Seeing as I am fairly new to the assistance dog training community, it should come as no surprise to learn that Puz and I continue to experience various new training scenarios together. It is through our co-learning processes that I have come to the conclusion that there are several types of people I encounter during public access training days. After todays training lessons, I decided to take a moment to categorize them. Some of you may recognize these all too well! Ignorers: These are the people who express little or no interest in my dog or our cause. There are likely different levels of Ignorers and not all are non-dog lovers. I can usually tell the ones who at least like dogs or the idea of an assistance dog as these are the people who look at us out of the corners of their eyes, often with a slight smile. Sometimes their facial expressions portray a bit of subtle curiosity. Forced Ignorers: These are the people who try extra hard to make sure you know of their disinterest. This may even be disguised as distaste in rare situations. I actually had someone walk in front of me at a clothing store and pointedly step over Puz who was tucked up nicely in a down-stay by my feet. Apparently the jacket directly in front of me was irresistible and in need of immediate attention! ;-) Air Talkers: These are the people who speak about Puzzle to the no one in particular...not to me, not to Puzzle, or even the to the person beside them. Makes me chuckle every single time. It happened today as a matter of fact! Educators: These people do not always make eye contact or approach but instead speak to their husband, friend, coworker, or child about what kind of dog Puzzle is and why he is wearing a vest. When they do approach, it is typically to ask questions about what I do or what I am training Puzzle to do. They are usually very polite and discrete. If they wish to pet Puz, they usually ask first. Storytellers: These people are nostalgic for the golden retriever or lab that they once had as a child or recently lost to cancer or old age. They want to connect with Puzzle in order to take a walk down memory lane. I usually have to politely break off a conversation with a storyteller as they would share all day if given the opportunity :-) Window Shoppers: These are the ones who stop just far enough away to appear discrete when in reality they are speaking to Puz as if having a full-on interaction with him. I think it must lessen any feelings of guilt they may harbor for soliciting attention from an assistance dog. Like true window shoppers, they look, may consider, but rarely follow through. Hermit Crabs a.k.a Side Walkers: These people stop dead in their tracks a fair distance away. They first attempt to make eye contact but it is hardly necessary criteria for reaching the desired goal...to PET THE DOG!!! During the half-hearted attempt to begin an interaction with me, they start to scuttle, not walk, but scuttle sideways toward Puzzle. Some reach out an arm while still too far away to even share the same air as Puz. This gesture is akin to a victory pump but more like a victory stretch. Either way they end up looking ridiculous although it is doubtful they really care! Hermit crabs are my favorite because they genuinely love dogs and think that what I am doing is the best thing since sliced bread. I usually let them have a controlled interaction with the golden nugget. Drive-by Comedians: These are the cat-callers...the ones who yell (from a distance) things like Hey doggie, Aw, come here dog, Look its a dog, or something similar. They also may make whistling or kissing noises for no apparent reason other than to garner attention for themselves. I call them comedians, because they are usually trying to make someone laugh and drive-by, because they do all this while moving past us at a good clip. Puz used to reinforce this behavior in people by giving them a sweet look or perking up his irresistible fluffy ears. Now he barely flicks an ear and rarely looks! Sneak Attackers: These people swoop in so fast that there is no seeing the advance never mind stopping it! They are all over Puzzle in the instant it takes for me to turn around. These are also the people who are more likely to encourage him to jump up or produce another otherwise undesirable behavior. I could probably come up with more categories but these are the primary ones that I encounter on a daily basis. Next time you see an assistance dog, ask yourself if you fit one of these descriptions. I know I do :-) I hope this made you smile or brought on a chuckle as it did me while I was writing them down.
Posted on: Thu, 14 Nov 2013 22:37:23 +0000
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