Blue is commonly adopted to mark service dogs or dogs under training, but a legal standard is not a requirement of what color must be adopted. Nevertheless, it has now become a widely accepted visual signal, particularly in the communal setting.
Guide dogs are useful in aiding disabled people. They can vary in responsibilities, giving the visually impaired individual directions to an area or detecting medical emergencies such as a seizure or sudden change in blood sugar. These dogs learn how to be steady and remain very focused even in situations that are too busy or distracting.
When you encounter a blue dog, which looks relaxed and alert, then you should avoid contact with them. Stroking or calling a service dog may disrupt his or her concentration and pose a hazard to his or her handler. Blue can also be worn by some therapy dogs, trained to provide emotional support in hospitals or in schools or in disaster areas. Yet, therapy dogs lack the same privileges on public access as service dogs and usually can only be taken into a few locations.
Training dogs usually have blue-colored vests or harnesses as a sign of in-training. This gear a possibility reminds one of a car sticker that says Student Driver, but it acts as a reminder to give them some space and allow no distractions. It is an era that requires uniformity, exposure and praise.
However, not all blue dogs are working dogs or dogs in training, pet owners just like blue gear because it is stylish or visible. This may create confusion in some cases, so it is worth noticing how the dog behaves and what is written on the gear, there may be patches and tags.
Using dog gears that are color-coded can serve as an effective guideline to know how to treat a dog in a street or rather to leave it alone. The yellow color usually indicates that a dog requires space, whether it is because of fear, recovery, or reactivity. Red would mean “No Petting Please,” and is an obvious boundary demand. Green could be used to suggest a well-behaved dog that is friendly or ready to train with the handler.
Being aware of such signals can help build better and more responsible relationships between the people and working dogs. Therefore, when next you see a dog in blue think about what he or she is doing, it might be working hard, it might be preparing to do something important, or it might be just enjoying itself in its favorite color.
