I have a little experience with this. As many of you know, Yvonne and I made a mad 2000 mile dash across the country at the end of June to get Ghoulie from Great Dane Friends of Ruff Love. She was blind. She IS blind. And we figured how hard could it be?
Man oh man, if we'd only known. Not that it would have made us not get Ghoulie, but I would have become smarter, faster.
I can't tell you how many times I've put a leash on the poor dog and walked right out the door, forgetting that she doesn't know where the doorway is, much less what a doorway is. Next thing you know it, BLAM! She walks right into the wall beside the door.
Or when she's on the patio, and I holler for her to come inside. Sometimes I turn around and go about my business. Then comes the BLAM! as she slams into the side of the house.
Poor dog.
All I have to say is I am getting better. We walk her a mile a day and she does great. She navigates the yard well. Understands commands. Has the run of the house. And is a regular dog.
But it wasn't easy. So I convinced my buddy Jack Kitchens to write an article about How to Walk a Blind Dog. Do me a favor and check it out. If you have some friends who have a blind dog, please pass it along. The one thing I have learned is that there is never too much good advice.
Here is the article - HOW TO WALK A BLIND DOG
Chronological Pictures from the Operation Get Ghoulie
Man oh man, if we'd only known. Not that it would have made us not get Ghoulie, but I would have become smarter, faster.
I can't tell you how many times I've put a leash on the poor dog and walked right out the door, forgetting that she doesn't know where the doorway is, much less what a doorway is. Next thing you know it, BLAM! She walks right into the wall beside the door.
Poor dog.
But it wasn't easy. So I convinced my buddy Jack Kitchens to write an article about How to Walk a Blind Dog. Do me a favor and check it out. If you have some friends who have a blind dog, please pass it along. The one thing I have learned is that there is never too much good advice.
Here is the article - HOW TO WALK A BLIND DOG
Chronological Pictures from the Operation Get Ghoulie
I have a deaf/blind dane - it can be challenging at times - the worst part is when he sits on me or slams into me :) But all things considered he does quite well!
ReplyDeleteMy Maltese has been blind 7months and the one thing I'm having trouble with now is that when we go for a walk he now.Will just stop and pull and just not move or try going another way. This behavior just started about three weeks ago. It can be dangerous trying to cross the street. Any suggestions?
ReplyDeleteIt's very hard.I can see where he/she is very scared. When crossing streets, I recommend grabbing the dog gently by the collar (not the leash) and talking to them as you cross the street. I'm always talking to mine when we walk and letting her know how good she is doing.
ReplyDelete