Guiding a blind dog

It’s usually the other way round, the faithful guide dog leading the human with impaired vision as the highly trained hound negotiates the obstacles.

Unfortunately, it comes as no surprise that as our pets grow older, they may start to lose their eyesight, and it is down to us to make that time as stress-free as possible. At the same time, there are dogs that lose their vision early, and some are even born blind.

So bearing this in mind, if we are faced with this problem, how do we cope, and what can we do to make life easier for all of us and our pets?

Ironically the best person to ask is someone who is blind; after all, who is better to impart the knowledge than an individual who faces these difficulties daily? Obviously, the challenges facing a canine and a human are not identical, but the principle is the same. Not knowing what is in front? We can see the obstacles, identify them and take evasive action to prevent any unwanted consequences, but to those that cannot see…….

Common causes of sight loss

So first, why does it happen? The most common will be cataracts, glaucoma plus the inevitable result of old age and, of course, Sudden Acquired Retinal Degeneration Syndrome. (SARDS) Dogs with SARDS lose their sight extremely quickly, just as the name suggests.

So what do we do? Well, the first thing is to get a grip, don’t bemoan your pet’s loss of vision, and stop feeling sorry for them or yourself. With your help, they will adapt remarkably quickly. As with life in general, when faced with the unexpected, don’t whine, whinge or bury your head. Take responsibility, ADAPT, ADJUST, OVERCOME.

What can you do?

Having accepted that YOU probably have more of a problem than your pet, start with the obvious, your furniture. Don’t move things around. Once your dog has a mental image of where everything is, he will happily negotiate the furniture just as a blind human can without constantly bumping into it. If it is necessary to rearrange the furniture, then carefully lead your pet through the new layout.

There are a multitude of gadgets to assist owners of blind dogs, a lot of them designed for profit and have little value for day-to-day existence, but some do have a practical use. For example, for the enthusiastic dog that constantly bangs his head as he gets to get around, there is a large variety of “halo” devices available, but extensive research needs to be undertaken to find the one most suitable for a particular dog.

Hand signals are totally useless, so one option is clicker training accompanied by tasty treats or the use of a whistle accompanied by equally tasty treats. May I suggest the use of a proper whistle that can properly be heard will be better and definitely not a silent one or an adjustable version. Obtaining a whistle with a number stamped on the back will have a defined tone suitable for the purpose. That number should be in the region of 212 if it is a plastic version.

Feeding and water bowls should stay in the same place.

Stairs are a major potential hazard, and the use of baby gates as a barrier can be highly effective.

Informing other people, particularly strangers, that your pet is blind will prevent the over-friendly but uninitiated people from startling your dog with unwanted attention and even a lead and collar with BLIND DOG emblazoned on both may assist.

Other senses

Blind dogs, just as blind people do, will rely on their other senses, particularly hearing, and loss of sight doesn’t mean they don’t want to play. However, aggravating they can be toys that squeak and rattle can assist with adjusting to loss of sight.

Keeping a blind dog on the lead when walking is recommended. However, if there is an open space and your dog is proficient in returning when called, then being off the lead can be a very welcome stimulus, provided there are no dangers.

Years ago, a client of mine sewed budgie bells onto her slippers so her dog knew where she was indoors at all times. Having discovered that her dog followed her slippers, she then attached bells to her walking shoes and found her dog would happily follow her off the lead. Talking of outdoors, another trick if the dog is in the garden, assuming it is enclosed and a safe environment, is to put up a wind chime near the back door, thus assisting the dog in achieving his bearings.

Finally, if you see that your pet becomes unresponsive to sound leading to disobedience and confusion, then a visit to the vet for a hearing test is necessary. Yes, just to make life even more difficult there are very rare occasions where blindness and deafness go hand in hand. If you are faced with this very unusual scenario, the same rules apply, don’t get upset. It will distress your dog, yet again, you are more likely to suffer anguish than your dog!!

A vibrating collar can be an invaluable gadget, and even stamping your foot will get a dog’s attention as the vibration is felt through the dog’s feet.