Firstly, dogs that are blind generally cope with it better than their humans. They already have a much better nose and hearing than humans, so they are off to a good start. These senses will get even better with time.
| Step |
Notes |
| Try not to move furniture or alter yards or gardens.
Keep certain things (like water bowl) in the same place.
The use of a "stop" word to give warning they are about to encounter something, stop, wait, step are good words, some strange people even use "Whoops-a-Daisy".
Carpet runners on floor boards, or even to guide then through an area is good.
A battery radio on low all the time will give bearings. |
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| Inside, look for things that may poke into the eye, can be tripped over, or fall down. Use of smells later on can help with this. Outside,
look for similar, and trim those dangerous branches/twigs. The area should be secured to prevent wandering off. |
Child gates, ramps, and tidiness help Some adaptations outside could be expensive, use of a trail of sand or stones around a "forbidden area" might be an alternative. |
| Scent the vertical surfaces like door edges, door frames, and furniture. Outside areas also. |
Scents could be aroma-therapy, or cooking essences, for outside wood oil, kerosene, and creosote on wood.
Never use too much scent, and test the area first to see
if there will be a stain
Use different scents to indicate good and bad areas, like peppermint oil for good (like door openings), orange for bad (like first and last steps) |
| Adapt games, if a ball was their favorite toy, put a bell in a ball, or a smell like cooking essences added to it. Cheese or peanut butter added
to a ball or Kong can be quite interesting.
Remember, humans can be considered as toys, get down to their level and make a fool of yourself, they will love it. |
Be careful that there is no choke hazard with the bell. A dog that did not play before blindness is not likely to play after, but there is nothing to stop you trying.
Food is always a good motivator. |
| Going for a walk, a bell or something that rattles as you go could be attached to trouser or shoes so you can be located |
A retractable leash is good. |
| Ramps could be useful for some small dogs. Especially doxies that should be using ramps anyway. AnnaMarie's Pippy has several ramps. Her ramp was instrumental in Pippy getting her confidence back. Actually, even a larger dog can be trained to use a ramp quite easily. Ramps are very useful for those few steps that some blind dogs just won't go near. |
See Pippy's Ramp at "Pippy's Web Page |
| At first, the dog will not realize they are blind, they will think "the lights have been turned off", or the sun has not come up yet. Other pets may take some time before they catch on. |
Some humans going blind either want to be independent, or want sympathy, dogs are the same. |
| Most people will be looking for the answer or cure to going blind, but never forget that being free from pain and anxiety, and so then comfort may be the number ONE priority.
If blindness is new, seek a vet ophthalmologist, do not assume that normal vets know a great deal in this field. |
Blindness can be triggered by another underlying illness, or simply old age |
| Personality changes may happen, aggressiveness trying to hide blindness, or trying to hold on to an alpha position, "hunger" because of the instinct of "where's my next meal coming from?", jealousy for the attentions of their human. You must remain in control. |
Overfeeding to give comfort can be bad, you can "kill with kindness". Some other illnesses can trigger blindness and food disorders, Cushing's Diseaseis one sometimes linked to this. |
| Do not baby them, they will have to learn sooner or later to get about on there own. It can be hard to be firm with a dog that has had this happen to them, but a firm voice may be needed. |
Again, don't "kill with kindness". |
| Soon (most dogs) are enjoying there old activities"looking out the window" for the humans return, enjoying a ride in the car, bungee jumping, or free fall parachuting. |
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| Perhaps a sign on the door might warn visitors that the dog is blind. At least they can appreciate it is easier to get out of the dogs way, rather
than the other way around. |
Also if there is any aggressiveness, that could be added. |
| Stages the human may go through (1)Disbelief,(2) grief, (3)anger, (4)want to kill the vet, (5)want to get a huge loan to "just get the eyes fixed at any cost", (6)consider euthanasia, (7)sadness, (8)wanting pity (not for the dog but yourself), (9)thinking positive and being practical, (10)acceptance, wondering why you worried so because they cope so well |
It is recommended you skip any or all of steps (1) to (8) and go straight to step (9) |