I’ve been thinking a lot recently about how much it would help reactive, nervous and anxious dogs if dog trainers were on board with educating and showing owners how powerful yellow can be.
Yellow space awareness accessories like lead slips, harnesses and leads can help drastically improve stressful walks by communicating to others that your dog needs space.
But what do dog trainers think about using yellow accessories to support anxious dogs?
Insights from The Dog Trainer School and The Year of Reactivity
The Dog Trainer School is an organisation dedicated to supporting trainers in their journey to help dogs and their owners. In 2025, they’re dedicated an entire year to focusing on Reactivity, equipping trainers with the best tools and strategies for working with reactive dogs.
Which made now the perfect time to partner up and ask their community of positive dog trainers what they think about yellow gear as part of an anxious or reactive dog owner’s toolkit!
Why does getting trainers onboard matter?
Seeing more yellow being used in training classes and promoted by dog trainers is so important. It helps normalise the message, making owners feel more comfortable using yellow accessories without embarrassment. When a trainer incorporates yellow into their toolkit, it reinforces that it’s not just an option—it’s a valuable tool for giving anxious dogs the space they need.
We worked with The Dog Trainer School to understand what their members think about using yellow—whether they’ve heard of the #dogsinyellow campaign and how they feel about incorporating it into their training. Their insights have provided valuable information on awareness levels within the industry and how we can further support trainers in using yellow to help anxious dogs.
Dog trainer outreach
We asked The Dog Trainer School to delve deeper into the use of yellow as a visual cue for dogs needing space, we conducted a survey to gather insights from trainers. Here’s what we discovered.
Awareness of Yellow as a Symbol for Dogs Needing Space
When asked, “Have you heard of the #DogsInYellow campaign or the concept of yellow as a symbol for dogs needing space?” an overwhelming 96% of respondents said yes. This highlights the growing recognition of yellow as a universal indicator for space-awareness in dogs.
Is Yellow Helpful for Identifying Dogs That Need Space?
Opinions varied on whether yellow is helpful for identifying dogs that need space:
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75% of trainers felt it was helpful.
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13% said no.
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10% were uncertain, responding with “maybe.”
These results indicate that while many trainers see potential in yellow, there’s still room for education and discussion about its effectiveness.
Using Visual Cues Like Yellow to Support Dogs
We also asked trainers, “Do you use visual cues like yellow to support reactive or anxious dogs?” Responses included:
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40% said yes.
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37% said sometimes.
This suggests that many trainers are already incorporating visual cues into their work, with others using them situationally.
Would Trainers Consider Incorporating Yellow in Classes?
The survey concluded with the question, “Would you consider incorporating yellow for anxious or reactive dogs in your training classes?” The response was overwhelmingly positive:
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82% said yes.
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17% said maybe.
This demonstrates a strong willingness among trainers to embrace yellow as a tool for supporting dogs and their owners.
What This Means for Dog Owners
"The findings from The Dog Trainer School’s survey reinforce the importance of using clear, universally recognised symbols to support anxious and reactive dogs. Yellow is a powerful tool for creating safer, more understanding environments—not just in training classes, but in everyday interactions." - Helen, founder of The Dog Trainer School
The Dog Trainer School’s new Approved Reactivity Programme provides structured guidance on how to help reactive dogs thrive. And they say ‘this is why we are so keen to support My Anxious Dog and the Dogs In Yellow campaign. By embracing these tools, trainers can create a more understanding and accommodating environment for dogs who need space.’
Join the Movement
If you’re a dog trainer or owner, consider how you can incorporate yellow into your work or daily life to support dogs needing space.
For more information about the #DogsInYellow campaign, or want to join our Partner Programme visit our website or follow us on social media.
The Dog Trainer School Membership: A Valuable Resource for Trainers
The Dog Trainer School membership offers a comprehensive resource library filled with training templates, class outlines, and expert insights for dog trainers looking for support to grow and run their businesses. Whether you’re working with reactive dogs or simply looking to refine your training approach, the membership provides ongoing support, practical tools, and a community of like-minded professionals dedicated to making a difference in the lives of dogs and their owners.
For more information about The Dog Trainer School and their Year of Reactivity, visit our website or follow us on social media.
Social media: @thedogtrainerschool
Let’s continue to raise awareness and provide the support our dogs need.
Yellow makes all the difference—giving anxious & sensitive dogs the space to learn and grow with confidence.
