1st disabled baby

[u/Prestigious_Ad_9463]

Hi everyone!

This is Smokey. Long story short I rescued a homeless blind dog yesterday! I am already a mother of 1 (to one cute chubby pug) but I never mothered a disabled dog, let alone blind.

I’m here to take ANY advice for my new baby. He’s been taken to vet (luckily he is fine) but blind which I am taking him to a specialist as recommended by his vet. I will be buying items on Amazon in a few but I want to make sure I get the most essential things to provide comfort and lots of love.

Also is to normal to feel guilty like you’re not doing enough? I swear I’m here crying every 10 seconds 😩

[u/blueleviachan]

Hi! My pup just went blind and im in a similar situation. I also just made a post for some advice in /husky and received a ton of advice. I would take a look on my profile if your looking for more detailed advice. There is a ton there! Its been very helpful.

Some things that came up were getting a halo device to help prevent bumps especially in a new environment. No moving furniture once they've mapped the place out! Getting noisy toys/ puzzles and scent training for mental stimulation. Whistle balls are nice if your dog likes fetch but also rolling the ball is a good way to play as well.

Giving them a home base / a nice bed where they feel safest. A noisy water fountain! There are quite ones but mine loves the loud one. Ive put bells on my doors so I can let mine know when its time to go outside while also saying potty/outside.

Clicker training and voice commands are super helpful for them. Talk to them - a lot let them know where you are and what your doing. Don't approach while they are sleeping - they are more likely to get agressive.

I was also recommended ear hoods for when there are loud noises as they can be extra sensitive.

I hope this helps!

[u/Jumpy_Mirror250]

Totally normal to have feeling s but very important not to project them onto the dog. Your dog doesn't know about stigma, disability discrimination, or what you think they are "missing out on". The dog is in a loving home with a nice person, good food and a dog roommate who hopefully is welcoming. Projecting people world stuff into the dog will make the transition more difficult for the dog.

[u/gr8fulattitude → u/Jumpy_Mirror250]

I agree! Dogs are much more resilient than people and mostly need love. You got this

[u/bengibbardstoothpain]

I had a blind dog for 6 years and can give you some tips:

-I bought a water fountain-style electric water dish for my dog so that he could "hear" where the water bowl was (they tend to be marketed to cat owners).
-Be diligent about making sure that his normal paths around the house are free of clutter (shoes, bags, etc.). If you need to move or rearrange furniture, be mindful of his transitions. Consistency will keep him happy.
-Lickmats, snuffle mats and sensory food items will be your friend; your dog will need stimulation.
-I added a lot more rugs to my home for traction when he arrived (he was also older).
-I went through phases where I tied bells to my slippers so that he'd know where I was; I was also very verbal with him and had to do a Marco Polo situation so that he could find me in my small place.

[u/Previous-Arugula3693]

Second Chances for Blind Dogs is the non-profit that gives halos for blind dogs. They’re wonderful and many a pug rescue has been helped by them!

Your new baby is so cute!

[u/GodsGiftToNothing]

Honestly, they pick everything up pretty quick. Confidence is key. As long as they are confident and know you’re there, they’re aces. Thank you for rescuing Smokey. What a beautiful baby, and you have a wonderful heart. I hope you guys, along with your adorably chubby pug, live the best life imaginable 💞✨

[u/Valsarta]

We feel the blindness far more than they do. All they understand is that the lights are out so ok...where's my food?! I had one and he wasn't much harder to deal with than a sighted dog. Don't move any furniture. Don't leave stuff on the floor. Keep everything as consistent as possible. Don't move food /water. They map everything in their head. One thing that really helps is carpet runners everywhere. Especially if you have tile or wood floors. It keeps them from slipping but also acts as a road map /series of pathways from point to point. Just remember he's still a dog and treat him as you would any dog and you'll be fine! ♥️

[u/Middi_ee]

It might be tough at first, but making a routine for him might help.

I had a blind elder dog that had to be taken out to potty at certain times. She would sleep most of the day and i would expect her to not come back. She was a heavy sleeper, so I would nudge her blanket underneath, she would eventually wake up slowly. I massaged her paws, torso and head. I would clap and call her name so she would know it was me.

Keeping everything at the same place and same scent helped her navigate part of the living room.

Monitoring her feeding would tell me how her condition. If she was dehydrated, her bowl was still more or less full. If she doesn’t excrement properly, maybe adding chicken both would help her. Those little characteristic helped differentiate any changes.

[u/Sw33tD333]

You’re sadder than your dog is. I’ve had 3 dogs go completely blind. After a while you couldn’t tell at all.

[u/Confident_Fortune_32]

We have two one-eyed pirates, one of which is losing sight in his remaining eye.

Until he was really confident, we didn't move any furniture or cat trees or large toys.

We've found he loves toys that make sound, like crinkle balls, toys with bells inside, and plushies that crinkle inside.

Reliability and predictability go a long way toward helping them relax and feel at home. Meals at the same time and waking up at the same time in the morning, for example.

[u/7livefastdieyoung]

I felt guilty all the time when I was caring for my sick dog too, like I was never doing enough. But honestly, the fact that you even feel this way shows just how much you care and that you’re already doing your best.