Red Bandana: Indicates dogs that prefer space; others should maintain distance.
Orange Bandana: Signifies anxious or unsure dogs; allow them to approach if they choose.
Yellow Bandana: Represents energetic dogs that may be overly enthusiastic; approachable but may be intrusive.
Green Bandana: Denotes easy-going, sociable dogs open to interactions.
In an era when dog ownership is on the rise, a new initiative is changing the way we communicate with our furry friends. Emopups, a simple yet innovative system, is revolutionising dog walking by allowing pet owners to signal their dog’s temperament at a glance, making interactions safer and more enjoyable for both dogs and humans.
Tania Oosthuizen, the visionary behind Emopups, is a passionate dog owner who saw a growing need for clearer communication among dog walkers. “Imagine if we had a way of letting people know what our dogs are like,” she asked. “Some dogs love everyone, others are nervous rescues, and some just don’t want to be approached. With Emopups we take the guesswork out of social interactions.”
The concept behind Emopups is simple yet effective. It uses a colour-coded bandana system that signals a dog’s personality, allowing people to gauge how to approach them from a distance.
A red bandana indicates a “gruff” dog that prefers space and should not be approached, while orange signals a dog that may be anxious and needs gentle handling.
A yellow bandana means the dog is energetic and playful, and green indicates a chilled dog who is sociable and open to interactions.
Inspired by traffic symbols, this system is intuitive and accessible for everyone. For those who may not be able to purchase an official Emopups bandana, Oosthuizen suggests using a simple strip of fabric in the designated colour, tied to a pet’s collar or leash.
The idea comes at a crucial time when pet ownership has soared by 20% in the last four years, with 80% of that growth attributed to dogs.
Public spaces such as parks and beaches are now seeing an influx of dogs, which has made managing dog encounters increasingly challenging. “Dogs are family members now and go everywhere with us. The more we can communicate with each other about our pets, the better our walks will be.”
The initiative has already garnered support from animal-welfare organisations, including the SPCA, and is being piloted in the South Peninsula, a community known for its strong love of dogs. If the pilot proves successful Emopups plans to expand nationally and even internationally.
For Oosthuizen Emopups is not just about stylish bandanas but about creating a safer, stress-free environment for dogs and their owners.
With the movement gaining momentum, Emopups encourages all dog owners to get involved and spread the word. The more people who adopt the system the safer and more enjoyable dog walking will become for everyone.
Visit www.emopups.co.za or contact Tania Oosthuizen at 083 527 3588 for details.
