How to Train a Blind Dog to Avoid Obstacles
By teaching a blind dog the "go slowly" command, you may be able to help her avoid nasty bumps, build confidence and resume daily activities.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
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1
Put your dog on a leash with a flat buckle collar, never a choke collar.
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2
Apply gentle backward pressure on the leash (avoid jerking) when your dog begins to walk. Give the command "slo-o-w" or "e-e-easy" at the same time.
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3
Say "good slow" or "good easy" to your dog the instant she slows down.
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4
Give your dog a food treat and/or lots of praise.
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5
Use this command to alert your dog whenever she's about to bump into something.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Teach new behaviors on a surface where your dog feels secure (a non-slip rug, for instance) and in a familiar area.
Do not try to shove or startle your dog into going slowly.
Be patient when working with blind dogs. Use praise lavishly. Punishment can cause blind dogs to become more depressed, anxious or aggressive.
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Comments
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nidra
Apr 17, 2010
I live in Bodrum , Turkey, where there are a lot of dogs living as strays on the streets! I've been adopting the most needy ones: with injuries and healing after surgeries. few days ago while feeding strays down the street fr. my house I noticed a new dog in my neighborhood, thought he was shy at first but then I realized he was blind that's why he was insecure and acted scared all the time, so I couldnt leave him on the streets, I took him to the vet to be checked, he is going to need treatment for a long while in one eye, the other eye is probably gone! I guess now I will have another addition a 7th dog to our family but I never had a blind dog before, I dont know how my other dogs (all spayed females) will treat him! Although I have a 1/2 seeing one-eyed cat who is actually pretty good with catching flies and crickets and lizards but he sometimes runs into the dogs when they are a... -
MollieMisty
Dec 26, 2007
My husband and I have adopted a blind Australian Shepherd a couple of weeks ago. We have a Border Collie mix that she is doing very well with. They play and love to run around our back yard, but she is still very timid with people. She came from a rescue that took great care of her, but they had a couple of aggressive dogs, so she spend alot of her time in her kennel and not learning to socialize with people. She is not aggressive and is showing signs of not tensing up when we are close to her, but she still runs to her "safe" place any time she is spooked. Can anyone tell me where I can get some advise on teaching her to trust people? Thanks, Tracey
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MollieMisty
Dec 26, 2007
My husband and I have adopted a blind Australian Shepherd a couple of weeks ago. We have a Border Collie mix that she is doing very well with. They play and love to run around our back yard, but she is still very timid with people. She came from a rescue that took great care of her, but they had a couple of aggressive dogs, so she spend alot of her time in her kennel and not learning to socialize with people. She is not aggressive and is showing signs of not tensing up when we are close to her, but she still runs to her "safe" place any time she is spooked. Can anyone tell me where I can get some advise on teaching her to trust people? Thanks, Tracey
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Nov 22, 2005
My dog has been blind for 2 years. I read in a very helpful book ("Living with Blind Dogs" by Caroline D. Levine, R.N.) to put perfume on the edge of each step in your house to help her climb up and down with more confidence.
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Nov 22, 2005
My dog has been blind for 2 years. I read in a very helpful book ("Living with Blind Dogs" by Caroline D. Levine, R.N.) to put perfume on the edge of each step in your house to help her climb up and down with more confidence.
