I see walks advertised in beautiful places all the time and my heart says, “that would be lovely”… You read the description and your mind starts racing. Will there be off-lead dogs? Will someone say, “Don’t worry, he’s friendly”? Will I spend the whole time scanning the horizon instead of enjoying it?
Will they understand the yellow?”
That hesitation isn’t about not wanting to join in. It’s about protecting your dog. It’s about knowing how quickly a peaceful setting can become overwhelming if people don’t understand space.
On 20th March, we’re hosting a #DogsInYellow awareness walk at Cliveden National Trust in Buckinghamshire and it has been created intentionally with dogs who need space in mind.
The first reason it matters is simple: it’s actually designed for dogs who wear yellow.
Most walks aren’t. They’re lovely, but they’re general. They’re built for sociable, easy-going dogs who can cope with unpredictability. This one isn’t. It’s on-lead, thoughtfully organised and centred around awareness. You won’t need to apologise for managing your dog. You won’t need to explain the yellow harness or lead. Everyone attending already understands what it represents. That alone changes the tone of the day.
The second reason is something I don’t think we talk about enough — pressure.
When you constantly have to advocate, anticipate and prepare for the worst, it’s exhausting. There’s a big difference between turning up somewhere and hoping it will be okay, and turning up knowing it’s been planned with space and understanding in mind.
On this walk, we all understand what yellow means. We all understand that our dogs are anxious, fearful of something, in training or simply more comfortable with distance. Nobody needs to justify that. Nobody needs to defend it.
When expectations are clear and everyone is on the same page, owners relax. And when owners relax, dogs feel it too.
Another reason this walk matters is the people who will be there.
Living with a dog who needs space can feel incredibly isolating. You change your walking times. You avoid certain places. You replay interactions in your head afterwards. On this walk, you’ll be surrounded by people who live that reality too. There’s something powerful about not having to explain yourself. Just being around others who understand what yellow means and why it matters creates a completely different atmosphere.
It’s also about awareness in action.
Over the years I’ve been told so many times that “nobody knows what yellow means anyway.” But awareness doesn’t magically appear. It grows because people keep talking about it, modelling it and showing up. Every respectful interaction helps. Every time someone pauses, gives space or asks before approaching, that’s a small shift. This walk is part of that bigger picture. It’s about making yellow visible in a calm, positive way.
If you’ve never tried using yellow before, we’ll have a borrow bag on the day. You can pop a yellow lead slip or lead on and see how it feels.
Sometimes it’s only when you try it that you realise how much lighter it can make you feel too. When your dog’s needs are visible, you don’t have to explain quite so much. Their voice is there for people to see.
We’ll also have a limited number of goodie bags available for those who register to attend. Inside you’ll find thoughtful support from brands who genuinely understand what we’re building, including treats and calming dental sticks from Forthglade, calming spray from Pet Remedy, and a special yellow identity tag from Pet Trust (simply set up your dog’s profile and it’s theirs). There’ll even be a little yellow knitted flower to take home — and a few more things still to be announced.
It’s just our way of saying thank you for being part of something bigger.
And finally, it’s about you.
If you share your life with an anxious dog, you know how much work happens behind the scenes. The training, the management, the patience, the resilience. So many small wins that nobody else sees. This walk isn’t about fixing anything. It’s about recognising how far you’ve both come. For once, it’s a walk where dogs in yellow aren’t the awkward exception. They’re the reason we’re there.
We’ll also have a photographer there, gently capturing the bond between you and your dog because your journey deserves to be seen too. Not hidden, not apologised for but recognised and celebrated.
If you’ve ever wished for a space where your dog is understood without explanation, this might be it.
You’re welcome exactly as you are — and your dog’s yellow will be understood.