A question about blind dogs

Serena

<font color=navy>Not afraid of canned biscuits<br>
Joined
Aug 18, 1999
Messages
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I received emails about puppies and dogs that need homes. I just received one about a blind dog.

How would you go about taking care of a blind dog? Especially one that had never been in your home before.

See, I'm thinking the chances of this dog being adopted aren't very good. But I'm also thinking about the pluses of adopting a dog that isn't a little puppy. It's still young though.
My dog would help it, I know that already.

Any suggestions, ideas?

I'm not sure about adopting it, but thinking about the possibility.
 
You know, I had a friend who adopted a puppy who was blind, but no one realized it at the time. They noticed it later in a check up at the vet. Honestly the dog adapted quite well due to the ability to smell... which is why they didn't notice for a couple months I guess. I could ask my friend, but I wouldn't imagine it would be terribly difficult for the dog to get used to it all.

If I were allowed to have a dog ;) I probably wouldn't think twice about adopting one that was blind based on how my friend's dog did :)
 
We had a dog who went blind due to diabetes. Wouldn't be exactly the same as he was used to the house, but he did very well. I suspect if you would lead the dog around the house to show him the back door (if he has to go) and where his food and water is a few times, he would have no problems as long as you kept things in the right place.
 
I think it's more what type surroundings does your particular home provide? Young children running around, chaotic activity and lots of change? Any possibility of a move during the dog's lifetime? I think in a stable, organized environment a blind dog will adapt just fine. I've had 2 poodles who became totally blind and adapted well, however, they were always in the same home. (We just never rearranged furniture after discovering their blindness.) You're a really kind person to even consider adopting such a pet! My hat's off to you! :flower:
 

Our poodle went blind around 8 or 9 years old. The vet advised my mom not to rearrange the furniture, leave her bed, food & water in the same spots. She needed help getting down the steps outside, but could find her way back up, she just followed the fence. If your yard is not fenced, you would definitely want to do that. Our dog did fine, but she already knew the house. Good Luck with your decision, if not you, I hope someone gives it a chance.
 
Our first Weimaraner went blind due to diabetes and he didn't do well at all. I guess the fact that he was almost 11 years old didn't help matters much either. He never got used to where everything was poor thing. I'd hear him walking into things in the middle of the night, trying the find the door so he could scratch to let us know he needed to go out. It was so sad to watch so we had him put down. He had some other health problems as well. His quality of life was gone. :(

I would imagine that a younger dog would adapt easier.
 
It does get chaotic here sometimes. With girls dancing and playing and acting silly. Other times it's quiet.
My work hours are also varied.

I don't have to move furniture around. Frankly it's a pain every Christmas anyway. I have a long living room and there's really only one way the furniture fits. I have to put the loveseat in the basement to make room for the tree.

As for moving, I don't have any plans, but you never know.
 
Our dog went blind when she was about 8. She learned her way around the house really quickly. You just have to realize that anything that gets left in the path she travels will confuse her - shoes, vacuum cleaner, etc. She did well though and lived to be about 13.
 
I do have a fenced yard, but sometimes the kids or others leave the gate open.

I'm thinking that the dog would probably do better in a quieter home.
 
You would have to get him a seeing eye cat ;)
 
I've seen many blind pugs come to Alabama Pug Rescue & Adoption over the years. We have successfully found great homes for all. I thought I'd post the following... from one of our adopters... about her blind Pug Kramer. I hope it inspires others to give a chance to a disabled dog.

December 2003
This month we have Linda's story!


What is it that made me want another pug?? I was already owned by LuLu (the diva) and Sam, a border collie mix. Perhaps it was that my two grandpuggies didn’t live close by and I missed the gaggle of pugs underfoot. Perhaps it was fate that drew me to search through the Petfinders postings. I was searching for a black, female pug.

There were so many pugs available at that time…as sadly, there always are. I narrowed down my search to the southeast and looked over every photo, read every description. When I came upon the photo of Kramer, my heart skipped a beat. His face was so sweet, it seemed to leap out from the computer. Then I read the description….blind, not housebroken….oh my. Besides that, he was male and fawn. Sadly, I kept looking. For several days I would go back to his listing, look at the photo, re-read the description. I began to wonder if I had the patience to bring a blind dog into my family. The door had opened.

After several more days had passed, I sent an email to Alabama Pug Rescue and Adoption. I asked a lot of questions about Kramer, needing information. I don’t know if I was looking for a reason to stop my inquiry or a reason to continue. They answered all of my questions and gave me a little background on Kramer. He had been a backyard breeders dog and literally had lived outside in the backyard. He had been blind since birth and wasn’t potty trained – even worse, he hadn’t been loved, until he went to rescue. APRA had fostered him for several months and he became accustomed to humans and living indoors. I cried many times over his story and he touched my heart.

I broached the subject of adoption with my husband, who thought I was crazy, but agreed to welcome Kramer into our family. APRA approved the adoption and then he was ours.

We brought him home and kept him in a pen in the kitchen, since he wasn’t used to roaming about on his own. We would take him outside and walk him around for hours, but he just didn’t get the concept of ‘go potty.’ As soon as we brought him inside, placed him in the pen and walked away, he would go….and then walk in his mess. He had many, many baths those first few weeks. One day, though, lo and behold – he went potty outside! Just a quick tinkle, but he liked all of the attention he received for that small event! You could just see him swell with pride. Within days he was urinating outside. Scheduling the ‘other’ potty took more time, but I finally figured out when he was most likely to go. He also gave a big clue – he likes to frantically circle a lot before he squats!

The pen had been put away, as Kramer started woo-wooing when I would leave the room – he wanted to be with me! Happy day, happy day!! Within 2 weeks, he was no longer sleeping in his crate, he had made it into our bed. The boy can sleep like a log!

That was 3 years ago. Today, Kramer is a well-adjusted, lovable, wonderful pug. Always in a good mood, sometimes stubborn and very, VERY spoiled. He gets along with the other furkids and all humans, but there is no doubt that he is MY little man. When he hears my voice, he has to find me. Can you imagine how much that means to me? I love him with no reservations whatsoever and although I love all of my kids, he holds a special place in my heart. He is my joy and I am blessed every day by his affection.
 
We have one that has poor eyesight (process of going blind). He seems to get around quite well. The only problem is that he sometimes runs into one of us if we are walking around and he doesn't realize it. He seems to have adjusted and doesn't run into any furniture or any of the other mutts in our house.
 
Our Lab went blind at about 7-8 yrs...we weren't sure when it happened exactly but she was a rescue and I wonder if she ever saw well at all....we just thought she was a clutz! She use to run into things but I know she could see when we got here...but in retrospect I wonder how well. The vet never said anything...until we realized when her eyes went white. We were in the process of moving at the time and were staying at my mi for about 6 mos when our home was builtl...we ended up leaving her there w/ her b/c she couldn't get use to our new house. She would "go" everywhere...something she would never do before...was walking into walls...and my mil is home all day and can attend to her. Other than an occassional accident or if something gets "moved" she does fine! But from our experience change is not a good thing. They need a VERY consistant enviroment.
 
My Labs eyesight is going. She cant follow a ball or a frisbee when you throw it, but she follows things by smell.

She does have a hard time getting into my car, but she does it.
 
We have a blind Pug. He pretty much has the house and back yard memorized, but does walk into us sometimes.
 
thank you all for the advice. I think I'll have to pass on this one.
 















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