💛 Yellow Space Zones
If you came to the Daybreaks Greyhound Summer Fayre, you might’ve spotted a calm little area tucked just off to the side — shaded, quiet, with scatter feeds and space to move. That was our first ever Yellow Space Zone, and what a brilliant addition it turned out to be.
It was our way of creating a safe, supportive pocket at a busy event — and the response from both dogs and people was better than I could’ve hoped for.
But what is a Yellow Space Zone, and why does it matter?
💭 What’s a Yellow Space Zone?
A Yellow Space Zone is a calm, low-pressure space designed with choice in mind — especially for dogs who find events a bit much.
🟡 Inspired by the “Dogs in Yellow” movement, these zones give dogs a way to take part in the day on their terms. That might mean taking a breather, having a sniff around, or simply being in a space where they don’t have to interact if they don’t want to.
Yellow Space Zones are especially helpful for dogs who:
Prefer space around other dogs or people
Are newly adopted and still figuring things out
Get easily overwhelmed or frustrated
Are brilliant at home but struggle in busy or unpredictable places
It’s not about labelling or limiting a dog — it’s about supporting them well.
For many families I work with, yellow isn’t about avoiding the world.
It’s about being able to access it safely and successfully.
🩷 Why I Believe in Them — Especially for Sighthounds
Sighthounds often feel things deeply.
They notice the small stuff — the flick of an ear, a shift in tone, the energy of a place. And while some breeze through busy spaces, others find all that sensory input really intense.
Many of the dogs I work with are still learning how to navigate the world after racing or rescue. That kind of learning takes time, patience, and thoughtful support.
When dogs are flooded by noise, movement, people, and other dogs, it can tip them into stress or overstimulation — and from there, everything else becomes harder.
Yellow Zones help by:
Offering a clear “pause” button during busy days
Supporting them to regulate and reset
Encouraging decompression through scent and calm exploration
Reducing pressure and giving dogs the space to just be
They're not asked to do anything.
They’re not being trained or expected to interact.
They simply have the chance to choose what feels right — to sniff, play, wander, lie down, or explore in a way that feels good to them.
And that freedom — the freedom to choose, to move, to take a breath — is powerful. Especially for our sensitive, thoughtful sighthounds.
🐾 What We Saw at Daybreaks
Watching the dogs in the Yellow Space Zone was fascinating.
Some arrived holding tension — scanning the area, bodies a little tight, unsure of what was expected. Others came in full of curiosity, ready to explore.
What happened next varied from dog to dog — and that’s exactly the point.
Bodies softened
Eyes relaxed
Movement became steadier
A few dogs felt comfortable enough to go to the toilet — something they might have held off doing elsewhere due to the noise or crowds
Some had a little play, others gently explored or sniffed their way around. A few popped in for a reset before heading back out to the main event — like a mini dopamine top-up in the middle of the day.
It wasn’t dramatic. It wasn’t flashy.
But it was quietly powerful.
Seeing dogs move from “not quite sure” to “comfortable enough” — or just enjoy the space in their own way — was a reminder of how much difference a small, thoughtful zone can make.
🙌 Thank You to Our Yellow Zone Partners
It truly was a team effort. Huge thanks to:
Sarah from My Anxious Dog – for her support and passion in raising awareness around yellow dogs
Roolo – whose toy went down an absolute treat with the hounds
Pet Remedy, LickiMat, and Paws in Earnest – for their brilliant enrichment tools and donations
Daybreaks Trust – for the opportunity to run the space and support the dogs in a new way
Joshua from Haywards Hound Academy – for being a top teammate on the stand
🌼 A Final Thought
Whether it’s a quiet corner at an event or simply choosing a quieter time to walk, these little choices can help our dogs feel safer, more secure, and more themselves.
So if you see a dog in yellow, or a space marked as such — give them time. Give them space. Give them understanding.
Because what looks like a small shift on the outside can be a big win on the inside. 💛
