Of course, you cannot expect every person you encounter to know what the yellow ribbon means. If someone approaches you and your dog without asking first, explain to them politely that your dog needs space because it is not comfortable around people. If they continue to approach, you can ask them to please step back or turn around and walk the other way. Remember, it is your responsibility as a dog owner to keep your dog safe and comfortable. Tying a yellow ribbon on your dog’s leash is one way to do that.