Taking your dog on a walk and enjoying the outdoors is thrilling. But what about dogs who can’t see, unfortunately? “How to walk a blind dog?“
Blind dogs rely more on their other senses to understand their surroundings, a walk gives them chances to explore and smell. In this blog, we are going to provide a step-by-step guide to do this and make your blind dog’s life happy and comfortable, so without any further ado let’s begin!
How to Walk a Blind Dog?
Taking your blind dog on a walk may seem a little difficult but let’s see what changes this will make in your dog’s life.
It will help them to understand their surroundings with the help of their other senses. This will create a positive impact as they will be less stressed about the new environments. For this walk you will need the following things:
- A harness or leash at the right length, as cosy as a hug.
- Treats to feed them on the way to keep them motivated.
- A clicker just in case.
Getting Started
Make the harness fun, let your dog sniff and explore it. Give treats and praise so they get excited to wear it.
Practice inside first, and slowly walk your dog around the house on the leash. Reward them with treats and praise when they do well. It’s like a dance where you lead and they follow your smooth moves.
The treats are little “great jobs!” telling your dog they rock at this indoor walking dance!
Remember, the walk is their time to shine, so give them treats like you’re giving high fives for being an awesome companion. Stay positive and celebratory as you both learn this new skill together.
Communication is Key!
Your dog can’t see you so hearing your voice is important for them. Speak in an exciting tone to get their tail wagging. Think of commands as secret codes between you and your dog.
“Forward” is like saying, “Let’s conquer this path together!” “Stop” is a gentle request for a pause, and “Turn” is your way of saying, “Discoveries await this way!”
Visualize your touch as a soft breeze guiding your pup through the adventure. A gentle tap says, “Hey, let’s go this way,” while a stroke reassures them, “You’re not alone; I’m right here with you.”
Think of touch as your secret handshake. Develop a unique language only you and your dog understand.
Sense of dogs
Let your dog lead the way and sniff around on walks, they are using their mighty sense of smell to explore! It’s like they are a detective following clues.
See your dog as a scientist uncovering mysteries in the scents of the neighbourhood. When they stop to sniff something, they are turning the pages in an exciting book only they can smell!
Allow them time to fully dive into all the neat smells. Understanding how important scents are to your dog will help you better enjoy your adventurous, sniffy walks together!
Instead of normal boring walks from place to place, see your time together outside as a treasure hunt for your dog’s nose! Their tail wags and happy faces with each new smell discovered make walks fun for both dog and owner.
Safety Measures
See your walk as a fun adventure for your dog! Clear the path of anything they could trip over, like rocks or sticks. It’s like rolling out a red carpet just for their paws!
- Watch for uneven sidewalks too, bumps and cracks can throw them off. Imagine your dog is a graceful dancer, and you want the ground to be as smooth as a dance floor for them.
- Say hello to people you pass! It’s a chance to share a smile and spread community spirit on your strolls.
- Also keep an eye out for distractions like other dogs, squirrels or loud trucks. Your dog is the VIP celebrity on this walk, so gently guide them if your focus wavers. The best gadgets for dog walkers can help keep your dog safe.
- Treat the walk like your dog’s special red carpet event. By removing obstacles and keeping their attention forward, you both can happily strut your stuff and make walking enjoyable!
Encourage Independence
Let your dog be the hero on walks! In areas they know well, loosen the leash a bit and let them lead at times. It allows a sense of freedom and independence.
Picture yourself as their coach, cheering them on as they confidently walk ahead. Give verbal praise like saying “You’ve got this!” to pump them up. Making them more independent will make them feel good and less stressed.
Keep safety first, but invite them to flex their abilities once comfortable. Your trust and positivity will boost their confidence on adventures where they play the superhero role of guiding your team.
Let your dog shine while staying alert. With encouragement as their sidekick, you transform your dog into a brave explorer and make walks more rewarding for both!
Rewarding After the Walk
Here is how you can celebrate your dog after the walk:
- Treats after a walk are like awarding golden coins from a treasure chest! “You did so great, here’s your prize!” Make it a little celebration[1].
- Lots of affection is also key, hugs, pets and kind words are like wrapping your dog in a warm blanket of praise and love. “I’m proud of you!”
- Make walks the best part of your dog’s day. When getting the leash, be happy and excited! It kicks off an amazing adventure together.
- And when you return, the fun continues with playtime and games – a victory lap for finishing the walk!
- Show your dog how much you enjoy walking with them. Through treats, cuddles and play, you’ll both look forward to these bonding joyful adventures even more!
Regular Practice
Be consistent with walk times, set a steady schedule, dogs thrive on routine. Regularity helps them get more relaxed and confident each time.
Celebrate all progress, big and small. It’s like nurturing a plant, praise makes their confidence bloom more with each walk.
Every dog has unique needs, pay attention. If something isn’t working, try something different. You’re a team finding your stride together!
Treats, affection, and a solid routine make walks so much more than just exercise. They become a special adventure where your best friend gets to grow and thrive!
The key is consistency, tuning into their needs, and lots of praise and support. That makes your walk (and bond)!
FAQs
❔What Is the Best Way to Approach a Blind Dog?
Remember, the welfare of the blind dog is paramount. Always ask their owner first if it’s OK to say hello, and then introduce yourself to the dog before approaching. With the dog aware of where you are, extend a hand to be sniffed. Only if the dog is relaxed and wants to be friends should you stroke them.
❔How to Walk a Blind Dog?
Slowly we moved our walks to busier and busier times to get her comfortable going on a walk at any time of the day. From the beginning, we taught Stevie important words to help guide her along the way, for example, “up” and “down” when we approached the stairs. “Left” and “right” when we need to turn.
❔Do Blind Dogs See Anything?
Dogs with low vision will usually continue to use even the faintest sense of sight to identify the outlines of objects. Completely blind dogs will use the familiar scent of a sofa or the texture of the floor to figure out which part of the home they’re in.
❔Can Dog Blindness Be Reversed?
As noted, if your dog becomes blind, they may not regain their sight. Even if the cause of your dog’s blindness is reversible, such as cataracts, you should be prepared for the possibility that your dog will remain blind or may lose their vision again. However, dogs can live full, happy lives without vision.
❔Can Blind Dogs See With Their Nose?
The findings of the study appear to suggest that a dog’s smell and vision are connected in a way which implies that they may use scent to work out where things are. This may be why certain blind dogs can play fetch even though they can’t visually see the ball.
Conclusion
In conclusion “How to walk a blind dog?” Taking a walk with your dog is a great bonding experience.
Take good care of your dog when you are on the trail. Reward their progress with treats and praise. Consistency and positive connection are important, they will get your dog to feel safe and comfortable. Consider how much do dog walkers charge if you need some extra help.
Lastly, allow your dog to stop and smell those flowers ( maybe you do too!)
Reference:
- Blind Dog Rescue UK – Caring for a blind dog. (n.d.). Blind Dog Rescue UK.
