[NAGDU] Working or Nervous?

[S L Johnson]

Lisie:

Some dogs will quickly look back if they hear something approaching behind 
them.  I wouldn't worry about it because as you say, he is also trained to 
alert you to sounds.  He heard the car approach, turned his head to check it 
out and then returned looking forward in order to see to guide you safely. 
It sounds like Finn is doing exactly what he was trained to do.  He is 
obviously a very good hearing and guide dog.

Sandra and Eva

-----Original Message----- 
From: Lisie Foster via NAGDU
Sent: Wednesday, May 11, 2016 6:24 PM
To: the National Association of Guide Dog Users NAGDU Mailing List
Cc: Lisie Foster
Subject: [NAGDU] Working or Nervous?

I have a question; I wonder if anyone else has an opinion on this.

A few days ago, I managed to use my iPhone to record Finn and me, while he 
was guiding.

I had no idea how it turned out, but when I replayed it, it ended up being 
about 8 seconds long when I thought it was longer, *grins*.

But, I showed my family, and one comment someone made is still stuck in my 
mind.

He told me, "He looks nervous."

I know Finn; we were almost home (where his dinner waited) and in an area he 
knows well. He most definitely wasn't nervous. He was tired, though, and 
hungry!

So, I asked why my family member thought Finn looked nervous. His reply was, 
"Well, why is he looking backward like that? Other dogs just look forward as 
they walk."

I looked closely at the video and realized Finn had, for just a second, 
turned his head to look backward at the parallel traffic coming up fast 
behind us. He watches for traffic in driveways as well as in streets; he was 
doing his job, and very well!

Because of his dual hearing dog and guide dog training, he is very 
sound-aware. He adores music and interesting sounds, and is very alert to 
the locations of all cars nearby.

It was interesting, though, yet a little disconcerting to have someone 
perceive my dog's backward glance at an approaching car as nervousness.

I mean, that is "normal"
isn't it, for a guide dog to look at approaching traffic...?

Thank you!

Have a good evening!

Lisie and Finn
lisiefoster at yahoo.com
Sent from my iPhone
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