Service Dog’s Adorable Confusion Over Ball-Blocked Door

Quick Smiles:

• Lucifer, a German shepherd service dog, is left puzzled by a door that won’t close due to a ball blocking its path.
• The amusing incident was captured and shared on TikTok by Lucifer’s owner, Erykah Maglio, and has since been viewed over 3 million times.
• Despite the minor hiccup, Lucifer’s dedication to his task has been praised by social media users, highlighting the determination of service dogs.

@demon.dog.duo

Lucifer the service dog usually closes doors for me on command, as getting up and down multiple times can be difficult. This time, a toy was stuck right outside the door but obstructed from view, preventing it from closing and confusing him. He did his best 🥹 #cardiacalertdog #servicedog #workingdog #wlgsd #germanshepherd #dogtraining #ambulatorywheelchairuser #mcas #ehlersdanlossyndrome #pots

♬ original sound – Demon.Dog.Duo ⛧

Service dogs are known for their sharp minds and alertness, but even they can experience moments of confusion. Lucifer, a German shepherd cardiac alert and mobility dog, is a prime example of this. He plays an essential role in helping Erykah Maglio navigate her daily life with confidence. However, even with his extensive training and intelligence, Lucifer can sometimes be stumped by the simplest of things.

Maglio, a resident of Phoenix, Arizona, managed to record a comical moment when Lucifer attempted to close a door, oblivious to the fact that a ball was obstructing its path. She shared with Newsweek that “he was so focused on the task” he’d been assigned that he “wouldn’t stop to get the ball” out of the way.

Maglio frequently shares snippets of her life with Lucifer on social media. After witnessing his adorable confusion with the door, she posted the video on her TikTok account (@demon.dog.duo) in February. The clip has since brought joy to many, racking up more than 3 million views and over 244,700 likes.

“He is a cardiac alert and mobility dog, who helps me by alerting to sudden heart rate spikes and drops, and assisting me with my mobility by retrieving items, closing doors, pressing buttons, carrying items, assisting with balance,” Maglio explained.

“He closes doors when I forget to close them myself, or if I have my hands full, because getting up right after sitting down, or staying upright too long can cause problems for my dysautonomia. But on this occasion, there was a heavy and irregularly shaped ball which was stopping the door, so he couldn’t close it.”

Service dogs come in various types, each trained to cater to different disabilities and medical needs. A cardiac service dog, like Lucifer, is specifically trained to detect changes in heart rate and blood pressure. The Service Dog Training School International (SDTSI) explains that these dogs alert their handlers of any changes through pawing, nudging, or barking.

If the situation calls for it, a cardiac service dog may alert family members, fetch medication, dial 911, or simply lay down with their handler for comfort. The exact response depends on the handler’s condition and the nature of the emergency.

The SDTSI recommends breeds like retrievers, German shepherds, poodles, and great Danes as ideal cardiac service dogs due to their high trainability, intelligence, and large noses.

Source