I have a blind dog..she is 14 and I was just wondering what I could do to make things easier for her?

Question

She is so frustrated in bumping in to things...she continues to sit in one place...thus not getting any excerise...I usually tell her to be careful when she goes out and with that command she knows to slow down...and turns her head....but I have to be with her all the time and talk to her...otherwise she is still healthy and is eatting and deficating...I don't want to loose her but if she is in pain or sick...I would have to do that...

Answer 1

My dog is blind and very happy. I would never put him to sleep unless he is physically yelping in agony. Anyway, he knows his way around after a few bumps. It's actuallly kind of cute, because everytime he bumps something, his tail waggles like he's happy that he has figured something out.

Anyway, I try not to move anything around that would intterup his established pathway. When I take him out, I used walk beside him and lead him to the grass. I take him to the same designated spot so that he recognises the area by scent and there aren't any surprise dips or anything.

Don't change around any established areas of activity. i.e. don't move food or water bowl around or move her bed to another spot. Unless you feel it would be easier/better for her and need to move something elsewhere. Make sure you lead her to it and have her feel and smell what it is your moving.

As long as she still listens to commands, It shouldn't be a problem.

Since my dog has an established area to do his "business" I don't have to go with him anymore. He just does his thing and when he's done, he knows the way back himself.

Answer 2

Really, being blind is no problem for dogs as long as you don't move things around.

If you can, try to make clear paths through your house so she can get through without going around things that would be ideal. If not, she will learn to make her way.

You will have to stay with her outside, though for the rest of her life.

I had a neighbor who has a blind dog who is 20. She has been blind for about 8 years. She will be less active since she can't see, but maybe try taking her for leashed walks up and down the block at quiet times of the day or night.

Answer 3

My 14 year old toy poodle is about 95% blind, she doesnt bump into things but she sniffs around to find where she wants to go. She does very will considering I own a bar/hotel and she has the run of the place. Yours will do fine she just has to use her nose.

Answer 4

I'd say if she's still healthy, just do what you can to help her out for whatever time she has left. You don't mention how long she has been blind, but I suspect that if you are careful not to move things around in your dog's environment, she will probably get used to finding her way around.

Answer 5

I assume she was able to see before, and blindness is new to her. My suggestion would be to leave things like furniture, her bed, food, and her toys in the same place they've always been. Don't move them or else she'll get confused. Put her on a leash and gently "show" her around the house again, giving lots of praise and affection. Hopefully she'll come around.

Answer 6

I used to have a blind dog when I was younger. It would bump into furniture if I moved it around. I tried to limit moving anything (furniture, etc). Dogs will learn where everything is after a few "bumps."

Answer 7

If you have steps in your home she could fall down you need to put up a baby gate/dog gate to protect her. She could easily fall down and get hurt.
Keep furniture and her bed and toys in the same place.
You may have to guide her to her bed, food, and toys.
You should also take her out on a leash so she feels more comfortable.
Treat her like a princess. Spoil her.

Answer 8

Here is a product I've never heard of until just now. Its called an Angel Vest. You can see it here http://www.angelvest.homestead.com/

Here are some tips for living with a blind dog
http://www.angelvest.homestead.com/hints.html

And finally a list of links which you may find helpful
http://www.angelvest.homestead.com/links.html

Answer 9

Ok, try an experiment ok?

here is that experiment.

ive never done this before but i know dogs are smart.

ok, give the dog a recognizable scent, one that she will learn to stay away from, then out the scent on anything she could bump into. (the scent doesnt have to be nasty smelling, but use the "conditioning" way of learning to teach her to stay away from it.)

maybe if you do this, she can use her nose to stay away from these scents (it could be a certain sticker or object)
then by staying away from the scent she could stay away from the object also.

good luck, email me if it doesnt work!!

[e-mail]

ily
-rae

Answer 10

Oh poor thing. I hope she is doing all right. Give her some loves for me! Just don't move around the furniture she will be all right just using her nose and occasionally your help.