Are there any owners of blind dogs, if so how does the dog cope especially if it was not born blind and has gone blind through disease or injury.

I think they can cope with going gradually blind if they are in familiar surroundings :) I think you have a problem when you take them out of that environment. Mars our 14 3/4 yr old Lab we lost a couple of years ago was almost blind through cateracts but was fine around the house as she knew where things were especially her food bowl! :)

She did panic if she went outside and lost contact with either one of us so we kept her on alead at all times so she felt secure :)

You may find this site of some interest: http://www.blinddogs.com

Thanks admin :)

Christine, Spain.

Hello.
Whilst never owning a blind dog I do run a rescue for  labradors and have been involved with rehoming three so generally if the blindness come on slowly the dog will learn to cope gradually developing their sense of smell so they can find the way around familiar objects its important in the home and garden not to move things around  so that the dog will get used to say making his way to the doors,water bowls,bed etc..  its important on walks to go to the same walks so as the dog can be let off but know his way around. If you have another older placid dog the blind dogs lead could be clipped to the others collar in strange places.
One lab Bitch I homed  was only with me a few days she went to a local home and lived happily with the other dog and it was uncanny as when i was in the local park i could be way over the other side and she would make her way to me to say hello,it was very touching.
One of the others I homed had cataracts and couldnt see at all she was only young so we raised the money £1200 to have one eye operated on,it was all touch and go as no guarantees it would work anyway after the operation the new owners were watching her lying in the sun and a balloon blew into the garden she jumped up and followed the balloon there were tears of happiness both there and in my eyes as well.

I've had two Pomeranian's who became blind with old age.  In their own surroundings they were fine and it was funny how they did seem to adapt in other situations.  Poppy used to love running on the beach with the other dogs.

Yes it can be hard work but my two were happy.

I have a dally that is 14 at end of March and he has been going blind overthe last 2 years, its ok if it happens over time. He copes well. Still goes out for walks on his Harness but not far.

Hi, one of my dogs has gone blind over time, she`ll be 10yrs old later this yr. She`s lived here since she was 12wks so knows the place like the back of her hand & manages very well really, her memory is very good. She doesn`t like going on a lead or being kept in when the others are outside so I take her along as usual & they`ve learnt not to push her & a couple of them still try to play with her & she plays back :) Last thing of night the door gets opened & my inside ones go out on their own for a last piddle, manys the time I`ve had to get the torch & look for her cos she won`t come back, seems she has a bit of selective deafness as well!! :D I don`t move things in the house anymore & walks are done at her pace, I keep an eye on her & if she wanders too far I call her or whistle, as long as she hears me she carries on & if she doesn`t want to hear me I just watch her. Shes managed to keep her independence & is quite happy :) Downside is we`re moving to a new place in a few wks so have been taking her round it on a lead & hoping she`ll adjust.

Christine, Spain.

What about bumping into things, does this happen a lot with them or do they sense when they are near something and stop.

Yes she will bump into things, thats why I don`t change things round :) But she does everything slowly, so if she does bump into things it`s nearly always a slight bump. Saying that tho she can move fairly quick when she wants to get somewhere, I mean we live in about 15 acres or so & she`s had very few bumps considering she more or less comes & goes as she pleases :) How old is your dog Sandie & has s/he just gone blind or has it developed over time?

Christine, Spain.

Our 14 year old labrador is remarkable. She went blind two years ago due to diabetic cataracts. She still wanders around the house and comes up the stairs to the living room. We have 5 steps in the hallway to the living room and she knows exactly where they are. She walks up and down them without any guidance and she has never fallen. She rarely walks into things, she must remember her route round the house exactly. She is very careful and she does move slowly. We keep all the furniture in the same place so she doesn't get confused.

Hi Christine,
My dog is only 2, he has retinal dysplasia, he is blind in one eye and limited in the other but this is getting worse.We are being referred to another eye speciaist to see if they can save his sight with laser surgery but I am not very optimistic. He is a springer and loves to run around with his brothers and sisters across the fields, he does really well with what little sight he has. I am so worried about how he will cope if he does loose his sight.

It all depends on how you use "Stay" Christine. I only use "Stay" as a last command and not with the sit of down command. Stay, in the context I teach it just means "Don't move, I'm coming back"

My old Mandy went blind over a period of time. We left everything around the home as it had always been and I would defy anyone coming into the house to even realise she was blind! I used to walk her on the lead to the fields where she could have a good trot round off lead. When she decided she wanted to find me she would set of decisively and at that point I would rush around so that she would trot up to me. That way she never lost me so never lost confidence.

When Katy went blind it was caused by sugar cataracts after she developed diabetes. She was a totally different kettle of fish. Going blind over a short period of time she never really got used to it. She did learn "Touch signals" though, turning right if I touched her right side and left if I touched her left.

All dogs are different and you need to find what works with a particular dog. They are so good at adapting though and generally find blindness easier to deal with than us.

Best wishes, John

Hi J, sorry I didn`t explain that very well :) If she`s heading for something she`ll bump into it`s just the one word STOP! & she does, then if she`s not going the way I want her to it`s NO, THIS WAY, with me hitting the side of my leg or a clap. If I say stay or wait she sits down & waits for me :) When I say CAREFUL she`ll change direction till I say GOOD GIRL. I say those words loud & very firmly. Mind you she can be a little b*****r at night if she decides she feels like a stroll, I`ve actually followed her a couple times & when it gets to the point she`s so far ahead I can`t see her & shout her to come back I`ve seen her speed up to a good trot thats just before running & carry on pretending to be deaf!!! :D

Christine, Spain.

Sorry C. The first paragraph of my post had somehow got mixed up with another post I made at the same time on another thread (The close heelwork thread!) and the Christine refered to on there was not actually you! bet you wondered what the silly old fool was talking about this time!

Actually it sounds as if she is very well adjusted to her blindness and is not concerned about it. I think sometimes we are more upset about it that they are. :)

Best wishes, John

Hi J with my mind being in constant state of confusion & getting my words back to front it`s nice to know someone else can get mixed up :D :D :D
Yes Bonnie`s more adjusted to her blindness than I am! But she`s always been like that, nothing fazes her, bombproof, happy go lucky, independent with a mind of her own so I just try to help things along for her to stay that way for as long as possible :)

Christine, Spain.

Oh thats very sad Sandie. Well he sounds a lovely character, I really don`t see why he wouldn`t adapt :) Like the others say, it seems to be us who find it so hard to accept rather than the dogs! I`ve kept everything the same for my dog, routine/feeding times/where she`s fed etc so she knows when & what to expect. Last summer she was still swimming :) I led her down to the pool on a lead then went down the steps with her & she could still retrieve the floating dummies I use when I threw them right to her mouth & I`ll be doing the same this summer. :) He should cope & have a good life but I know it`ll be hard for you to stop worrying & feeling sad, but you will have to because don`t forget he`ll pick up on how your feeling, so try & pretend happy for his sake then one day you really will feel not so bad :)

Christine, Spain.

Thanks Christine, you are quite right Its me thats finding it hard to accept, he has not had that much sight since he was born so he may well adapt a lot better than I think. I just have visions of him laying around beacuse he cant follow the others and I dont want that to happen. I suppose its up to me to make sure he doesnt do this and keep him as active as possible.

Hi Sandie, yes it`s up to you :) He sounds a lively little feller so theres no reason why he shouldn`t be able to carry on as he is for quiet a long time. I throw mixer biscuits on the lawn & Bonnie can spend half an hour or more trying to sniff them out & I also throw the used marrow bones in the long grass & that also keeps her mind occupied trying to find them. And then she feels so good when she does & carries it round like her prized trophy for hours :D The sadness does ease, honestly. Good luck & you never know there might be some hope with the laser treatment, let us know how he gets on :)

Christine, Spain.