Hi everyone, am after some advice. We have a 5 year old cocker, who sadly , is loosing his sight. He also suffers with skin problems which are genetic (and is on anti-biotics for life- the only treatment the vet has been able to control the flair ups with- after many trials ie steroids, biopsies, skin specialists...:rolleyes:) He is a happy, sociable dog- even with all his ailments. We have toyed with the idea of a new pup, but am worried that this may have a negative effect on our current dog. He hates going for walks, due to bumping things and sores between his toes, was hoping that having another dog along ( even for just short walks) may encourage him. What do you think, should we or  do you think it would be wrong to have a new pup with all his ailments? Thank you.

I to have a blind spaniel - springer to be exact.  She is 15 years old now, totally blind, and gets on very well with the other two dogs.  She was starting to loose her vision when we introduced one dog.  The dog we introduced was a calm one (although a rareity in the breed she was lol) so they get on good.

The other one was introduced about a year ago, when my spaniel was completely blind.  The pup was NEVER allowed near the spaniel, unless very controled on leash. 

The three live together quite peacefully, and we rarely have problems (other than the blind dog stepping or jumping on the min pins by mistake).

You gotta be careful, and introduce the new pup slowly.  You do not want to put them together and "let them be".  Have the new pup on leash at all times, when around the blind dog.  Teach the pup how you want it to behave, and it will be a ok thing.

When I read your story, I thought, ok this could be my life written on here lol, as it is so similar to my situation a year ago, and then 4 years before that. 

Good luck

No-one can say whether two dogs will gel, even with good eye sight it is hit and miss, if your Cocker is a doggy dog which most are then I'm sure he will enjoy company, most Spaniels thrive on company and the age gap between them is brilliant.

My mum's terrier cross who lives with quite a few Cockers is gradually going blind and in a way the other dogs help her she still walks, runs and plays with them, she just can't see very well from a distance but is happy to be with a pack of dogs, whether it is scent, vibration and partial sight but she is perfectly ok to do everything the other dogs do and she has always been the mothering dog, some of my mum's bitches wait for her on walks now too so she is well taken care of by humans and dogs.

Your Cocker should be very happy and when the pup is older hopefully it will also be a big help to your dog now, as long as you give plenty of time outs and keep a watchful eye as with anyone introducing a pup to an older dog, just treat him as a normal dog and let him do whatever he feels capable of, and hopefully he will also enjoy his walks more with company too. :-)  Though remember to give pup seperate training walks also.

I have a houseful of dogs, the eldest being my 15 year old Toy Poodle.  Every dog sits salivating in the kitchen as she is fed - blind or not, she sure knows food time, and where it's prepared.  She is fed first, and the rest know they are not allowed to even sniff at her bowl.  As new puppies are introduced to the household, they will often try their luck, and she threatens them very quickly.  I allow her to put them in their place.  I do have other toy breeds, but I cheat really, because my Beardies and Border Collie boy are well trained, and the little ones do tend to pick up on the required behaviour.  It even helps with toilet training!  They follow a big guy outside, and squat beside him!  Misty does tend to walk into other dogs, but of course, it's always their fault, for being in her way!  She cusses them, they accept it, and I get no fights.  If one of them thinks they are brave enough to get bolshey, I just remind them that if there's any growling to be done, then I'LL DO IT!!  I think you'll allow them to find their own way, and things will get better from there.  Good Luck.

I have a houseful of dogs, the eldest being my 15 year old Toy Poodle.  Every dog sits salivating in the kitchen as she is fed - blind or not, she sure knows food time, and where it's prepared.  She is fed first, and the rest know they are not allowed to even sniff at her bowl.  As new puppies are introduced to the household, they will often try their luck, and she threatens them very quickly.  I allow her to put them in their place.  I do have other toy breeds, but I cheat really, because my Beardies and Border Collie boy are well trained, and the little ones do tend to pick up on the required behaviour.  It even helps with toilet training!  They follow a big guy outside, and squat beside him!  Misty does tend to walk into other dogs, but of course, it's always their fault, for being in her way!  She cusses them, they accept it, and I get no fights.  If one of them thinks they are brave enough to get bolshey, I just remind them that if there's any growling to be done, then I'LL DO IT!!  I think you'll allow them to find their own way, and things will get better from there.  Good Luck.

I have a houseful of dogs, the eldest being my 15 year old Toy Poodle.  Every dog sits salivating in the kitchen as she is fed - blind or not, she sure knows food time, and where it's prepared.  She is fed first, and the rest know they are not allowed to even sniff at her bowl.  As new puppies are introduced to the household, they will often try their luck, and she threatens them very quickly.  I allow her to put them in their place.  I do have other toy breeds, but I cheat really, because my Beardies and Border Collie boy are well trained, and the little ones do tend to pick up on the required behaviour.  It even helps with toilet training!  They follow a big guy outside, and squat beside him!  Misty does tend to walk into other dogs, but of course, it's always their fault, for being in her way!  She cusses them, they accept it, and I get no fights.  If one of them thinks they are brave enough to get bolshey, I just remind them that if there's any growling to be done, then I'LL DO IT!!  I think you'll allow them to find their own way, and things will get better from there.  Good Luck.