Two aspects of Nigel have become immediately apparent.
1. He loves physical contact. His preference seems to be caressing under his chin, but this is closely followed by the top of his head; any neck area, shoulders and along his spine. The only area which he does not invite is his tummy area. He has no problem with a tummy rub, but does not roll over and invite such.
He also gives as readily as he receives. He has met a few people for the first time (who were clearly dog lovers), and had no reservations about reaching up to lick their faces! In our case, he so readily also licks hands and pretty much anything else within reach of his gentle tongue.
2. When we are sitting down and he wants to chill out, it is invariably on the floor at our feet. There does appear to be a strategy here in that he will place his head on (or up against) one of our feet. Any slight movement on our part triggers an alert on his part.
This could be simply him making sure that wherever we go, he has the chance to decide what he wants to do, but I rather suspect that this is trained into him. It would seem very important that a guide dog be always in contact with its owner and, while we know that Nigel was deemed to need a “Career Change”, I have to wonder whether that constant contact was in fact trained into him. Regardless, it is a positive boon because we always know where he is. (Memories of the opposite personality …. “Have you seen Ray lately? Did you leave any food on the counter in the kitchen?”).
“You think these front legs are long? You should see my back ones!”
A New Direction Perhaps? 
What a great photo of Nigel. He poses so well. Not surprised at all by him loving the physical contact. Our poodles were the same way. Though they were also lap dogs, which wouldn’t work too well with him. 🙂
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I think he would easily adapt to being a lap dog, but his training to date (as a potential service dog) would have discouraged it.
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Gorgeous. I think it is his training and that;s good because not only do you know where he is, but he knows where you are!
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Nigel has such a sweet face. It’s not unusual for Standards to be genetically wired with that constant contact trait. It’s what makes them such devoted companions and helper dogs. Elsa ‘reminded’ me that I neglected to post a “Meet the Breed” episode on Standards. I will need to share info on the breed so she feels fully vested with the ‘editorial board.’ 😉
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Shall look forward to reading that!
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Hoping to post it tomorrow. 🤞🏼
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This tall boy seems to have found a forever home!
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I think so Michael. 🙂
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Seems to me he has his training licked. I think he’s a beautiful dog, by the way.
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His training of us does appear to be going quite well.
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Nigel sounds quite a bit easier in personality to Ray!
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In the context of social skills, yes he is way ahead of Ray. It will be interesting to see what idiosyncrasies this guy shows us as time moves on.
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There will be some wonky stuff!
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We’re expecting that!
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