If you see a dog wearing blue gear like a vest or leash, it might be more than a fashion statement. Blue is commonly used to signal a service dog or dog in training, although there’s no official color code. These dogs assist people with disabilities and should not be distracted.

Therapy dogs may also wear blue, but they don’t have the same public access rights. Puppies or young dogs in training sometimes wear blue as well—like a “student driver” sign for dogs.

Of course, sometimes blue is just a color the owner likes. Still, recognizing gear cues helps us respect working dogs and their important roles.

Other common color meanings:

• Yellow – Dog needs space

• Red – “Do Not Pet” or working dog

• Green – Dog in training or friendly working dog

So, next time you see a pup in blue, look closely—they might be on the job!