Dogs - Finding their way back home

In the past week, when walking Otto, he started turning NOT toward home at a crossroads intersection, but merrily turning the corner in the other direction to extend his adventure.  Then, a sly backward glance to see if I was going to stop him.

It made me wonder if our daily walks would make it easier for him to find his way home if he got lost?  He's escaped before and on both occasions, the humans who found him used his tags to call us to come get him.  One time he ended up at our neighborhood pizza parlor 3 blocks away.  He's been there before, picking up pizza.  Sometimes by car, sometimes on foot (but accompanied by a human!)

Another time, he ended up just two blocks away from the tattoo shop his human brother works at.  He's been guest shop dog there, and has been there by car. 

When Otto and I walk, we usually stick to the neighborhood that is bound by larger streets and 2 train tracks, probably 3/4 of a mile square. Except for a school yard, the area is neat little blocks. So yesterday I tried this:  I walked him across across one of the big streets where he's never been and went about 7 blocks north.  Then, I kept him on his leash, but did my best to let him lead the way home.  Would he find it? 

What do you think?  Easy as pie!  I don't know how they do it or what he smells.  But maybe it's me!  I bike a much farther distance than I walk him.  I do a lot of my errands on my bike.  What do you think?

I am artist, Robin Zebley, the human at the other end of Otto's leash (and the one with the little bag full of Otto's deposits!)  If you'd like to visit my website to see my pet and human portrait samples, my site is HERE.  If you'd like to read my whole blog, click on the top banner.  If you'd like to follow my blog, sign up to your right.  Thanks for visiting me.  Your comments are always welcome!