase our bonding. Unfortunately Bella was attacked, a dog came flying from across the park and took Bella off her feet from the side. It sounded hurrrendous and this was the start of her becoming fearful to other dogs. I didn't know this at the time but looking back should I have done something different? Could I have helped her? From this her fear of being touched started. Looking back I think she was possibly bruised and when she was touched it was tender and sore. This was the start of her fear of people touching her. Next, Bella started growling at people
I phoned my dog trainer that I had done all my classes with when she first started growling at people, I was in tears I felt awful. She told me about using a yellow ribbon on her lead as it meant that she needed space.but I found people didn't know what this meant, so dogs still came bounding over and upsetting her. So I decided to develop and test my own range of yellow products and created a range of high quality leads and padded harnesses. I wanted a product that would suit Bella's needs and help other dog owners the understand her. When Bella wore the My Anxious Dog products, things started to change
Finally, people were starting to recognise she needed space, the KEEP AWAY on the yellow helped get the message over. I found it such a massive help and it made me feel so much calmer when out in public too. I did go through a stage of embarrassment, it felt like having a naughty child at school! But I don't think I really understood my dog. I didn't understand it was from fear. Seeing her confidence grow made me smile
In time, Bella was able to enjoy classes again
I was lucky that a few years ago I found an agility group that welcomed anxious dogs in their classes. They were small classes which were great and we always had the end chair. Our teacher was fantastic, she also had a reactive dog so we settled in well and really enjoyed it. I think Bella did too as long as she had the space. It really helped finding a group with other dog owners with anxious dogs as I didn't feel like the odd one out. I didn't feel like I was being judged. We even went on to do scent work and group walks which gave Bella confidence around the dogs she met every week. Now more people are aware of My Anxious Dog and what wearing yellow means. It takes time and effort but I have raised awareness in my area, asking for permission to put poo bin stickers on the bins in parks. By giving posters to all our local vets to display in the waiting rooms. By having several videos produced of dogs talking about why they wear yellow. All these videos, poo bin stickers, wheelie bin stickers, car stickers and posters I have designed so owners of reactive dogs can also raise awareness in their own areas too. You can’t re-enforce fear in a dog when you offer them your support. Remember time and patience are you and your dogs friend when it come to over coming or managing anxiety. There is no such thing a quick fix, in some cases managing your dogs anxiety can be a life long commitment. Thankfully, there is more awareness of anxiety in dogs now, and wearing yellow is a way of warning other owners your dog needs space. This is my journey so far with an anxious dog.

23/06/2024

We're not nasty, we're not bad, we are not even mean.
We are just a bit scared or nervous sometimes.
All you need to do is give us some space, and the world feels much less frightening sometimes.
When my human asks you to call your dog back, its not beccause they think your dogs bad or naughty either, We just like different things.
And they are just trying to help me feel safe.
Next time you see a dog wearing yellow, will you do something for me?
Just give them a little more space. It will mean the world to us 💛

20/06/2024

We are so excited to announce that we will be at next month. It is the first time we will be visiting Scotland and we can’t wait! Who’s coming?

10/06/2024

https://www.thesun.co.uk/.../paws-and-claws-pet-queries.../
Our have made it into Paws & Claws in The Sun on Sunday. They have featured our Yellow Space Zones that I have designed for dog festivals!

07/06/2024

We are really excited to be packing the van up as we are taking our Yellow Space Zones off to Burghley House, Stamford in Lincolnshire this weekend. Our Yellow Space Zones are designed to help anxious dogs decompress and have some chill out time.
We want to make sure every dog can have the best time at DogFest, and much like humans not every dog is made for the hustle and bustle!

03/06/2024

We were at Dogstival 2024 this weekend. It was a great event.
Did you go?

01/06/2024

Team have arrived at Dogstival!

26/05/2024

The team are heading to the Suffolk Show this Wednesday as guests with the amazing team at Best Behaviour Dog Training.
Zoe Willingham, the founder and an incredible behaviourist, currently has 35 dogs under her expert care because they were in desperate need of help. Zoe offers multi award winning training in Suffolk with qualified and accredited trainers and behaviourists.
I’m thrilled to chat about our and showcase our products.
Can’t wait to see you there. 💛

26/05/2024

The team are heading to the Suffolk Show this Wednesday as guests with the amazing team at Best Behaviour Dog Training.
Zoe Willingham, the founder and an incredible behaviourist, currently has 35 dogs under her expert care. offers multi award winning training in Suffolk with qualified and accredited trainers and behaviourists. I’m thrilled to chat about our and showcase our products.
Can’t wait to see you there! 💛

19/05/2024

Making our cardboard chaos game a little harder!
I’m not feeling very well today so I have been doing some fun games with Bella indoors. Our snuffle pockets have been hidden in the empty toilet roll holders and egg boxes to make her nose work that little bit harder.
The 7 little pockets are easily hidden around the house and garden giving Bella some fab mental stimulation.

19/05/2024

We are so excited to announce we will be at Dogstival this year at Burly Park on 1st & 2nd June 2024. Dogstival is also supporting our ground breaking initiative for our with our Yellow Space Zone which create a haven for owners and their anxious dogs. More details to follow

17/05/2024

Did you know about the shake off?

JUST SHAKE IT OFF
Dogs constantly communicate through their body language.

A “shake off” is one of the many types of body language and is one of the easier ones to notice.

The shake off can provide us with important insights as to how our dogs are feeling.

Besides being a very effective way to get rid of dirt, pesky bugs and water - dogs can remove up to 70% of water in one single shake off - the shake off is often seen just after something that a dog needs a mental reset from.

It’s a way to flush out adrenaline and could be compared to us taking a deep breath to reset our nervous system and calm ourselves down.

Dogs instinctively know they feel better when they just shake it all off!

It’s their way of saying “Phew, I’m glad that’s over, now I can put it behind me and move on”.

Shaking off is a positive way to calm down, reset and cope with stress – be that negative or positive stress.

Sometimes a shake off could be due to an underlying medical reason like an ear infection, allergy, itching or pain.

If you notice a shake off, look at what has just happened beforehand. This will provide a good clue as to what it is that your dog needs to reset from.

02/05/2024

If you have a noise reactive dog then Swallowdale is perfect.
Such a pretty quiet village and the pub food sounds amazing!

Swallowdale is one of our Reactive Dog friendly properties - and one of the ones which gets rave reviews! We even did a little shoot with Bella from My Anxious Dog UK when they stayed there in between shows.

But you don't need an anxious or reactive dog to stay! It's a few minutes walk to The Crown pub with its famous pies which go from classics to mac n' cheese pulled pork pie, it's less than 10 minutes to the beach and local shops and there are some great North Norfolk bigger towns and villages close by too.

Sleeps 4 | 4 Dogs (flex) | Reactive Dog friendly

https://www.eastrustoncottages.co.uk/accommodation/swallowdale/

02/05/2024

Anyone coming this weekend? 💛

29/04/2024

Rain may have poured down at but it didn’t dampen our spirits. Instead of sniffing out treats in the Yellow Space Zone, we put our leftover pate from to good use. Using the treat chopper, we chopped it up and bagged it ready for the freezer. Huge thanks to JR and No Fuss Fill for their donations our can’t wait for the next event.

27/04/2024

We met this stunning mini schnauzer today. She’s a bit uncertain around other dogs so we fitted her with our new style Y harness, with anxious embroidered in black. The sponge padding around her body ensures she feels secure and comfy. Here’s to happier walks

23/04/2024

We're delighted to share that we'll be at DogFest at Loseley Hall this weekend, 27th & 28th April 2024.
Join us to speak with our expert team about your .
Be sure to check out our new padded Y-style harness at the show – come see and feel the quality that makes us an award-winning brand!
DogFest is supporting our ground breaking initiative for , with our Yellow Space Zone creating a haven for owners and their anxious dogs. 🐶💛
Plus, don't miss the opportunity to chat with the wonderful from Pippin Pets with Jo Sellers- Separation Anxiety Specialist about your training challenges. Let's find the direction for your dog to achieve your training goals together!

23/04/2024

This is such a clever illustration!
We spend so much time on our phones or watching tv when we could be doing more fun stuff with our dogs.

It can be hard to pull your dog away from things sometimes. Squirrels, leaves, rustling bushes.

If we look at the predatory sequence, seeking and stalking is a big part of this. And for some breeds, the watching part, is even better than the chase itself.

So if you can let them watch a little longer, you may be letting them catch up on the best series ever.

22/04/2024

Thank you for coming to visit us today. Ruby only came to when she heard about our Yellow Space Zone. You were a gorgeous girl and she really enjoyed spending 15 minutes exploring and chilling out.

21/04/2024

Here is what our vision for our Yellow Space Zones was - A safe retreat. Owners can take a break with their dog while their dog has a sniffathon and can chill out

20/04/2024

Day 1 at Newark is a wrap.
Now that everyone has gone home it’s a perfect time to take a leisurely walk around the stalls. We got a photo in famous deck chair

20/04/2024

Loving snuffling at and thank you for the Wild Boar Pate for our Yellow Space Zone

18/04/2024

Don’t limit wearing your awareness sweatshirts or hoodies to just dog walks. Wearing them when you grab a coffee or meet friends at a dog friendly cafe can spark meaningful conversations. We found that it really got people talking around us. Every little bit of awareness helps others to understand that a dog wearing yellow needs space. Let’s keep the conversation going!

17/04/2024

Let’s explore!

15/04/2024

And that’s a wrap!

14/04/2024

Incredible news! The first day of our Yellow Space Zone was a roaring success! We had a fantastic turnout with lots of curious noses sniffing, playing, and enjoying their 15 minutes of relaxation. Both dogs and owners left feeling calm, happy and rejuvenated. Thank you to everyone who visited and made it such a special day 💛

13/04/2024

Our Yellow Space Zone is open! 💛

12/04/2024

We have arrived at and are setting up ready for tomorrow. I got a little emotional to see our first ever Yellow Space Zone for our

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RG425TG

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Videos

Let’s talk about our cool dogs in yellow and the gentle reminder that sometimes, they might be feeling a bit anxious or scared. Just like us, our four legged buddies have their moments of anxiety and can feel vulnerable. So when you spot a dog in yellow, remember a little distance can go a long way! Give them some room, let them take a breather and watch as their world becomes a brighter and less frightening place. #dogsinyellow 💛

Meet my adorable anxious furball, Bella, the ultimate Squeezy Reward Dispenser enthusiast. When it comes to treats, she has declared the Squeezy Reward Dispenser as her absolute favourite! It's a treat-focused affair every time we bring out this magical dispenser. The squeezy silicone tube allows her to enjoy the delightful textures of pureed fruits, soft cheese, yogurt, or her beloved dog-friendly peanut butter. The extendable reel attaches effortlessly to our belt or walking bag. This not only keeps her engaged but also provides the perfect distraction for our little bundle of joy during those anxious moments outdoors. Every adventure becomes a treat-filled journey, surprising and delighting Bella with a new soft treat each time. Plus, the Squeezy Reward Dispenser is so easy to clean, making it a win-win. Reusable and always ready for the next licking adventure! Share your Squeezy Reward Dispenser moments with us!

So here is my exciting news! I am thrilled to share that I’ve been invited onto the “A walk in the park” podcast hosted by Animal Friends. I had a wonderful chat with Patricia about all things related to our beloved dogs in yellow. Stay tuned for our episode in November where we dive deep into the world of our furry friends. More details coming soon. Can’t wait to share this pawsome experience with you all.

It’s was so windy yesterday on the beach it kept blowing her ball away!! 🤣 #dogsinyellow

Embracing Bella’s safety and freedom. Bella has to wear a muzzle around her dog pals. Bella is selective about her friendships, but no shame here - its all about keeping her safe and ensuring she can navigate social situations comfortably. Muzzles give her the freedom she deserves while respecting her boundaries. Here’s to happy play dates and wagging tails, even if they are distanced!

Enjoy hands free walks with My Anxious double ended leads. Say goodbye to the hassle of always holding the lead and hello to the freedom of hands free walks with our yellow double ended lead. Enjoy the flexibility of adjusting the lead’s length to your desired comfort. Easily attach the clips to different points along the lead, giving your dog just the right amount of freedom while keeping them safe and secure. #dogsinyellow

The sun is finally shining, and it's a perfect bank holiday weekend to get out and enjoy the outdoors with our furry friends! 🌞🌼 But what if you have an anxious dog who gets reactive or scared around other dogs or strangers? 🐶😟 Well, let me share a tip that has been a game-changer for me and my anxious pup! You see, my dog is a bundle of nerves and needs some extra space to feel comfortable. But how do people know to give us that space when we're out and about? The answer is simple: we use the power of YELLOW! 💛 By outfitting my dog with yellow space awareness accessories, we send a clear message to others from a distance that my dog needs some extra room. It's like a visual cue that says, "Hey, we're working on building confidence here!" When people see the yellow, they understand that my furry companion may be reactive or scared, and they give us the space we need. It's incredible how this simple, visible signal has made a world of difference in our outings. 🙌🏼🚶‍♂️🐕 So, if you have a nervous or reactive dog and want to enjoy the sunshine while ensuring their comfort, consider using yellow space awareness accessories. Let's create a supportive and understanding community for all our furry friends out there! 🌟💛 #AnxiousDogLife #YellowSpaceAwareness #SunshineAndPups #BankHolidayWeekend #RespectfulEncounters

EMERGENCY U-TURN - FIVE DAY CHALLENGE! Gemma from Canine Reactive would like to invite you to take part in the five-day challenge starting on the 10th of April 2023. Walking a reactive dog can be very stressful for both the dog and its owner. Having some emergency strategies in place for those moments when there is an off-lead dog and no sign of an owner anywhere can really help build your confidence, not to mention reduce the number of reactive episodes your dog has, whilst at the same time reducing their stress build-up. One method we use is the Emergency U-Turn, it is simple to teach and can be a lifesaver! Starting on the 10th of April I will come on live into the group at 7AM (UK time). The live will be around 15 minutes long. Here is the itinerary. Day 1 Welcome and intro to me. Why are emergency U-turns useful? Why it is important to ensure it is trained right to prevent further worry in our dogs. Equipment you will need, how to be accountable for yourself during the challenge by taking part - with evidence. 🙂 Day 2 Stage one of training - I will demo with my own dog. 🙂 Day 3 Stage two of training - I will demo with my own dog. 🙂 Day 4 Stage three of training - again I will demo with my own dog. 🙂 Day 5 FREE MASTERCLASS - Bonus one-hour session in zoom where you can learn more about your reactive dog and how you can help him. This will be at 7pm (UK time) in the evening. Details will be given during day one of the challenge.

Did you know we have 3 talking dogs videos to help with raising awareness? After doing a survey on the impact of wearing yellow an amazing 91% of owners using yellow space awareness products for their dogs are working to increase awareness of what it means in their local area. Please help and share our talking dogs video at the bus stop 💛

Can your dog wear a coat and harness, the answer is yes!

So, can your dog wear a coat and harness together, the answer is yes! The key to making sure this works out well for your furry friends is to make sure that the hole in the coat lines up with where on their harness you attach their lead. Choosing the right coat is where it all begins and ours are perfect for this. Here is a quick demonstration on how to put our raincoat on over our Y harness.

When your dog wears yellow, it's a clear visual sign that catches peoples eye. It is the most visible colour making it easy to spot even at a distance. What’s your #doginyellow wearing today?

Thank you to all these gorgeous #dogsinyellow for sharing their photos with us. If you have a fab photo send it to us and we will add it to our website 💛

A customer sent me a lovely message yesterday with this video. She said “Today has really made me more confident and more relaxed and I feel I protect my baby. Thank you. And it helps so much with training too as I could carry on with focusing her because I had the space.” I love receiving such lovely messages and very proud that this amazing lady can walk with confidence. 💛

So sometimes we stop and play games. Today we played “Find it” After I asked Bella to sit and notice how she looks around before she sits. #dogsinyellow #yellowarmy💛

Shortcuts

My Anxious Dog Bella

I have had dogs all my life and got a beautiful Cocker Spaniel Bella in 2012. She was brillant in training and in our puppy class we even won the award for “Best dog in class”. However as we progressed in classes Bella struggled with the “Stay” when I walked away and I did not understand this was because she was anxious. Unfortunately Bella was attacked a couple of times (nothing too serious) when she was young and became fearful of other dogs. This also developed into being fearful of strangers and not liking to being touched. My dog trainer told me about using the yellow ribbon as it meant that she needed space but people did not know what this meant so I developed and tested my own range of yellow space awareness products. I found it such a massive help and it made me feel so much calmer. I have used the yellow harness and lead on Bella for over 3 years now and we never leave the house without it, I even put it on her every week at our agility classes because people forget and she looks too pretty. Bella’s levels when out in public improved massively as people did give her space, occasionally we have the odd dog come running up in the park but I explain what the yellow means so next time they see a dog in yellow they will understand what it means.

Raising awareness has also become a passion for me, so I designed a posters and range of stickers which I have given to all our local vets and parish councils. If you also want to raise awareness in your area these can be found on our website www.myanxiousdog.co.uk

Thank you