Has Anyone Ever Had Experience With A Blind Dog?

[Juicy]

Didi is now full-blown blind. Both eyes She knows how to get to her water/food bowl and to the backdoor. She's been a very spoiled pooch with treats, ect. But will she get the same enjoyment from walking even though she has no sight? Last time I tried walking her, it was like she was scared to walk in such unfamiliar surroundings and her not able to see where she is and all. But that just saddens me so much, walks where her most favorite thing to do, besides eating her favorite meaty foods. What can I do with her to make her days worthwhile even though she's without sight now? I cuddle with her alot, pet, scratch her, but is there more? My mom thinks she's suffering to much and i should pts. But when I come in the room and I call her name and see that wagging tail, I don't see how she can't be a less of a happier dog than she was before even without her loss of sight. I'm going to try the whole walking thing again, try coaxing her more with my voice, I know in the backyard she still sniffs around, so she has to still get some enjoyment from a walk. I know it'll be more expensive keeping her alive, now with having to have meds for her other eye, but when its her time to go, it'll come, I don't see how this will stop her from enjoying her life she still has ahead.

 

[Lizmo]

Oh wow How terrible. ((HUGS)) to you both.

Take it slow! I can't imagine what SHE'S feeling right now, so in all honesty I wouldn't take her for a walk in a new place.

I would say try to do everything the same, so she remembers.

But I have no idea. I've never had to deal with a blind pup before.

 

[Juicy]

Thats what I'm doing now, but I just feel so guilty when I take out Pepe & Princess aaand haave to leaaave her behind and the she's not getting the same enjoyment they're getting.

I know it doesn't help with bettering her percepition around the house, but sometimes I even take her outside by carrying her to the grass just so she doesn't bump into things, bugs me so much when she does. But when I do her walk by herself I make sure the path is clear and nothing has moved/changed.

 

[misticaleclipse]

I have not dealt with one either, but I know I have seen
threads on it here before so I hope someone will speak up.

I have heard only the basics, to keep their food and water
in the same place. To not move furniture so they can remember
the layout of the house. To use your voice commands for what
the know, sit etc

 

[Juicy]

I still make her do tricks sometimes. She's really good on the commands, she still does give me five and taps my hand with her paw, but although she can still grasp on how to do the trick, she's doesn't always know where the treat is I have holding for her in my hand is sometimes. She'll be a little off sometimes when she trys to snatch the treat.

 

[noludoru]

Don't feel bad.. it's NOT your fault. ((((hugs))) I don't think you should baby her if SHE doesn't need it, though. Take her out on walks on her own with lots of special yummy treats, and praise her when she comes to your voice.. it MAY also help if you erect a sort of barrier for her around obstacles in your yard (it's fenced, yes?). Like 6-10 inches of gravel or dirt or something (maybe just make it consistent) so while she's in the yard she knows by the feel of things under her paws when she is nearing something she could bump into. Her other senses are going to heighten, as well, and my bet is that she'll be able to start smelling things at least a second or so before she bumps into them.

I hope someone who has experience here will be able to help you. There are probably websites and message forums dedicated to people with blind dogs, as well?

 

[mrose_s]

I read a while ago one trick is to put a bit of scented oil (like tea tree oil or somethign nice) on the legs of the furniture, cupboards walls or anythign she could bump into so that she learns to navigate her way around. Also don't move furniture or anything around.

You could also try teaching her some commands like "stop" or "left" "right" so that she gains confidence that you will help direct her.

Just because a dog is blind doesn't mean its suffering or not happy.
This is proof of what can be done.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=o4OyCtuWT2M

 

[Juicy]

Thanks so much for posting that video, makes me feel a whole lot better. And thanks for the advice!!

Noludoru yeah its fenced. So far she's been doing well in the backyard. She's even now knows to bark for me when she's in the concrete part of the backyard (patio) to get in, because sometimes she wanders off and bumps into the chairs and stuff trying to get to the door.

 

[noludoru]

You could have some potted mint plants by the door..... the scent would probably be more than enough in the spring-to-fall months to get her there. Or maybe a small pine-type tree.. the ugly decorative ones.

I'm so glad she's learning, though. She sounds very adaptable, and boy is she lucky to have you.

 

[elegy]

maybe try some of these ideas?

 

[Juicy]

You could have some potted mint plants by the door..... the scent would probably be more than enough in the spring-to-fall months to get her there. Or maybe a small pine-type tree.. the ugly decorative ones.

I'm so glad she's learning, though. She sounds very adaptable, and boy is she lucky to have you.

Thanks alot of the advice!!

Today I walked her, I couldn't stand not involving her in an activity she loved doing so much. It went really well, VERY SLOW & VERY LONG, but it went well! I walked her the path she knew, at first it was slow, but she got the idea of me calling her. I kept praising her saying good girl to encourage her to keep walking its okay & that I was there with her. I felt that she seemed secured when I called her & knew that I wasn't going to let anything happen to her. I tug at her leash when she's going to bump into something. But the path I went was pretty clear and just mostly grass so it went good. She manged to avoid a bush all by herself!! Its like she knew it was coming! I'm going to try the left & right commands for our next walk instead of tugging on her leash. Then I walked Pepe & Princess separate and afterwards gave all them treats & I cuddled up with Didi & Pepe on the couch and watched the Pursuit Of Happiness. Princess was busy chasing those little flying things the sunlight makes. But then she came and cuddle with us after she was done with her fun.

Thanks elegy for the link! Those are great! And I suppose I'll stop babying her & picking her up, but I just felt so bad that this is happening to her thought it'll make her life easier. I'm thinking of getting one of those I'm blind apparrel since I still want her to take her places with me. And I'm buying a kong for sure! I was actually thinking about her missing out on chasing small critters today, since Pepe & Princess had a ball today chasing a cat out of our backyard & felt bad Didi couldn't take part of the fun sicne she had n oidea there was a cat in our yard, but great to find out she still can chase if I alert her when there's something to chase!

 

[Tankstar]

Our old dog went blind the last 6 years of her life. At first it was a huge adjustment for her. but she got very used to it. Dont rearange any furniture at all, that way she can map out where everything is. With time she will become well adjusted to life this way. Our dog was terrified of walks afterwords. But what we did to break up some bordom was go for car rides. I would hold her as she put her head out the window, or i would carry her around the blokc and sit her down by some trees and such asn just let her sniff. She was older when she went blind so was less actuve (she went fully blind by age 9). You can teach her to walk upstairs and such so she gets reused to it. Just say step up when going up and step down. At the dog park a lady brings her dog with her her dogs is comletly blind and the dog knows "find me" which means find the owner, and she will find her very easily. Also step up as when we walk int he woods there is roots every where. her dog thrives on walks still and would just devestate her if they stop.

 

[Sweet72947]

FOHA has adopted out several blind dogs in the 3 years I've been there. One of the most memorable is Diamond Jim. He looks like a really small rottweiler. He was adopted out to a family with another dog. He was with them some years, then came back for being destructive when the other dog died. Then the poor old boy was in and out of foster homes because of his seperation anxiety, until one of the volunteers finally adopted him, and now he lives happily with her and her other dog. DJ did well with being blind, except for the SA. He let you lead him on the leash, and he was very sweet.

Blind animals usually cope very well with the blindness. Like the others said, don't move the furniture because they learn where everything is, and if stuff is moved they will get confused. Most blind dogs I've known have acted like any other normal dog. I've never owned one myself though, only a half-blind cat once (RIP Franco).