A woman is speaking out about her experience with having a reactive dog to raise awareness of anxiety in canines.
Sarah Jones, 55, from Berkshire, wants to let other dog owners know that they aren't alone, and has launched a national awareness day to spread her message.
Like many new pet owners, Sarah thought having a dog would be all sunshine and rainbows - but after her puppy Bella was attacked and developed a fear of canines, life suddenly became difficult.
She told The Mirror : "Strangers think Bella is aggressive and judge us, but actually she was just born with an anxious personality and became reactive after being attacked."
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Sarah brought cocker spaniel Bella home at eight weeks old, and instantly noticed that she liked to keep her distance from other dogs and people.
"We went to a flyball session and a dog hit her on the side and attacked her," Sarah explained.
"That's where her fear of dogs started. It left her terrified. She would react to other dogs if they came too close by growling or lunging."
It prompted pitiful looks from passerby, who judged Sarah for owning what seemed to be an aggressive dog.
"I felt so infuriated to watch people tut and drag their dog away," Sarah said.
Sarah wanted to find a way for anxious dogs to be understood, so she created a range of bright yellow accessories and began selling them on her website, My Anxious Dog.
From collars to dog jumpers, leads and harnesses, Sarah designed vibrant products specifically for anxious dogs.
After setting up a community page, she soon realised there were thousands of other dog owners that felt just like her.
"Some of them have really terrible stories. They had to fight for their food or were beaten growing up. It's no wonder they are anxious," Sarah said.
Sarah began calling her community the 'yellow army' and created the hashtag #dogsinyellow to raise awareness.
"It can be so difficult and challenging to own a reactive dog, but there is safety in yellow," she said.
"I never take Bella out without her yellow on now. It makes me feel safer and it helps to protect her."
This Sunday, Sarah will launch her first National Dogs in Yellow Day.
She is asking pet owners with anxious dogs to share photos of their canines in yellow on social media with the hashtag #dogsinyellow.
"I want everyone to see it and understand. It's such an important cause to me because I know how judgemental people can make you feel," Sarah said.
"All our dogs want and need is some space, and then the world feels much less frightening."
Do you have a dog story to sell? Email nia.dalton@reachplc.com.
