Training A Blind Dog

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If you are the owner of a newly blind dog, have adopted a blind or visually impaired dog or if you have been going through this for a while, it does get better and most dogs do adjust to their disability. If you follow a few simple steps, a blind dog will amaze you at how well they can lead a normal life.

  • Don’t leave obstacles on the floor or move furniture around.
  • Dogs pick up on our emotions so try to be positive and happy around your pooch.
  • Utilise the senses they still have: hearing, smell, touch, and taste.
  • A blind dog can be easily startled. Get people to let your dog sniff their hand before they pat them. The personality of a blind dog doesn’t usually change, but becoming startled can lead to biting in some dogs
  • Try to treat your dog as if they are normal and not blind. This helps build their confidence and shows they are loved. This can heavily influence a blind puppy’s personality.
  • Praise them when they do things they used to do; however, if they fail at something, encourage, coax, and praise them to help them achieve the task.
  • Using different scents in the rooms of your house can help your dog distinguish where they are in the home. This can be done with scented candles or air fresheners.
  • Textured materials are another way to distinguish areas in your home. These are especially helpful to a blind pup outside in your yard. Things like bark chips, bricks, and pillows are great things to use.
  • Don’t be afraid to walk past them. They feel vibrations and will be aware of you walking before you get to them.
  • If you own other animals, try attaching a small bell to their collars. This will help your blind dog to follow them, know where they are, and help prevent them getting startled.
  • Be vocal with your dog and offer lots of praise.
  • A large tabletop fountain is great for a drinking bowl. A blind dog can hear the running water and will be able to determine how far they are away from the water. If you move, this is a great thing to have as it helps your dog have a sense of control and normality.

These are just a few things you can do to train a blind dog. Being blind does not mean a death sentence.