Cortez

Hello, my name is Cortés!

The first 18 months of my life were spent with my breeder, living in her garden. I didn’t leave her home, so things like loud noises, cars, and even meeting other dogs were all very new to me. My world was small, but that changed when a kind trainer named Agota saw something in me. She said my sensitive nature made me a great candidate for becoming an assistance dog.

Agota took me home and started my training. At first, we worked on desensitizing me to all the unfamiliar sights and sounds. Every day, we practiced something new—walking near cars, meeting other dogs, or exploring busy places. Slowly, my confidence grew. I began to feel brave in situations that once scared me.

One day, a British lady came to meet me. She wanted to see if we were the right match for each other. From the moment she met me, she told Agota she loved me. That made me feel very special! We started working together, practicing all the ways I could help her live a more independent life. Agota spent a lot of time training me and using english commands so that my owner would be able to communicate easily with me.

One of my favorite commands is my lap.When she says this, I hop onto her lap and sit there to help her feel calm and relaxed when she’s feeling overwhelmed. It’s a simple task, but it makes a big difference.

Another command I enjoy is “where is Ben?” When she says this, I know it’s very important. I quickly go and find Ben, nudging him hard with my nose to let him know she needs help. I feel like such an important part of the team when I do this, and it’s one of my favorite tasks!
I’m also very good at walking through busy places and focusing entirely on her. This is crucial for being a great service dog. Thanks to my certification, I’m allowed to go everywhere with her, which makes her life much easier.

One thing she especially loves is when I sit under her legs and look up at her. It’s my way of checking in, making sure she’s okay. She says it brings her comfort knowing I’m always there for her. She has another command that is ‘up’ where I put my paws onto her tap which always makes her smile.

She tells me all the time how much I’ve changed her life. Together, we’ve built a bond that makes both of us stronger. Now, I live in beautiful Croatia with her, where we get to walk along the beach and watch sunsets. It’s a wonderful life, and I’m so proud to be her assistance dog. Now I’m a Hungarian dog, with a spanish name, with an english owner and living in croatia!