Love Is Blind: Home Care For Your Blind Dog
This is a topic of which I have intimate knowledge and experience, as well as activist-like passion. Elderly animals and special needs animals, and my specialty is blindness.
Me and My Golden Angel Casey; the already named, elderly blind cockapoo that came into our clinic as an owner-surrender (how!?) death-row (how!?) case. I knew none of this when i fell in love THE MOMENT i met her. And Senior Dog!? She acted like a young pup until her very final days (a lifestyle lesson we could take from Casey and all others, human and non, who live like that.)
Its Easier Than You Think
There is not much of a difference between canines with vision and those without.
As you get to know your blind dog better, or as you spend more time with your dog that has recently lost his or her vision, common sense will become the main tool for taking care of your beloved companion.
Eventually, living with a blind dog will feel so natural that you may forget it is blind at times (it really is that easy and natural!) and all of the adjustments that may be made will seem as if that is how life has always been. This is key in living with a blind dog—Approach the situation calmly, with the peace of mind that your dog is pretty much just like every other dog out there.
Blindness is almost as little of a hindrance to a dog as losing a limb. Vision is a canine’s third strongest sense, after smelling and hearing. With this knowledge, you can implement your own ideas for regimens based on sound and smell for your dog.
Try to have fun with it! Don’t let the challenges get you down! Your dog will benefit from this greatly, as they respond strongly to their owner’s emotions. Dogs are adaptive, and your dog will get used to its new life and will thrive wonderfully with your help.
CHILLAXIN!! LOOK! AT HOW CRAZY-NORMAL HAVING A BLIND PUPPY DOG IS!
Some Basic Steps:
Arrange your house so that it has a clear path. The dog will memorize its home, so try not to rearrange furniture too often.
Speak to and pet your dog often. Be close. Voice and Touch is very calming and reassuring to your pup.
Clapping loudly is an excellent way to call your dog to you and to guide him or her anywhere. Stomping your feet works well to guide the dog too if you choose.
Be patient. Some dogs are remarkable navigators, while others may need your help with things like getting through a door for a while.
Repetition. For example, lead your dog from the den to its food bowl in the kitchen and back the same way every time. Very soon it should be going on its own.
Try your best to eliminate areas where the dog could hurt itself, as it will be bumping into things head on almost all the time. Face and eye injuries are a risk.
Independence. Your dog must learn to do things on its own. Encourage him/her until the task is done.
For example, using the stairs on its own.
loud sounds, like clapping mentioned earlier, is a great idea. No leash is used, and the dog will enjoy the challenge of finding you.
When leaving your dog alone, turn on the TV or the radio at a low, inside-voices level. If appropriate, you can also give your dog a safe chew bone or toy.
Always let people know your dog is blind. It prevents startling and stressful encounters. Let people know how to approach your dog:
they should never touch the dog from behind or above—they should come to the dog’s face level, let the dog smell them, greet the dog, pet their face, and then they can pet the dogs body.
never let anyone pick up your dog without greeting them first (unless of course it is an urgent situation)
a good parallel example:
if you have ever been around horses, you were taught in the beginning to keep your hand on the horse’s body as you are circling around the horse. This prevents the horse from getting “spooked” by something behind it (you) and kicking you with its hind leg.
Think of handling your blind dog in this same sense. This is key to keeping your dog’s anxiety levels down, and that is key to keeping both you and your dog living happy healthy lives.
Be Active. Take them out with you. Go on walks. Blind dogs especially benefit from the stimulation. Be vocal throughout the walk too.
This is Mazy. She was the blind Boston Terrier rescued from a puppy mill. She was an elderly dog, with teats fresh off of weaning a litter. They were breeding her basically to death. Mazy says Thank You!
It Takes A Special Person to Care For A Special Needs Animal. It is a Rewarding Job and that Animal Will Thank You Forever.
IF YOU OR ANYONE YOU KNOW WOULD BE INTERESTED IN ADOPTING A BLIND, OLDER, OR OTHER SPECIAL NEEDS CAT OR DOG, PLEASE CONSIDER IT MORE SERIOUSLY!
DO ALL THE RESEARCH.
CONSIDER FOSTERING AN ELDERLY ANIMAL OR A SPECIAL NEEDS ANIMAL.
YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH YOU WILL BE HELPING THE ANIMALS AND THE PEOPLE THAT WORK IN THE FIELD OF ANIMAL RESCUE.
FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME EVEN! AS I HAVE HAD FIRST HAND EXPERIENCE WORKING IN THE CLINICS AS WELL AS HAVING BLIND DOGS IN MY OWN HOME.
Recap and Further Info:
Think of your house as a map when considering your dog.
Talk to and Pet your pup often.
Makes Sounds pretty much whenever you can or want. It tells your dog where you are. Some suggest wearing jingle bells around your ankles. I’ve never personally attempted this; but if it works for you, awesome.
Be Patient and Loving. They can drive you crazy sometimes.
Teach your dog anything you can. It must be independent to have a decent fulfilling life. Be Creative And Have Fun Doing It!!
Keep your dog safe—nothing to trip or fall over, nothing around to poke out its eye. There are products made to protect blind dogs’ heads if you need some extra help.
Keep your dog from being scared. Don’t sneak up on it, don’t pick it up swiftly. Let everyone know its blind and how to approach it properly.
Treat your dog like a normal dog, and it will act like a normal dog. Embrace and Love your blind dog! They are a joy and tend to be charming, funny, and amusing. Real Heart-Melters!
Of course, visit your Veterinarian regularly, and if needed, consider seeing an Ophthalmologist—an eye specialist.
There is a lot more info out there on blind dog care. Hopefully these few tips were helpful.
GOOD LUCK!
Mazy The Boston Terrier. Was blind in one eye when we adopted her. Became fully blind years later.
While the other dogs chose indoor couch potato life, Casey LOVED being outside and playing outside. She loved the sensory input—VERY IMPORTANT ENRICHMENT {a term used in animal husbandry. We want their “enclosed” lives (say, at a zoo) or, a life that we have much power over (a pet); we want to use our “control” over their lives to ENHANCE and IMPROVE and ENRICH their lives as much as we are able to.} She loved to relax outside alone. She would find a safe spot—she liked to lie under the tree, near the turkeys, i can tell she had a map. She would sit under the tree—ive never seen an animal or human enjoy breeze more than this dog. She loved to feel the wind in her curly fur, and all that information the wind brings to her nose? its like watching netflix! She really…loved life.
