[morgansacre]

Hi,

As some of you know Archie, my nearly 21mth old Pug, is nearly blind. He is brilliant with everything to do with his daily activities....even walking on a lead has been mastered

But the one thing he does, in fact always has done is walk behind us....close enough that he runs into us or we keep hitting him under the chin with the heels of our shoes we have tried stopping, but he collides with us....we have tried moving a little faster, but he runs to keep up.....we have tried stepping to one side, but again he runs over back to his position again we even tried going slower, but that doesn't help either, as he walks slower and his face has to touch the back of your leg.

I hate hitting him, and you can hear the clunk as his jaw slams shut, he has bit his tongue on numerous occasions, but he wont stop.

Walking him on a lead gives the same results, even pulling him to one side slightly, he just goes back. Obviously he feels safe and comfortable this way, but he is always tripping us up and getting injured himself....so please help, what can we do?

Is this what blind dogs do?

The only time he runs ahead is when he's coming inside, or its dinner time. Then he runs and watch out if anything is in the way, and I mean anything, human, animal, object....he just smacks into it. He now has a clear path from the back door to his bowl, but I cant explain the rampaging bull syndrome to the cats They just wont listen

Lynn

[Z-girls rock]

nothing to add to help. But awww, poor little guy. My old dog went blind in the end but luckily he was tall enough to stay out of heel range. Good luck with Archie

[Zarlias]

I cant explain the rampaging bull syndrome to the cats They just wont listen

I'm really sorry I can't offer you any advice, but this made me lol

Cat Bowling ftw

Scritches to Archie

[*Spikey*]

One of my vet colleagues has a suggestion that might work. I was actually meaning to post it in Wizard's thread, but its applicable to Archie as well.

Get some long cable ties, and attach them to his collar so they poke out, a bit like a cat's whiskers. This will give him some warning that something is really close.

Oh, and she also suggested some scent trails to help him move through the safe zones of the house. So, for example, a trail of lavender from back door to crate, and to food bowls.

This is a pic of a blind doggy and his collar to get you the general idea.

[morgansacre]

Reminds me of spider legs sticking out... yeah I get it, similar to the the sensors you have on cars. The only problem is Archie doesn't wear a collar, I'm worried his collar will get caught on something.

The pathway he has made around the place is very traveled, he knows exactly where everything is. We have left a wide space for him and he's really good with it. Having exceptional hearing and smell helps. Also Shadow is very good with him and will walk around the place with him almost clued to her side, when she stops or jumps up on her bed, which is on top of his crate, he sits or lays down and waits, if she doesn't come back to him he goes inside the crate and goes to sleep, one above and one below....it's so cute.

Lynn

[*Spikey*]

I'll have some further chats about it. She says they have a few blind dogs come through the clinic, so may have a couple more suggestions to pass on. The spider legs will work when he's walking on a lead (collar or harness, you can still decorate them), but definitely you need something else for when he's not got a collar on.

[morgansacre]

Thank you Spikey,

I'll wait to hear back

Lynn

[*Spikey*]

I have had a thought...

Is it possible to put a teeny bit of citronella on the heels of your shoes? Not on the bottom - and just the barest swipe... Its not a doggy friendly smell, so might act as a warning of sorts. I won't see vet friend for a week or two, but I will definitely keep Archie in mind.

[beansidhe]

Is he that close to you becuase he is using you as his eye?
By touching you, you are effectively guiding him through the house.

Do you have another dog? Maybe another dog could learn to be his eyes for him.
Or maybe you could take to wearing an anklet with a bell on it, or noisy shoes so he can hear you and follow you that way.

I dont know really.....it must be hard. Was he born that way?

[beansidhe]

I just did a quick google search and there is heaps of info on helping a blind dog.
http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/livi...-blind-dog.html

This site had some really good tips on it. Definately worth a read
http://www.blinddogs.net/blind_dog_tips.html