This is blind-and-deaf Spinner on our front step this afternoon. She was waiting not only for me to open the door for her, but to give her "the touch," as I call it. Somewhere along the way she decided that she would not go through an open door until I had given her permission, and her chosen signal was for me to lightly touch her on the nose with my hand.
I did not train her to do this. She trained me. I don't really remember when Spinner and I figured this out together, but early on I had a problem getting her to understand that it was okay to come in the house. She'd stand at the door, knowing it was open because she could smell the inside air coming out, but she wouldn't go in. So I finally tapped her on the nose with my hand, and she shot right into the house.
"Oh, I get it," I said to myself.
Now whenever she's at the front or back door, she waits patiently ... head pointed up in the air ... for "the touch" that tells her to come in. And in she goes.
Interestingly enough, as soon as I touch her nose, she puts her ears down. She does the same thing when we blow on her (our other way to communicate). It's recognition of some sort, as if it's her way of saying, "Okay, thanks, message received. Here I come!"
I thought about it. Spinner can't read body language or hear a welcoming call to enter. All she knows is that the door is open. The touch tells her, indeed, that she should come in.
Posted by: Janet in Cambridge | May 13, 2008 at 09:44 AM
That's just too sweet. :)
Posted by: yoonamaniac | May 12, 2008 at 09:08 PM
There is buried treasure in the heart of every dog...bless you for taking the time to find that treasure!
I agree with Sarah NZ...Spinner is training you well!
Posted by: Yvette Irene | May 12, 2008 at 07:18 PM
What an intelligent and precious girl!!! She knows she is loved and cared for!
Posted by: Nina | May 12, 2008 at 06:41 PM
With no pun intended, this truly touches me deep in my heart. I'm on business travel in Okinawa yet I visit you all anticipating wonderful inspiration- and you never fail.
Spinner, Steve and Alayne, you indeed have "global reach" of the best kind.
Posted by: Margaret | May 12, 2008 at 03:32 PM
What a beautiful girl!
Posted by: Sarah NZ | May 12, 2008 at 02:33 PM
What a cute story and what a smart dog! Do you think she'll be able to train you to do anything else. Obviously she has the patience and knows you're trainable :-)
Posted by: Mircat | May 12, 2008 at 12:51 PM
What a smart and beautiful girl.
Posted by: Janet in Cambridge | May 12, 2008 at 10:52 AM
I am sure Spinner finds all kinds of things in that touch - the best of which is love from her deeply caring and comitted guardians.
Posted by: Angela | May 12, 2008 at 08:05 AM
I love Spinner!!
She's a great spokesdog for deaf and blind animals and their owners. She enjoys life the same as the sighted and hearing; but has different ways of communicating.
She's brilliant, beautiful and an inspirational blessing to us all.
Keep it up girl!
Posted by: Boundforglory | May 12, 2008 at 08:04 AM
Blind and deaf and still --- so well mannered! What a lady.
Posted by: Helen Rietz | May 12, 2008 at 07:27 AM
You really DO know how to start my week off with a smile, Steve ! That photo is so tender :)
Posted by: Bibi | May 12, 2008 at 07:23 AM
Amazing.such a special girl.
Posted by: gayle | May 12, 2008 at 06:35 AM
I'm so happy she finally got you trained, Steve.
Posted by: Debbie | May 12, 2008 at 05:26 AM
That is too precious! Happy Mother's Day, Alayne -- I know you have lots of 'kids' that love and appreciate you!
Posted by: Leila | May 11, 2008 at 11:38 PM
That is too precious! Happy Mother's Day, Alayne -- I know you have lots of 'kids' that love and appreciate you!
Posted by: Leila | May 11, 2008 at 11:37 PM
Spinner's got it spot (nose?) on -our local dog whisperer once told me: all you have to do is listen to your dog.
Big kiss, Spinner
Posted by: Lalla and Sasha | May 11, 2008 at 11:04 PM
Thanks for this post. Spinner is such a beautiful, smart, and special girl, and I am very glad that you have found a way to communicate with her! It is wonderful to know that she has things all figured out with her humans and at Rolling Dog Ranch!
Posted by: maggie | May 11, 2008 at 08:26 PM
Sweet Spinner is one of my favorites at RDR. She is beautiful and so well-adjusted considering her "disabilities." The touch is a wonderful form of communication... I'm so glad you figured it out!
Posted by: Linda | May 11, 2008 at 06:25 PM
Spinner is one of my favorites. Clearly your and Spinner's song was sung by The Platters, "You-ou-ou've - got - the - magic touch!"
Posted by: Moon Rani | May 11, 2008 at 04:06 PM