Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hi all I just wanted to tell you all about my Baby She is a 1 yr 5 mo old female border collie her name is paprika's got a little spice paprika for short AKA pepper for TDI work . paprika is a huge part of my life, I am 17 and have a bone disease called osteogenesis imperfecta it makes my bones break VERY easy and I also have moderate hearing loss .and paprika helps me . paprika was orriganally from a puppy mill I rescued her after the mill was shut down all the vets and breeders said a BC would never make a service dog but paprika and I set out to prove them wrong and we did paprika knows 40-50 commands and helps me some times with the simplest task, she allows me freedom . Soon my car will be done and paprika will be accompanying me every whereI love her so much and just wanted to share Our story with you .
amy http://hometown.aol.com/quakerparrotb/myhomepage/index.html

Wow! What an awesome dog you have! Thanks for sharing and I would love to hear more.

>>hi all I just wanted to tell you all about my Baby She is a 1 yr 5 mo old female border collie her name is paprika's got a little spice paprika for short AKA pepper for TDI work . paprika is a huge part of my life, I am 17 and have a bone disease called osteogenesis imperfecta it makes my bones break VERY easy and I also have moderate hearing loss .and paprika helps me . paprika was orriganally from a puppy mill I rescued her after the mill was shut down all the vets and breeders said a BC would never make a service dog but paprika and I set out to prove them wrong and we did paprika knows 40-50 commands and helps me some times with the simplest task, she allows me freedom . Soon my car will be done and paprika will be accompanying me every whereI love her so much and just wanted to share Our story with you .
>> amy http://hometown.aol.com/quakerparrotb/myhomepage/index.html
>>
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Charlene

Adopt the pace of Nature
Her secret is patience

-Ralph Waldo Emerson-

WOW!!! That is so cool!!! Those fools that think BC's can't do that kind of work! If only they tried- like you did.
Most people think that BC's are jut so full of energy that they can't do anything but run & run & run. What they don't realize is that it is the mental work that exercises them the best. They have to think- which they do so very well- plus do the physical assistance that you need. That is such wonderful news! And yes, please do tell us more! What are some of the unusual commands that she has learned (and at such a young age) and how did you teach them to her? This is fascinating stuff!!! Thank You! Look forward to hearing from you ~~~ Nancy

I'd love to hear the commands as well. I'm always so excited to hear examples of how dogs physically help the lives of the humans around them. I guess that's why i'm fascinated by working breeds.

hi,
paprika's commands range so much for close the doors I say "close it" to flush the toilet I tell her "flush it" to turn on touch Lights I tell her "touch it" to push intercom I tell her "get Help" commands I use to ask her to go what way I want when we are walking is "Forward" "left" "right""back" "come close" "go ARound" get in front" if I am using a scooter and theri is not enough room in the store I tell her "get on" their is lots more . I thought you all might like to see some more pics of her working and having fun .
amy

paprika holding bag 4 me

paprika in her harness close up

paprika hiding

This picture reminds me of a scene from ET when ET was blending in with a closet full of stuffed animals. Cute picture.

She is just wonderful, Amy!!! Isn't it incredible what BC's can learn. I think that many of them would make the very BEST sevice dogs! She's a very serious girl,isn't she? She takes her work very seriously! Does she play much? I always wonder if puppy mill dogs ever really get over that neglect and are able to play comfortably. Amy- sh's great and so are you! Thanks so much for sharing! She's a beautiful girl! Nancy

Yes she is great! BC's are active but they also need to use their great minds and she looks and sounds like she has the best of both worlds. She is just beautiful and from what you have shared with us a perfect dog for you and her work! What an awesome dog you have and thanks so much for sharing these wonderful pictures and stories. I'm really thrilled for both of you.

>>She is just wonderful, Amy!!! Isn't it incredible what BC's can learn. I think that many of them would make the very BEST sevice dogs! She's a very serious girl,isn't she? She takes her work very seriously! Does she play much? I always wonder if puppy mill dogs ever really get over that neglect and are able to play comfortably. Amy- sh's great and so are you! Thanks so much for sharing! She's a beautiful girl! Nancy
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Charlene

Adopt the pace of Nature
Her secret is patience

-Ralph Waldo Emerson-

This is Sarah, a border collie mix who accompanies her owner to work at a local nursing home. The residents love her and she has been trained to pick up things they drop. Her owner found her wandering alongside a busy highway as a puppy and kept her. The owner's grandmother is a resident at the nursing home, which practices the Eden concept of residential care by including pets, plants and cooking as part of the living experience. Maybe border collies are finding a niche in the therapy and assistance dog realm. Sarah wears a name tag that says "resident counselor."

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~Rascal
striving to be the kind of person my dog thinks i am

hi Great Pic paprika is a therapy dog too but we have not been able to go out visiting due to my injuries I enjoyed reading your post TTYL .
amy