| When the diagnosis and realization comes that | | | | lessen the impact on your blind dog's face or |
| your dog is blind, a type of shock ripples through | | | | body. Additionally, indoor/outdoor carpeting, wind |
| the mind and heart. Then come the questions: | | | | chimes and cedar chips or decorative bricks can |
| What do I do? How do I cope? How does my | | | | help guide your blind dog along its way outside |
| dog cope? The good news is a blind dog and its | | | | while in the yard. |
| owner can successfully travel the journey; this | | | | 3. Use bells or jingling tags on your other pet(s). |
| article will explain some of the ways. | | | | Not only does this help your blind dog to find and |
| Each year hundreds of dogs lose their sight, either | | | | or follow your other pet(s), but it will also keep |
| from disease, accidents, or just old age. | | | | your blind one from being startled by the other |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), diabetes, | | | | four-footed members of your family. You can |
| glaucoma, automobile accident, or fireworks | | | | also use bells on your shoes (and those of the |
| disaster can rob a dog of its sight. The | | | | other members of your human family) to help |
| understanding of having a special needs dog may | | | | your blind dog find you and to follow you more |
| rob an owner of his/her confidence. However, | | | | closely on walks. |
| that understanding, and the ultimate decision to | | | | 4. Don't underestimate the power of gentle touch |
| move forward, can also result in a greater bond | | | | and voice. Both help reassure your blind dog. Dogs |
| between dog and owner, a deeper connection, | | | | love the sound of their human's voice, and that is |
| and a stronger sense of self and purpose in both | | | | especially true for blind dogs. Hearing you say its |
| dog and owner. | | | | name kindly and tenderly gives your dog security. |
| My dog Sage was only 1 ½ years old when | | | | Additionally, teaching new commands, such as |
| she was diagnosed with PRA, a genetic disease of | | | | 'step-up', 'step-down' and 'stop' (very useful for |
| the retina. I had adopted Sage from an animal | | | | navigating stairs and taking walks!) not only keeps |
| shelter and I had no idea at the time that she | | | | your dog's mind alert, but also provides extra |
| was losing her sight. I learned many lessons along | | | | security for you and your blind dog. Touch is |
| the way, how dog and owner can successfully | | | | calming for a blind dog, and the gentle rubs near |
| adapt together, and how brave and determined a | | | | the ears, under the chin, and on the belly remind |
| special needs pet can be. Living with a special | | | | your dog that it is loved. Affectionate voice, |
| needs dog is just that... special. There are | | | | encouragement and training, plus tender touch |
| adjustments both pet and owner must make, and | | | | provide the sense of security a disabled pet |
| it's up to the owner to help the dog adjust. Just | | | | needs. |
| as Seeing Eye dogs (guide dogs) assist blind | | | | 5. Sense of smell is keen in blind dogs, especially |
| people, so too, must a sighted owner assist the | | | | those of hunting and working breeds. Finding the |
| blind dog. However, blindness does not mean | | | | food and water bowls may not be too challenging, |
| complete dependence. Dogs adapt quite readily to | | | | especially if those items are kept in the same |
| losing their sight, especially if the loss is gradual, | | | | place at all times. You may want to consider using |
| and other senses, like hearing and smell, heighten | | | | a tabletop fountain as a water bowl -- the sound |
| in the animal and help the dog compensate for | | | | of running water helps orient a blind dog and helps |
| the vision loss. Even though a dog's adaptability | | | | it find the water bowl. Some dogs like drinking |
| and aptitude are strong, the dog owner can help | | | | from running water as well. This tip can be |
| in several ways. | | | | especially helpful if you and your blind dog move |
| 1. Don't move the furniture - or at least don't | | | | to a new home. If you decide to use this idea, |
| move it often. Blind dogs learn quickly where large | | | | get a simple fountain with a large bowl - less |
| items are placed, and they use that memory to | | | | mess and more room for your dog's mouth and |
| get around. Having the sofa in one spot for | | | | snout! So, how does one live with a blind dog? |
| several months and then relocating it to another | | | | Almost exactly like one lives with a sighted dog. |
| will cause confusion, and the dog will bump into | | | | There are adjustments both dog and owner must |
| that piece of furniture more readily when it is | | | | make, but as long as the dog knows it is loved |
| moved. If you do move furniture, help the dog | | | | and cared for, that it has a stable home with its |
| learn the new placement by walking the dog on a | | | | human "pack", and that it has consistency in life, a |
| lead around the room and gently brushing the dog | | | | blind dog can share a wonderful companionship |
| against the piece of furniture. Help your dog | | | | with its owner for many, many years. Moving |
| understand the room's new layout by walking the | | | | furniture in the house often is not a good idea, |
| dog on the lead several times. This "routine" will | | | | and catching and fetching a Frisbee probably isn't |
| become set in memory. | | | | a top sport. However, living a happy life is still |
| 2. Be creative with different scents and textured | | | | very possible for a blind dog. Creativity, |
| materials to mark specific areas in your home -- | | | | consistency, and courage are the keys. My blind |
| just make sure it is safe for your dog. You can | | | | dog Sage is now nine years old and has lived with |
| use different scents of flavored extracts or even | | | | blindness for six of those years. Her tail continues |
| something as simple as hanging a car air | | | | to wag despite her handicap. I've grown to love |
| freshener or potpourri sachet on a door. Using | | | | and appreciate her more through the blindness |
| different scents in each room may help your dog | | | | experience. I respect my dog's courage, |
| distinguish different rooms in your house. Throw | | | | determination, and zest for life. |
| rugs and decorative pillows are a great help for | | | | We share a deeply rooted bond for which I am |
| marking different rooms of the house and for | | | | most grateful. Traveling the pathway of blindness |
| outlining where the pieces of furniture are located. | | | | together, dogs and their owners can learn many |
| For example, putting a throw rug down next to | | | | things from one another. If you're like me, as a |
| each recliner in the living room can help the dog | | | | blind dog owner you will come to realize you are |
| keep from bumping into those recliners. Also, | | | | the one who learns the most, especially about |
| since blind dogs do run into things, and corners of | | | | facing obstacles and living life. It's a challenging yet |
| tables or hallway walls can impose injury, cover | | | | incredible journey that can be successfully |
| these corners with padding like a soft fabric to | | | | navigated together. |