[Mom2Furkids]

A silly little question but I wonder? I'm doggy sitting for my SIL and while the dog is here she wanted me to check a lump the groomer stated was on her left shoulder. (No I'm not a vet but found a previous lump on her). For the life of me I couldn't find it. I found the same lump she had on her "Right side" previously. I talked to my SIL and the groomer insisted that was her left side. I know which is the right side of my body. The "Right side" of a car is the passenger side. (I know this for fact). Why would this groomer insist that the left side of a dogs body is when you are looking directly at the dog?

[KBLover]

Originally Posted by Mom2Furkids

A silly little question but I wonder? I'm doggy sitting for my SIL and while the dog is here she wanted me to check a lump the groomer stated was on her left shoulder. (No I'm not a vet but found a previous lump on her). For the life of me I couldn't find it. I found the same lump she had on her "Right side" previously. I talked to my SIL and the groomer insisted that was her left side. I know which is the right side of my body. The "Right side" of a car is the passenger side. (I know this for fact). Why would this groomer insist that the left side of a dogs body is when you are looking directly at the dog?

Because the right side of a dog's body is on the groomer's left if the groomer was looking directly at the dog?

Probably just a slip of the tongue/regarding her view instead of the dog's body.

BTW, the passenger side of the car is on the right as the driver sits, which is how we learned it and how it's regarded. However, if you're looking directly at the car from in front of the car, it's on your left. If you're standing looking at the right (as the driver sits) of the car, the passenger seat is right in front of you (neither left or right)

We just have accepted/generally understood ways to reference relative directions for ease of communication

So I guess, "right" to me depends on the frame of reference. If the groomer told me the lump was on the left of the dog and the dog was facing her, then I'd know it's the right side of the dog's body. If we're referring to the dog's body, then it's always the right side.

I'm guessing maybe the groomer just made a brain slip and referenced her view instead of the dog's body - which would be understood equally by the both of you.

[railNtrailcowgrl]

I think it could be a frame of reference thing. That's why I love having horses, it's near-sided (left side if facing forward with the horse or the side you lead from) or off-sided (right side if facing forward with the horse).

[tirluc]

ok, so on that note, what is clockwise and what is counter-clockwise to you?...is clockwise to the right or the left? (i ask this b/c of commands given for herding, and a friend and i are debating over it....so, if you're going to send your dog clockwise, do they go left or right?)

[Mom2Furkids]

Originally Posted by tirluc

ok, so on that note, what is clockwise and what is counter-clockwise to you?...is clockwise to the right or the left? (i ask this b/c of commands given for herding, and a friend and i are debating over it....so, if you're going to send your dog clockwise, do they go left or right?)

Okay, for me; clockwise would send the dog to the right; down; back up left to start again. I was a big help!

[KBLover]

Originally Posted by tirluc

ok, so on that note, what is clockwise and what is counter-clockwise to you?...is clockwise to the right or the left? (i ask this b/c of commands given for herding, and a friend and i are debating over it....so, if you're going to send your dog clockwise, do they go left or right?)

For me clockwise = the forward movement on a clock.

So unless someone has a clock whose hands move to the left as the clock counts forward - then I would say they mean the dog would circle to the dog's right (i.e. she turns her body towards her right) as that's how the hands of a clock circle when going forward.

Of course, in 20 years, people will probably say "clocks have hands? Lies. Everyone knows clocks don't have hands, just numbers telling you the time "

[Graco22]

I always tell owners which side there is an issue on a dog too. But I show them as well, to make sure they are understanding what side I mean. I always refer to the DOGS right or left...As if I am the dog....(or standing over the dog facing forward)...NOT as I am looking straight at the dog. The dog has a left ear and right ear, just as we do. Should be a simple thing...but alas, its not. LOL