Blue is commonly applied to mark service dogs or those in training though legally there is no standardised requirement that it should be blue. Nevertheless, it is now a widely accepted visual reminder, particularly within the communal spheres. The dogs which help people with the disabilities are called service dogs.
Its tasks may vary between leading a visually impaired person to the identification of medical conditions, such as seizures or shifts in blood sugar levels. Such dogs are taught to maintain cool conduct and extreme concentration even when there is a lot going on or when there are high distractions around.
When a seemingly calm and focused dog is presented before your eyes in blue, then it is better to avoid communication with it. Touching or shouting at a working dog may disrupt its concentration and even endanger his or her handler. Others among therapy dogs that are trained to provide emotional support at hospitals, schools, or disaster areas can put on blue as well. A therapy dog, however, is not entitled to access as service dogs and usually may only have access to a limited number of facilities.
Training dogs usually have Blue vests or harnesses to tell them that they are in the process of learning. Similar to a car with a label of a “Student Driver” on it, this gear is a sign to leave them space and sleep. It is a time when it is necessary to practice the same, show some exposure and positive reinforcement.
However, not all blue dogs are working dogs or training dogs because some dog owners just like wearing blue gear because it looks good or they want to be seen. This may lead to a certain misunderstanding, and it is useful to take a closer look at the behavior of the dog as well as written messages on the pieces of gear, patches, and tags.
Dog gear that comes in different colors could be a handy guide of how not to react to the behavior of a dog in the street. Yellow is usually an indicator that a dog requires his/her space because of fear, healing, or reactivity. Red normally says, Do Not Pet and is an obvious request to be restrictive. Depending on the preference of the handler, green could either refer to a friendly dog or one that is under training and friendly to interact with.
Becoming aware of such clues or signals helps to communicate in a more respectful and informed way with the working and the public dogs. Then the next time you do see a dog in blue, give a thought to what it might be doing since it might be doing a hard day at work, training up to an important task or just out enjoying itself in its favorite hue.