How to Care for Your Blind Puppy

You have made the decision to adopt a blind puppy and you need some encouragement and guidance. Don't fret, when caring for a blind puppy some extra creativity can go a long way.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Baby gate
• Crate and Blankets
• Food and Water Bowl
• Puppy Food

1. Use Extra Verbal Affirmation.
   Praise your puppy when he does something right and reassure him when he is frightened. Use the same phrases all the time. Remember he can't see and will be startled by new sounds and places. Praise him and reassure him, for with time he will learn the sounds and trust you to keep him safe in new places.

2. Hold Your Puppy Close To You.
   The younger the puppy the closer you need to hold him. Your puppy needs to know you are close and can keep him safe no matter how scary the world might be for him. Hold him firmly close to your heart and use the phrase "Calm down". When he calms down, you can loosen your hold or let him explore. As he grows older he will need less and less of this "holding" assurance.

3. Place The Puppy In A Gated Area.
   Place the puppy in a place (preferably floor) where you know he will be safe and will be easy to clean any accidents. Exploring will help your puppy practice how to "map out" or navigate his surroundings.

4. Place The Puppy In A Crate.
   If you are not close or for night time and house breaking purposes, place the puppy in his crate with a baby receiving blanket. Baby receiving blankets are small and easy to clean in case you have to put them in the washer. If he is very young or a small breed, a heating pad might be necessary for cold nights.

5. Introduce Him To Strangers, New Sounds And Places.
   A blind puppy needs to be introduced to sounds which we take for granted with a sighted puppy. A crackling bag, a horn, etc. When meeting a stranger use a happy voice and the word, "Pet". Your puppy will not be startled by a stranger's touch. New places and smells can be scary. Verbally encourage your puppy as you introduce him slowly to a new place.

6. Train Him Like You Would A Sighted Puppy.
   Your puppy can learn to be discipline. When it comes to house breaking and leash training your puppy can learn like a sighted dog; just use extra verbal praise and discourage bad behavior.

7. Have Confidence In Your Puppy.
   Don't shelter him just because he's blind. His disability is a challenge to adjust and overcome! You will be amazed at how your puppy will rise to the challenge.

Tips & Warnings

• Be patient, it will pay off
• Training is necessary when they are young, but the older the puppy the less time and effort he will take
• All puppies are unique, only you can watch and learn your puppies needs

Resources

• Samsons: Lessons From A Blind Dog
• Daily Puppy Blogsze34w

[chrystalpath]

on 8/7/2009 I adopted a 5 day old orphan toy fox terrier. Andrew had my heart from the moment his cold near lifeless body reached my hands.
Today 8/7/09 he is 3 wks old and yes he is blind. He has no eye in the right and does have one in the left tho cloudy. I am treating both with drops for moisturizing and hope that the left may come round to being sighted. At 5 days he had an eye infection and we did all we could for him to heal it and did.
He is a voracious eater now and is gaining greatly. I have trained dogs all my life and have begun thinking about his special needs. I talk to him when he feeds and we have a snuggle time where I do his eye drops and I touch everywhere and assert myself as his safety net. I have made a point of letting him learn to self soothe when needed so he doesn't cry. Strangely enough his beanie baby friends do soothe him as does his suitcase...hey it ...

[UnStarvedArtist]

on 4/18/2009 You are awesome and so is your website...I will tell all my animal loving friends (that's all my friends)about your articles and the site. I just love the profiles on each animals, very cute..you do a wonderful job of showing how much they have to offer people with the friendship...blindness or any disability is just one part of who they are. Excellent helpful tip.

[starlet67]

on 4/4/2009 What a cute photo! Blind puppies need extra love!5*

[kimarkent]

on 4/2/2009 oh how precious...I mean it. Taking the extra step to take care of a dear little blind puppy....awwww. I love that in you. Good point about not sheltering him,,probably would be a natural instinct but not wise to do. Thank you for a thoughtfully written article. 5* and recommended

[thesearcher]

on 3/30/2009 Bless your Heart ! That makes my heart sing ! i can tell you love your baby very much ! 5*