[nagdu] petting guide dog question

[Karyn & Thane]

I think it is often very breed and color dependent, not to mention how 
outgoing towards people the dog is.

Interestingly it was pretty rare with Met, my BC/ GSD tricolor. He was 
typical standoffish about people interactions unless he really knew you.

Thane on the other hand should have been a therapy dog! He loves people 
interaction so I have had to work hard to keep him on task after people 
choose to throw common sense out the door. While my dog is guiding me across 
a busy intersection is not the time to pet or try and communicate with me to 
ask permission to do so!

I have a sign on my handle pouch that says Ignore me I am a Working Guide 
Dog Why people feel *TALKING* to my dog is following what this sign says is 
beyond me. I even had a bus driver tell me that it is OK to talk to SDs as 
long as she did not pet them. I set her straight believe me!

When I had MCS and wore a respirator mask, gloves, layers of clothing, etc 
the petting incidents weren't as common even with Thane. They did happen and 
frequently left me sick before I could get peoples smells out of his fur. 
Now that I am well, it seems every one must pet, request to pet, or tell me 
just how hard it is to ignore him.

>From that standpoint, the Golden Retriever as a successor isnt the best of 
options I know! grin

Karyn and Thane