BGs: How Deep Is Your Love?
is a 1-year-old living in Marlow, New Hampshire, with her owner Karin Strickland. Karin had recently lost her 13-year-old Boston Terrier, Sammie, and she knew she needed another dog in her life. After becoming enamored with BGs last year, Karin found a responsible breeder, and soon after, she found herself at the Boston airport to pick up her new pup.
鈥淐allie bolted out of her crate and into my arms, and we鈥檝e been inseparable ever since,鈥� says Karin. 鈥淏russels Griffons are known as 鈥樷�� and Callie definitely falls into that category. We had to put a bell on her collar when she first arrived, so we wouldn鈥檛 trip over her in the house.鈥�
Unforeseen Obstacles Uncover Opportunity
Unfortunately, Karin began experiencing health issues shortly after acquiring Callie. While working with Callie鈥檚 dog trainers and her own medical team, Karin began to realize that Callie would make a great medical alert dog candidate. One member of Karin鈥檚 medical team is blind and assisted by a guide dog, and their journey provided even further inspiration to pursue a service dog role. The doggedly-determined Karin and Callie soon began training in earnest towards reaching their new goal.
In May of this year, Callie passed her 蜜桃视频 Canine Good Citizen test, a milestone which Karin proudly credits as a large part of Callie鈥檚 development into a stellar service dog. While the exuberant, social Brussels Griffon initially struggled with some aspects of the test, hard work and dedication helped Karin get Callie over the hump.
鈥淐GC was a big benchmark in Callie鈥檚 service dog training,鈥� says Karin. 鈥淧assing the test gave us a sense of achievement, and helped assure me that we will be make a successful service dog team.鈥�
6-Pound Pup, At Your Service
Following their CGC success, Karin and Callie continued their dedicated service dog training. Soon, though, Karin realized that Callie鈥檚 small size would provide a challenge, as most service dogs, like Labrador Retrievers, are much larger, and therefore less likely to be approached by strangers. As a result, Karin came up with some unique commands to deal with Callie鈥檚 fawning fans when she is out in public.
鈥淐allie will sit when meeting new people, and look to me for the command 鈥榶ou may visit鈥�,鈥� explains Karin. 鈥淭hen, she is released to be petted until she hears the command 鈥榖ack to work.'鈥�
Callie鈥檚 tiny stature unfortunately affects her in some negative ways, as well, as people often have a hard time believing such a small pup is a true service dog. Nonetheless, Karin remains undeterred by detractors, and instead continues to focus on training Callie into the best service dog she can possibly be.
Currently, the two are working towards their Advanced CGC and Urban CGC titles, following a successful summer of Callie working as a service dog onsite at Karin鈥檚 summer camp.
鈥淗aving a title is nice, but it鈥檚 really all the work and training that goes into passing the test that is important,鈥� stresses Karin. 鈥淔or the dog鈥檚 safety, the safety of others, and the strengthening of the bond between dog and human.鈥�
Earning Your CGC
If Karin and Callie have inspired you to try to take the Canine Good Citizen test, you can get started right away by finding a CGC class and evaluator. The Canine Good Citizen program is open to all dogs. If you have a special CGC story to share, be sure to tag any photos posted with #ThisisAKC #CGC .
The 蜜桃视频 Canine Good Citizen (CGC) program has been the gold standard of dog behavior since 1989. Thirty years later, more than 1 million dogs have passed their CGC test. In honor of over a million Canine Good Citizens, we鈥檝e launched a monthly 鈥淐GC & Me鈥� series, highlighting the amazing stories of 蜜桃视频 CGC dogs and their owners.