Corgis as Service Dogs
Corgis are very intelligent, as we all know! They are next after border collies in intelligence. Don't let the people tell you corgis are too short, etc. as Service Dogs. They may not be tall enough to be guide dogs but as a Hearing Ear Dog, Companion Service dog to assist individuals suffering from long-term Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Epileptic Warning, etc. they can be great. It's the temperament that matters.Look for a corgi with a great temperament, at least about 3 years is my advice. The corgi must be able to ignore kids and dogs, something they love.
Emily, Hearing Ear Corgi
Emily is my now a retired Hearing Ear dog. I got her at 3 1/2 as a former show dog. She never liked the ring. But she loved working. I say her obedience training in the show ring by the breeder was a great background.
Emily has a perfect temperament and is the alpha of the pack here. I could take her to a restaurant and she'd be by my feet the whole time.
Once I went to Sears Optical in the Mall. I was looking at frames and my daughter, sister in law, and grandson came in. My daughter is our corgis' most favorite person but Emily was working and did not move while we talked. I had trained her myself and she had on a vest. The moment she got the vest on, I told her," Emily, work; No people". When I was done, I gave Emily the command, "Emily, stop working" and then allowed her to go to them.
Emily loved working! We went everywhere together for over 11 years. Emily poked me in the leg to tell me something, she pulled me aside to get me out of the way of a woman behind me in a wheelchair. In stores, she made sure to stop if someone was coming around with a shopping cart, etc. I no longer backed up and stepped on kids behind me. The hardest thing to train her for was cars in parking lots. She saved my life a couple times.
Many people have asked me what Hearing Ear Dogs do to alert me. The list is long but here are some more examples. Emily would be sleeping next to me. When the flashing -light alarm went off, on my husband's side, she would 'paw' ME, not him, to get up. If I didn't, then she'd get part way up on me and sort of pounce. Now, at my desk, she is on the floor and can't walk so she pokes my foot or bangs her head on my chair base, scaring the wits out of me when I'm reading. And now, in bed she pokes me in the face with her wet nose.
I do find it interesting that corgis "think" of what to do and improvise versus just a routinely trained service dog. Yes, they are stubborn because our boy, Corky, stands there and decides whether to come in when I tell him or stay outside. That's the disadvantage. But it's truly an asset with a Service Corgi. If one thing doesn't work, Emily will try another, like waking me up. Many of you have experienced a corgi's critical thinking in emergencies or in danger.
Emily was always good if someone came near with another dog; however, she did not like cats. Our Corky, her son, is allergic to cats so that was just as well that she didn't get near and brush against one. But with other dogs, Emily would stay by me until we moved on, never chasing or growling at them.
Lastly, there's a dependence on a Service Dog, unlike that of a pet. I rarely go out now alone I don't have Emily by me to look at and "see" what she's hearing -a car? A person behind me? I miss that.
Emily on her 15th birthday (22.05.2014)
enjoying her favorite dish: vanilla frozen yogurt
Emily is now 15 and a wheel corgi due to a disk problem, but she knows even now that she is to take care of me and not get distracted by other things. This is always what warms my heart and why I'll take care of her now only. I won't get another Hearing Ear Dog while I have her. She deserves just to be with me. She's my best friend!
Emily enjoying a ride in her new trailer
We have a new canoe and Emily likes it much better than the old one because the sides are lower and she can hold herself up to see!!
Emily enjoying a trip on the lake
We try to do as much of her normal activities as possible. Just because you have a disabled dog that doesn't mean you both need to stay at home all the time. Life needs to be good for both of you! There's always something interesting to do though the plans need to be revised at times.
Mr Eskimo, Ginny, Emily, Corky (left to right)
Sue James in Rancocas, NJ
http://www.thegardens.us
29.08.2019
