The backward bird dog

Everyone knows a bird dog leads with its nose. Everyone but J.C. After all, what's a pup supposed to think when he's welcomed to his new home by a cat who thwacks him on the nose with his claws, a dog who bites him on the nose and a mad mamma bird who attacks the sorest part of his body with her beak. J.C. can't help thinking there must be a better way.