The first large-scale public event dedicated to recognising anxious dogs and the people who care for them took place at the National Trust’s Cliveden Estate in Berkshire on 20 March, marking a significant milestone for the growing #dogsinyellow movement.

Dogs of all breeds and sizes from Collies to Dachshunds wore yellow with pride as they joined the awareness walk, created to highlight the needs of dogs who require space and to support the owners who advocate for them.

Founded by Sarah Jones, creator of #dogsinyellow and owner of My Anxious Dog, the initiative aims to increase understanding of dogs who may be anxious, fearful,suffering from injury & in pain, elderly or just in training, using yellow as a clear, visual cue that a dog needs space.

Reflecting on the event, Sarah said:  “Not so long ago, dogs like these were expected to cope, or simply stay at home. Owners were often made to feel like the problem. What we saw at Cliveden was a complete shift: dogs who are often excluded being welcomed, and owners who are often judged feeling supported and understood.

“These are devoted owners doing their very best for their dogs. To have a day that recognised that – and to capture those moments through photography made it incredibly special.

“There was a real sense of connection. People who had never met before immediately recognised themselves in each other. It was a powerful reminder that no one is alone in this.”

The walk brought together a community of dog owners navigating similar challenges, offering a calm, structured environment with professional support. Attendees had access to ‘borrow bags’, allowing them to try yellow weather a lead, a harness or just a lead slip carrying clear messaging such as “Anxious”, “Do Not Touch” and “Give Us Space”.

A dedicated Yellow Space Zone also provided opportunities for dogs to decompress through enrichment activities and ACE Freework, supported by experienced trainers and behaviour professionals.

Each dog attending the event was photographed by pet photographer MIL Pet Photography, giving owners lasting memories of a day that, for many, represented inclusion rather than limitation.

Feedback from attendees highlighted the impact of the event. Gemma Buss, who attended with her dog, commented:  “It was nice to feel part of the majority rather than the minority.”

Kirsten Wellum, who attended with her cockapoo Ada, added: “It was so helpful to meet others in the same situation as me. Now I don’t feel so alone with it, and I know it isn’t just me. It restored my faith in human kindness.”

One attendee, trialling yellow for the first time through the borrow bags, reported a significant improvement in her walking experience, demonstrating the immediate, practical impact of clear visual communication and feeling calmer.

The event was supported by Forthglade, Pet Remedy and LickiMat, Tug E Nuff & Furr Boost who contributed to attendee goody bags, alongside professional support from Niki French (Pup Talk), Kaitlin Reynall (Encore Dogs), Sarah Hawkins (Barkshire Dog Training) and Jules Ballard (Contented Canines).

Following the success of the event, Sarah is now in discussions with the National Trust about the potential to expand Dogs in Yellow walks across additional properties – a move that could represent a major step forward in education and normalising space awareness for dogs in public settings.

“After years of knocking on doors, this felt like one was finally opening,” Sarah added. Awareness is growing, understanding is growing, and the more people who recognise what a dog in yellow means, the better life becomes for everyone.”

To find out more about Sarah’s work visit: www.myanxiousdog.co.uk