Creating Safe Spaces for Anxious Dogs and Their Owners

In this episode, Clayton welcomes Sarah and Matt from 'My Anxious Dog' to the podcast, to discuss their journey in raising awareness about anxious dogs and the importance of giving them space. They discuss the personal experiences that led them to create a range of products designed to help owners communicate their dog's needs, including the significance of the colour yellow as a warning signal. Sarah shares the challenges they faced in the early days, the evolution of public attitudes towards dog anxiety, and the development of their business. KEY TAKEAWAYS The journey into recognising and addressing dog anxiety began with personal experiences, highlighting the importance of understanding a dog's body language and emotional needs. Awareness of signs such as "whale eyes" and a tight muzzle can help owners identify anxiety in their pets. The initiative to use yellow as a warning colour for anxious dogs originated from the horse world, where a yellow ribbon indicates a need for space. This campaign aims to raise awareness and promote understanding among dog owners and the public about the needs of anxious dogs. The importance of community support is emphasised through local awareness efforts, such as creating posters and stickers, and organising events like "Dogs in Yellow" day. Engaging the community helps spread the message and fosters a supportive environment for dog owners with anxious pets. The need for quality products tailored for anxious dogs led to the creation of a range of items, including harnesses, leads, and calming aids. The focus is on providing practical solutions that help both dogs and their owners navigate social situations more comfortably. The experience of owning an anxious dog has transformed into a passion for advocacy, leading to personal growth and a commitment to educating others. The journey has not only improved the quality of life for the dog but has also fostered a deeper understanding of dog behaviour and owner responsibility. BEST MOMENTS "It was important for me to raise awareness where I walked." "Yellow is the official warning colour for caution." "I think 75% of dogs suffer with some form of anxiety or behaviour issues." "People just think that you've got a dangerous, aggressive dog." "We've learned so much because we've embraced it." HOST BIO Clayton Payne is an industry veteran of three decades of working in the pet industry. Brought up working in his parents' pet store, Clayton has seen the industry evolve over five different decades and has been on the cutting edge of the industry since the nineties. Building pet businesses from scratch, establishing multi-national distribution chains and having worked in every aspect of the industry, Clayton has a rare insight into the Pet Industry that is rivalled by few. Clayton has been the spearhead of many of the industry's changes and has introduced numerous new concepts to market with a trail of success behind him. He has worked in numerous countries within the pet industry, speaks four different languages and has established both import and export relationships on all continents (excluding Antarctica). As well as being COO of one of the UKs fastest growing insect technology companies, Clayton is a Pet industry consultant who has consulted for many household brands and delivers sales training to pet trade professionals. https://www.linkedin.com/in/clayton-payne-a6772244/ https://www.tiktok.com/@petbusinessdisruptors https://www.youtube.com/@PetBusinessDisruptors This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/