Anyone with experience of blind dogs?

[weblette]

My dsis is getting a gorgeous rescue dog today. He's a lovely little terrier type, only 1-2 years old but was in a terrible state when he was found and as a result is almost blind.

She actually works with the visually impaired so has some idea of what to do with humans, but do any of you have specific tips for things to make his life easier as he settles into a new home?

Thanks!

I've a little experience, having taken an 80% or more blind long-coat white GSD off the pound vet's table. The old fella lived with me for 3 or 4 months until I found him his forever home so I very much learned as I went along and read up as much as possible.

One of the first things that I recall learning was to make my home as blind-dog friendly as possible. That meant no coffee tables in the middle of the room, no shoes left laying on the floor and so on. Also, not to move furniture around. Blind animals adapt to new surroundings remarkably quickly but cope far less well with sudden changes in their environment.

Unless DSis lives in a bungalow I would really, really say that it's essential that she obtains a stairgate straight away, whether it's new, from Freecycle or Ebay or wherever. Because Shaney had a small amount of vision I could guide him up and down stairs, sitting in front of him to take his weight should he slip when we went down and walking behind him when he went upstairs but even so I had a stairgate at the top so he couldn't fall down once he'd got up there. DSis may not want her new dog to go upstairs at all but there is no guarantee that he's not going to try, so please urge her to take that precaution.

And of course, a secure garden and on-lead walks are a must too.

I'm wracking my brains now... so much has happened since I met Shane that it's hard to remember what I did.

Thanks Vallhala
I'll pass those on to her. She's just sent me a pic of him happy, sleepy and lounging on her legs on the sofa. She knows it won't be easy but I can't help but think he's a very lucky pup!

sorry cant offer advice but wanted to send lots of best wishes.

could we see a pic please?

Awww... a lounging dog sounds like just my type. Wishing your DSis and pooch the happiest of times together. It sounds like pooch has fallen on his paws. :)

Your DSis might like to join DogPages - they have a huge number of members and the chances are she'll find a few with blind dogs who are able to advise and support her.

Here he is :)

Will point her in the direction of Dog Pages.

Hi weblette. How is the little fella getting along?

I have a 7 year old shih tzu who had severe ulcers in her eyes about 3 years ago which resulted in a double enucleation. At the time I had absolutely no idea how I would help her to cope but with hindsight I had to do very little. Once she'd recovered from the operation she adapted really quickly. A dogs hearing and sense of smell are far more useful to them than their sight. She very quickly "mapped" the house and garden in her mind and rarely now bumps into anything. I have quite a big garden and she does sometimes get "lost" but barks to let me know where she is and I can just call her from the back door and she comes running. She seems to almost sense obstacles in her way and slows down before she gets to the back step.

Its a joy to see her out walking (on lead obviously). She holds her head up high and constantly sniffs the air! I've taught her commands such as "careful" when she gets to the edge of the pavement and "up" when she needs to jump up a small step. She won't jump onto or off of the bed or furniture any more but makes sure she lets me know if she wants to come up for a cuddle.

I did read somewhere that putting a bell on the collar of any other dogs in the household helps the blind dog find her way but in reality its blooming annoying having a dog (especially one who likes a good scratch and a shake!) tinkling all around the house.

I did subscribe to a Yahoo group for blind dogs in the beginning as well and had some amazingly supportive messages from people whose dogs had gone through the same procedure as my Molly.

Wish you all the best of luck - I'm sure the little guy will cope amazingly well xxxx