Happy 10th Anniversary!

Treasure, the girl who started it all!

The White Dog Blog is officially TEN (10) years old today!  

I started this blog shortly after I adopted Treasure, my blind deaf double merle sheltie.  At that time, there was barely any information available to people about how to communicate and live with dogs that were both blind and deaf.  This blog became one of only a few resources.  The others offered only a page of information and gave some tips but nothing practical about daily life. 

If you'd like to read our very first blog post, you can find it here: That Poor Dog!

Only ten years ago, dogs that were born both blind and deaf were euthanized most of the time.  Rescues, shelters, and others had no idea that blind deaf dogs were capable of living and enjoying happy lives, or that they were trainable.  

We set out to disprove many myths and misunderstandings.  We provided a complete picture of what living with a blind deaf dog could be like.  And we started ripples of change - change in people's perspectives, change for a blind deaf dog's future, change in breeding practices.  

This blog started as a way to offer people accurate and positive information about rescuing, living with, and training blind deaf dogs.  It has become the go-to resource for people worldwide about double merles, blind, deaf and blind deaf dogs.  And while this has been the focus of the White Dog Blog, many others follow the blog for great information about dogs in general. 

Blind and/or deaf dogs are just like other dogs (they just can't see or hear) and positive teaching techniques, information about behavior, and living life in general with dogs, all applies to them as well.  There are many posts on the White Dog Blog that pertain to all dogs - no matter what breed, age, or their abilities.

The response to this blog has been tremendous and word continues to spread as more people adopt blind and/or deaf dogs and are looking for a resource to get them started on their journey.  My sincere appreciation to all who regularly refer others to the blog for current, accurate and positive information.  With your help, many more dogs with varying abilities will find loving, forever homes because their humans will know how and where to get started. 

The blog is now followed by dog rescues, shelters, foster homes, adoptive homes, breeders, dog walkers and sitters, trainers, groomers, veterinarians, behaviorists, potential adopters, those who live with and love dogs, and has a worldwide following.  

We have helped many dogs to find homes over the past 10 years, working with rescues, shelters, fosters, and most importantly, encouraging potential and new adopters.  The blog has led to two books being published about blind and/or deaf dogs.  And, the blog allows my dogs' many fans to keep up with their antics through updates and pictures. 

If you'd like an easy-to-use blog reference guide that will allow you to find topics of posts more easily, follow this link: Easy Blog Reference Guide.  

Thank you everyone for a great ten years!  

Happy Anniversary White Dog Blog!  

Blind Dogs and Fear Aggression

Some dogs that are going blind begin showing behaviors like growling, snapping, or biting.  This is very disturbing to the dog's family.  Suddenly the dog they thought they knew is acting very uncharacteristically.

The dog may be snapping at family members or other animals in the home.  If these behaviors are not understood and dealt with in the proper ways, they can escalate.

There is a period of transition when a dog is losing or has lost her sight.  How long this transition lasts is dependent upon the individual situation.  There are some things we can do to help a blind dog adjust while also keeping everyone safe.

Realize the Reason

If you can imagine for a moment that your vision is deteriorating or has suddenly disappeared, I'm sure you would be feeling a bit scared and uncertain.  As your dog is becoming blind, her world is feeling scary and uncertain now too.

There is no one specific way of becoming blind, so it's difficult to know for sure what your dog is seeing or not seeing in most cases.  But we can be sure that your dog's way of experiencing the world is changing drastically.   What she once thought was normal and made sense to her no longer feels that way.

If she's in the process of losing her vision, she may still be able to see, but what she sees may no longer make sense to her.  What she sees may be blurry, distorted, or have large areas of darkness within her line of sight.  She may be able to see light and dark contrast, or she may not.  Bright light may be painful to her or completely white out anything she may still be able to see in the shade.  Her depth perception may be changing.  She may not know how far down a step is or how close something is to her.

Perhaps your dog has become blind very suddenly.  This would be similar to the power going out and you trying to navigate in complete darkness.  Most of us would run into things, stub our toe, be startled by someone else running into us, knock things off the table, etc.  It's very disorienting to suddenly be in darkness.

As you can imagine, these changes are confusing to your dog.  She's going to be scared and unsure about her surroundings and what's going on around her.

When dogs are not feeling safe and secure, they may begin to show behaviors that people often interpret as aggressive - growling, snapping, and biting.  Your dog is not being mean or bad if she shows these behaviors.  She's telling you in the only way she knows how that she is not feeling safe.  She has needs that aren't being met, and she's doing what she knows how to do to cope in that moment.

If your dog doesn't feel safe in her environment because she's perceiving it differently now that she's losing her sight, she will be on edge and more alert to everything going on around her.  While she's on edge, anything else that happens to her, or anyone who approaches her, may scare her even more and feel like a potential threat to her safety and well-being.

When you are feeling your way around that dark room when the electricity goes out and you hear a noise, you are going to be much more startled by it than you would be in the daylight.  Your senses are on higher alert as you are feeling your way around the room, so you will be more startled by noises or unexpected bumps than you would be if you were feeling secure in your environment.

When your dog is in her environment but things don't look right to her, she will be more easily startled as well.  When a dog is startled, she may feel unsafe and will attempt to keep whatever has startled her or feels threatening away from her.  She does this by growling - that is how a dog says "stay away."  When that threat keeps its distance or goes away, the dog feels safer.  A growl is her way of trying to feel safe by creating distance around her.

If the dog still doesn't feel safe, or if the threat continues to affect her, she will escalate her growl to a snap and perhaps a bite in the direction of the threat.  Again, she's trying to create safety for herself.  She's not trying to be mean.  She's protecting herself from something she doesn't feel good about.

Learn the Signs

Your dog will show certain behaviors when she is feeling unsure.  Learn the signs of uncertainty so you can help your dog before she feels that she needs to growl or snap.

You may notice your dog staying in one place a lot of the time.  This can be due to uncertainty.  She may be afraid to move because of the unknown (what she can no longer see).  She may not know what's in front of her or where she is in the room.  She may feel safer staying in one spot than venturing out to move around freely.  Some dogs look like they are sleeping a lot, but if you watch, you will see that they are awake.

You may notice her moving very slowly if she does move around.  This is a sign that while she is wanting to move around, she's still not feeling very safe in her environment.  She may avoid being touched or doing things that she used to like to do - going for a walk, playing, eating or drinking.  You might notice her turning her head or body away from you or from something you're trying to engage her with.

There are many good resources that can help you learn to recognize signs of stress and fear in dogs.  Some of these signs are very subtle, but they are important ways in which your dog is communicating with you.

When you notice the subtle signs that your dog is not feeling comfortable, you are in a position to do something to help her.  Helping her to feel safer when she's showing these little signs will build her trust in you, and hopefully prevent her from feeling she needs to protect herself by growling or biting.

How to Help

What your dog needs now more than anything is for you to create an environment and routine where she feels safe.  You may know that she's safe and there's nothing that can hurt her, but until she also feels safe within herself, that feeling of uncertainty and being on edge is not going to go away.  Look at things from her perspective as much as you can.  Help create that space where she truly feels safe, and she won't feel the need to protect herself anymore.

Keep your dog's space and routine as consistent as possible.  She will feel safer knowing where she is, where the furniture and other objects are, and what is coming up next in her day.  Begin to guide her gently to help her learn new ways of navigating her environment.

Some dogs prefer a smaller area to navigate as they transition to losing their sight.  This usually isn't forever, but blocking off a room or even part of a room for your dog may help her feel safer.  She will feel more contained and will only need to map out and experience a small area and not the whole house or yard all at once, which might feel overwhelming.

Dogs that can hear will appreciate being notified of things happening in their environment with verbal cues and sounds.  Speak when you come into the room and let her know when you are leaving the room.  This can be as simple as saying "Hello, Penny" when you enter the room, and "I'll be back" when you leave.

If your dog is also deaf, teach touch cues and just touch base with your dog when you enter the room and leave.  If your dog is unsure of being touched at this point, you can gently toss a treat to her so it lands near her and touches her lightly.  This will help her be aware of you being in her space.

Take time to condition your dog that touch and being surprised are good things.  If you've taught this previously, this is the perfect time to begin to practice it again as a refresher.  It's also a great time to teach your dog a cue that means you're going to touch her now.  Use a verbal cue for dogs that can hear.  It may be enough for you to ask her if she'd like to be pet now before you touch her, or your dog may prefer you adding a name for various body parts that you're going to touch - would you like a belly rub?  I'm going to wipe your feet now.  How about an ear rub?

This allows your dog time to prepare herself for your touch instead of your hand just plunking down on her body.  Knowing what's coming allows a dog to feel safer with what's going to happen.  Tell your dog throughout the day what you're about to do - put a leash on, fill the water bowl, etc.  She will learn through repetition.  Remember, she used to get this information by watching you.  But she can't see now, so you can give her this information in another way.

Many blind dogs don't like to be bumped into or awakened suddenly.  If there are other animals or young children in the home, closely supervise them.  Even if your dog has been fine with them in the past, remember that now she is losing the ability to gather information visually.  She won't see them approaching her, and it can be scary to be grabbed or bumped into suddenly if you don't know it's coming.

You can give your dog advance information cues to let her know that the baby is nearby or the cat is approaching her so she's not startled with them suddenly being close or touching her.  It's also important to give your dog alone time without interruptions when she can relax and sleep soundly.  Sleep is important to all of us.  It is important especially during this time of transition that you create a safe place for your dog to get uninterrupted sleep. 

Dogs that are deaf and are losing their sight can be given informational cues through touches on different parts of their bodies.  Take the time to condition touch as a good thing first.  If you try to add touch cues before your dog feels safe, you may trigger behaviors such as growling or snapping.  Always pay attention to your dog's body language and what she's communicating to you.  Don't be afraid to hire a positive reinforcement based trainer to help you through the transition if needed.

Some dogs are more startled and concerned about noises as they lose their sight.  Normally a dog would hear a noise and then look to see what it was and where it was coming from.  A dog hearing a noise but not knowing where it's coming from or what's happening can feel uneasy.  This can lead to feelings of anxiety.

Give your dog information about noises in her environment.  If you use the same words and a calm tone each time, she will begin to recognize that the noise is something that happens regularly and is not something that you're concerned about.  Calming music or a white noise machine can help to mask noises during the day or night that your dog may be concerned about.

Other Resources

Here are some other related resources you may find helpful:

Learning a New Way to Communicate 

Encouraging Play and Activity with Newly Blind Dogs

Conditioning Touch

Signs of Stress

Tips for Stress Reduction




**For more information about blind and/or deaf dogs, visit my website at www.yourinnerdog.com  You will find articles, books, online classes and resources there to assist you!  To subscribe to this blog and receive emails as each new post is published, please scroll to the blog header above and add your email address!**

A Day in the Life ... Vinny

Most of Vinny's fans see him when he's in public - doing demos, therapy visits, or doing dog sports.  Today we're going to share with you the nitty gritty of his day to day life at home - what is it really like to live with a blind and deaf dog who doesn't know any better?  Who better to tell you, than Vinny himself?!

"Sometimes I sleep on the big bed with Mom, but other times I sleep in my dog bed on the floor.  I always try to keep Mom guessing, so there's really no pattern to my choice, although I do like to get on the big bed to cuddle most nights while Mom reads her book or writes.

When she starts to move around in the morning, I know it's time to get up!  I give her kisses and try to play with her, even when she wants to sleep more.  Sometimes I wait for her to let me know that my dog friends are not on the floor by the bed so I can jump off.  Usually I can tell by smelling, but sometimes it smells like they might still be there.  But if Mom tells me to jump off then I know the coast is clear.  It's rude to jump down on top of my dog friends, so I always try to be careful since I can't see them there.

Mom takes us outside to take care of our business.  I wait by the door until she opens it and we have a special way we go through together, so I don't hit my nose on the doorway.  At the top of the stairs, I pause for just a moment to find the top step. Then away I go!  Mom sometimes tries to slow me down if I'm too fast.  I've been known to try to jump down the stairs in my excitement - but Mom says this is a problem since I can't see just how far I have left to jump! 

When I walk (or run) on the stairs, I know exactly how many steps I have to go up or down in my house.  I do the steps many times every day.  Mom says I count them. 

Then it's playtime!  I bring my toys to Mom and convince her to play with me.  We have a little game, but it's never long enough since she has to get in the shower and get ready for work.  I try to get her to play just a little longer with me every day, but she always has to get ready.  I love my toys and playing with my Mom.  So, instead, while she gets ready, I play with my dog friends and we bark and wrestle and run into things.

Then we all get breakfast.  I enjoy eating from my food puzzle toys most of all.  I like to pick them up and toss them on the floor so all the food comes out!  Sometimes Mom will give me a box with my breakfast inside and let me tear it up.  That's fun too!

When Mom goes to work, I nap most of the day.  I have favorite toys and bones, and my dog friends, but mostly we nap or chew our bones and toys.

If Mom doesn't go to work, there are all sorts of fun things we may do.  It might be a grooming day - which is not usually my favorite, but I get treats and lots of fun playtime afterwards, so I put up with it.  We may have a fun class to go to where I can meet more of my friends and learn fun stuff.   We might go on a therapy visit to meet our friends there and help people smile.

If we go somewhere in the car, I know to put my front feet up and wait.  Mom will take off my leash and then boost me into the van the rest of the way.  She taught me not to jump all the way in, because often there is a crate door or some other obstacle in the way that I would hit my nose on.  She takes good care to look out for me.  I put my front feet in, and when she's ready and the path is clear, she boosts me in the rest of the way.

More playtime is always good!  I like to play tug games with Mom.  I shake my toys and I like toys that crinkle.  I can feel them crunch in my mouth when I play with them.  I also like to catch.  I give my Mom the toy and then I wait - paying attention to the sky.  I know my toy is going to come dropping out of the sky, so I pay attention so I can catch it when it does!  I'm pretty good at catching! 

And walks are fun too!  Sometimes I go on walks with my other dog friends.  Sometimes I go on walks on a long leash so I can run and smell all the amazing things that dogs love!  Mom might even hide some treats along our path for me to find.  I'm really good at smelling and finding them all!

We have training time when Mom and I practice our lessons.  There's always treats and playtime mixed in to these lessons.  Mom uses different touches to let me know what we're going to work on.  I pay close attention so I can remember which touch means which exercise.

There's always nap time in the day again somewhere - after all, I do need my beauty sleep.  Mom works on her computer sometimes and I sleep by her feet so I can easily tell when she's done and gets up to take a break.  I can feel her feet move, so I know I better get up.  She might be going to the treat cupboard, after all.

Speaking of snacks, Mom likes to have a snack when she is writing, and when I smell one of her snacks, I ask very politely if I may also have a bite of her snack.  I stick my nose up very close and take a big smell to make sure it's something that I might like.  Mom knows I won't try to take any.  Then if the smell passes my inspection, I sit politely next to her leg and ask her for a bit like Lassie would.  Because, I am a collie too, of course!  I place one paw very gently on her knee while I'm sitting and I wait.  Sure enough, here comes a little bite for me!

At bedtime, I usually climb into bed and cuddle with Mom until she's ready to go to sleep.  Then I will decide if I want to get down and go to my bed, or stay on the big bed.  I like to sleep very close and touching Mom so I can know that she's alright if I wake up during the night.  Sometimes I sleep so closely that she keeps rolling to the edge of the bed, and then she has to wake me up to move me over a bit.

I have a really good and active life.  Most days are not the same as the day before, which I think is something called enrichment.  Whatever it is, I like it!"

**For more information about blind and/or deaf dogs, visit my website at www.yourinnerdog.com  You will find articles, books, online classes and resources there to assist you!  To subscribe to this blog and receive emails as each new post is published, please scroll to the blog header above and add your email address!**

Helping the Newly Adopted Dog

There is so much excitement when we adopt a new dog and bring her home!  We hold a picture of expectation in our minds of all the things we're going to do together.  It's important to remember that these expectations belong to us, not necessarily to our new dog.  It can take time for a new dog to adjust to a new family.

I always try to be mindful when bringing a new dog into my household, that everything is new to her - the people, the other animals, the house and environment, the routine, my rules and expectations, perhaps even the food and the noises, sights, and smells.  I may even handle the dog in a way that is unfamiliar to her.

How would I feel going to live in someone's home that I didn't know?  I would appreciate having some time to get to know the family there, their routine, and what is normal in that environment.  Our dogs need the same.

To make this transition into a new home as smooth and low-stress as possible, there are things that every newly adopted dog needs.

Trust and Feeling Safe

Every dog needs to feel safe in its environment before it can feel at home.  A dog that doesn't feel safe will have a difficult time learning the rules and routines in a new place.  Dogs that don't feel safe may become reactive or may even growl or snap out of fear and uncertainty.  These are certainly things we want to avoid.

Prior to bringing a dog home, take a look around.  You will want to dog proof your home and yard as much as possible - moving things that could be dangerous or that you don't want chewed, broken, etc.

Think of your new dog as a guest coming into your house.  What else can you do to make this dog's stay most comfortable?

Is there a nice quiet place for the dog to rest when it's feeling overwhelmed and needs a break?  Will it have its own place to eat and drink in case it doesn't want to share space with your other dogs at first?  Are there stress-reduction tools you can put into place?

Here is a post about stress-reduction tools and techniques: https://your-inner-dog.blogspot.com/2014/04/stress-part-3.html

The most important thing you can do when bringing a new dog home is to earn its trust.  Dogs will trust you when they feel safe with you.  Doing the things in this post can help you to build trust, but first and foremost always think about whether the dog feels safe or not.  This will help you decide what to do or not do.

If the dog feels safe, it can begin to trust.  If it doesn't feel safe, it can't learn to trust and it won't be able to relax.  Moving into your home is a huge transition for your dog, no matter what her history is.  Even a dog coming from a loving home environment will be stressed.  Everything has changed for her.  She needs to know that she can trust you to keep her safe at all costs.

Time

Dogs need time to adjust.  We are excited to have a new family member, but our new dog doesn't want to meet the whole extended family and all your friends right away.  Allow your dog time to get to know you and your home before adding a lot of anything new.

Training classes can wait a few weeks or more.  Teaching manners can begin on day one at home, but formal training sessions should wait until you know the dog is settled and has had time to relax and trust you.  A dog that feels safe and stress-free will learn faster and easier than one that doesn't.

There is no easy answer as to how long each dog needs.  This is a very individual thing.  The safer the dog feels and the more time you can give her to relax into this new life, the faster this process will go.  Some dogs will need a couple of weeks, while others may need a couple of months, or somewhere in between.

Learn to read dog body language so you can see signs of stress.  If you are seeing signs of stress, the dog needs more time to settle in, and may need some help to be able to relax.

Some signs of stress in dogs:  https://your-inner-dog.blogspot.com/2014/04/stress-part-2.html

Sleep

We all need uninterrupted sleep to deal with stress and change, and our dogs do too.  Allow plenty of time for sleep in your new dog's schedule.  You may be surprised at how much she sleeps those first couple of weeks.

Try to provide places for her to sleep where she won't be constantly interrupted by people, animals, noises, and commotion.  Calming music may help dogs that can hear.  There is music specifically created to help calm dogs, or classical type music will also do.  Music can also drown out some new background noises that may cause your dog to wake up often because she doesn't yet know those are usual sounds in her new home.

Dogs enjoy being part of a group, and allowing your new dog to sleep in the same room as you can help with bonding.  Many people want to put a new dog in a crate at night until it can be trusted loose in the home.  Some dogs will be fine in a crate by your bed or in the bedroom.  Others will be upset being confined.  You can also use an ex pen to create a larger safe area in the bedroom that doesn't feel as confining for the dog until you have a chance to teach her to feel safe in a crate.

Allowing her to cry and bark herself to sleep is not going to create that trust you're trying so hard to develop.  If the dog is not already comfortable in a crate, please don't expect her to get a relaxed night sleep in one.  Teaching about a crate can take time.  Being confined is very stressful for some dogs.

Crate training is important, but please do it gradually.  Ignoring a dog that is obviously stressed in a crate only creates a dog with more stress about the crate, not one who knows how to relax and nap in one.

Keep Things Low Key

Keep things low key for the first few weeks.  If you must have guests during this time, please don't have guests for the first couple of days.  After that keep guests to one new person a day for another week.  Remember that you want your dog to learn to trust you and that you are her new person.  Too many new people can overwhelm some dogs and cause anxiety. 

The same holds true for taking your new dog on walks.  Keep walks calm.  The first day or two, confine walks to the area right around your home.  Explore the yard together.  Be leisurely and allow your dog to sniff on a long leash as she feels comfortable.  As you begin to venture out away from home, try to go at times when the area will be quiet with only a few people to meet and not a lot of traffic.  Build up slowly.

You don't know how your new dog will react to surprises, or to things that you think are normal but your dog may not know about yet.  By staying close to home and going at quieter times, you have the ability to get home quickly if your dog gets overwhelmed or becomes difficult to manage.

Walking is great exercise for those first few weeks, especially if paired with lots of opportunity to sniff and explore.  Playing wild and crazy fetch games may be fun for you, and you may think the new dog enjoys them as well, but this will not help your dog to relax and be low-stress as she settles in.

Arousal of any kind is stressful.  A dog that is already relaxed and settled can play fast fetch games without too much concern, as long as the game is not allowed to continue for too long and the dog doesn't become obsessive.  But a newly adopted dog is not yet relaxed, so save those games for a while.

Providing calm enrichment activities can be a great addition to sniffing walks.  Food puzzle toys, scatter feeding, licki mats, etc. are all good choices.  If using puzzle toys, choose very easy ones at first.  Many dogs have not experienced working to get food out of toys and will become frustrated if the puzzle is too hard.

I find a stuffed Kong is a good toy to start with.  I put the dog's meal into a Kong toy.  I don't freeze it at this stage.  I want the food to be easy for the dog to lick out.

Scatter feeding means sprinkling the food around an area for the dog to sniff out and find.  Start with sprinkling food around the kitchen floor.  You can also try this out in the grass by letting the dog see you putting the food out first.  Snuffle mats are also a good way to do this - again, start easy, letting the dog see you hiding the food.

More about enrichment: https://your-inner-dog.blogspot.com/2017/08/benefits-of-enrichment.html

Predictability

A consistent routine and handling will go a long way toward teaching your dog what the rules and expectations are.  A routine will help set up housetraining right away.  A dog that knows when it will go outside, be fed, get its walk, go to bed, etc., will settle in more quickly than one who is always guessing.  Routine and consistently = predictability = trust!

Blind and Deaf

Of course, with all of the above, dogs that are blind will need extra help feeling safe and learning the routes to all the important places in the home.  Guide your dog for several weeks until she starts to show you she is learning the lay of the land.  Stay close and help her as needed.  This builds trust and a feeling of being safe.  Many blind dogs do better with a smaller area of the house at a time, instead of having run of the entire new house and yard.  As they feel comfortable, you can expand that area for them.

Deaf dogs will need special care that they aren't startled by sudden touch or woken up suddenly.  This can be very stressful for them if they haven't been previously taught to associate these with something good.  Try to create spaces away from activity and give the deaf dog time in those spaces to get that much-needed uninterrupted sleep.

Be sure to have safety measures in place at doors to the outside, steps, etc.  You certainly don't want a new blind and/or deaf dog sneaking out the door before she really knows you and you know her.  Having a gate across doorways will give you peace of mind.  Gates are great tools for creating safe places.

Some blind and/or deaf dogs may not feel safe being reached for by someone they don't know, or touched unexpectedly.  This is something that you can teach, but for this time while your dog is getting settled, you may want to allow her to drag a light piece of clothesline or leash when you are home and supervising. This will allow you to easily pick up the end of the line to guide the dog where you want her to go without reaching suddenly for her collar or touching her when she's not expecting it.  Remember, you want to build trust.

Don't leave this line on the dog when you're not home or supervising, as it may get caught on obstacles or tangled around the dog's leg.  Not all dogs will need this, but it is a useful tool to use with some.

**For more information about blind and/or deaf dogs, visit my website at www.yourinnerdog.com  You will find articles, books, online classes and resources there to assist you!  To subscribe to this blog and receive emails as each new post is published, please scroll to the blog header above and add your email address!**

Why Teach Tricks?

I love to teach tricks to my dogs!  I especially support teaching tricks to dogs that may be differently-abled.  Many dogs, no matter what their abilities, spend the majority of their week lounging around at home being bored while their human goes to work or school.  

Tricks are a fun activity that can be done anytime, anywhere.  When I get home from work I don't always have the time, energy, or daylight hours left to go out and give my dog a lot of exercise or training.  Sometimes I just want to sit back in my chair in front of the TV.  

I do enjoy giving my dogs treats, and it's very simple to ask for or teach a new trick before they get a treat.  I can spend a moment during the commercials doing a couple tricks.  My dog has fun, and I have fun.  It gives me a chance to turn all my focus to my dog.  Dogs love our undivided attention!  

Tricks can be great for helping to keep dogs in shape (and people too depending on the trick!).  Dogs use various parts of their bodies in new ways when doing tricks. This can help to keep their muscles strong and healthy.  Of course, they still need other types of exercise, but tricks can certainly be a part of any fitness program.

Tricks have increased my dogs' confidence.  They aren't afraid to try new things or to use their bodies in different ways, because I've taught them many tricks and have always encouraged them and set them up for success.  

I've not yet met a dog that wasn't able to learn tricks - this is one of my favorite parts!  We can adapt tricks to any variety of abilities!  Dogs missing limbs can learn tricks.  Dogs without hearing or sight can learn tricks.  Dogs that have balance or coordination concerns can learn tricks!  The sky is the limit when it comes to teaching tricks!

If you haven't taught your dog any tricks, you may want to give it a try!  It's a lot of fun!  I offer online classes for beginner and intermediate level tricks, and I can witness titles through DMWYD if you're interested (for all levels).  Find classes here: https://uniquely-paws-able.teachable.com/

(This slide is from a presentation I did for TriDex about including blind and deaf dogs in trick training and beyond!)

**For more information about blind and/or deaf dogs, visit my website at www.yourinnerdog.com  You will find articles, books, online classes and resources there to assist you!  To subscribe to this blog and receive emails as each new post is published, please scroll to the blog header above and add your email address!**

Ways to Appreciate More Treats!

Vinny says:

February 23rd - It's International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day!  What a GREAT day!  I really appreciate dog biscuits every day, but having a special day means that my person will have a wonderful reminder to let me have even more of them!

So I started to think about more ways that I can get (and appreciate) more dog biscuits!

Do more tricks!

What about puppy dog eyes and an adorable expression?

Follow my nose!

Play with puzzle toys!

Go shopping!

Smooch my favorite biscuit baker!

What are some of your favorite ways to get more treats and biscuits?

A Guide Dog for the Blind Dog?

From time to time, I’m asked how someone can go about adopting a dog to become a guide dog for their blind dog.  Or how someone can teach their existing dog to guide the blind dog.  I’ve even been asked what is the best equipment to use to tether the dogs together, so the sighted dog can lead the blind dog around.  Sometimes we even see this happening in the media, and it is presented as a wonderful thing.  

But is it really?

I think first we need to have realistic expectations.  

Should I get another dog to help my blind dog?

When deciding whether to get another dog to help your blind dog, it’s important to consider that each dog is an individual.  Some dogs enjoy dog companions and some don’t.  And even among those that do, each dog has an individual personality, activity level, etc, and will not react to each dog the same.  It’s important to make the right match for everyone concerned.  

Will the blind dog enjoy  having another dog friend?  If so, what temperament and activity level are suitable?  Not all adult or senior dogs enjoy puppies and young, bouncy, active dogs.  Getting a second dog that will bump into or climb on top of the blind dog while trying to play may result in a lovely game between two dogs, or it might result in the blind dog becoming stressed and grumpy.  

Can your household accommodate another dog?  Caring for an additional dog involves greater financial, physical and emotional resources.  Is the household ready to take on those added responsibilities?  

Take your time when deciding whether to add another dog to the family.  Take your blind dog to meet other friendly dogs of various sizes and temperaments while you decide if this will be a good decision for everyone.  If it is, then take the time to find just the right match.  Don't rush into this decision.  

Can my sighted dog lead my blind dog around?

Is it realistic to expect a dog to understand, on a conceptual level, another dog’s blindness?  In my many years of experience with blind and visually impaired dogs, I'd say no, it's not especially realistic.  We all want to see this magical thing happen where the sighted dog takes the blind dog under his care and never lets anything bad happen to it.  This is more of a romantic view of what actually happens. 

I have seen dogs do amazing things for each other, including sighted dogs appearing to lead blind dogs around.  But this is not the norm.  You need to understand going into this, that those idealistic visions are not necessarily realistic. If they happen for you, that's amazing and wonderful.  But please take the time to consider what is probably more realistic.

I don't believe that dogs understand blindness in the way we understand it.  Dogs don't think ahead and realize that their buddy can't see something in his path, so perhaps they better move that buddy out of the way.  But dogs can learn that their blind buddy does things a bit differently.  They learn this by experience, observation and trial and error.  

For instance, my sighted dogs have learned that the best way to engage my blind dogs is to touch them.  They may play chase games or distance games with my other sighted dogs, but those don't work as well with the blind dogs and so the game ends quickly.  They learn that in order to keep the games going with my blind dogs, they need to maintain physical contact.  

Dogs aren't born knowing these different ways of interacting.  They learn them.  Nor are dogs born knowing how to look out for another dog's safety.  When push comes to shove, the sighted dog will push through a narrow space, even knocking over and into the blind dog to get where they want to go.  This is realistic.  This is how life really looks in a household with both blind and sighted dogs. 

Can my dog have a service dog?

A sighted dog leading a blind dog is not considered a guide dog in the service dog or assistance dog realm.  Assistance dog (including guide dog) is a legal term used by the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) to label a specially-trained dog assisting a HUMAN to mitigate a disability.  The assistance dog, when used in accordance to ADA guidelines, is permitted to accompany the HUMAN into public places in order to do its job (in this case guiding the person around obstacles and hazards).  It is the HUMAN with the right to take a specially-trained guide dog into public places. 

A dog does not have the legal right to utilize a guide dog of its own and go into public places where pet dogs are not already permitted.  Guide dogs are taught extensively the skills necessary to lead a blind person.  They are not born knowing how to allow a certain amount of space around their bodies to allow the person to clear an obstacle.  This is something that takes lots of specialized training and practice.  

Should I tether my blind dog to my sighted dog?

Tethering two dogs together, regardless of whether they can see or not, is rarely comfortable for the dogs.  I have not seen an example of tethering dogs together where both dogs are not showing signs of being uncomfortable. 

When dogs are tethered together, we are taking away two things that are very important to their well-being and comfort - personal space and choice.  Personal space is very important to dogs - just like it is to us.  They use space to communicate with each other, to feel safe, and to feel less pressured and stressed by situations.  In order to use space for these purposes, a dog needs to have the choice to move closer or farther away.  

Think about times when you are uncomfortably close to other people - conversations when someone is talking right up close to your face, a crowded elevator, a train or plane commute where you are sitting elbow to elbow with others.  Normally our choice in those situations is to create more space around us.  When we can't do that and our choice is taken away from us, we feel uncomfortable, stressed, maybe even anxious.  

Our dogs experience the same thing.  We take away their choice and their ability to use personal space to feel safe when we tether them to us or to each other.  It is not something to take lightly.  

When a blind dog is tied to a sighted dog with the intention of having it be led by the other dog, both dogs are likely to be stressed.  The sighted dog is being placed into a role and responsibility that is not natural for him.  As discussed above, a dog is not born knowing how to allow extra space around its body for another body not to bump into obstacles, trip over curbs, etc.  So the sighted dog only knows that there is another dog attached to it, following it, touching it, bumping into it or other obstacles.  He doesn't know why.  This is stressful.  What if the blind dog slows down, gets caught on something, or is bumping into things?  The sighted dog is feeling all of this through the tether and also not understanding that information.  Stress builds.  

The blind dog is certainly also stressed - being pulled by another dog into a space and situation he can't see.  It can't possibly feel safe to be pulled along everywhere.  He has no freedom to communicate that he wants to stop or go slower, or that he needs to stop and investigate something to know what it is.  I have seen some videos of blind dogs that are completely shut down and just follow wherever they are dragged, showing no interest in life, because they have no choice.  They must follow or be drug along.  Stress builds. 

Blind dogs can and do enjoy walks and exploring new places, please don't get me wrong.  But they enjoy this most when they can feel safe to explore and discover at their own pace, not because they are forced along.  Blind dogs do often learn to cue off of a sighted dog and follow along.  This learning is done by experience, the same way a sighted dog may learn to play differently with a blind dog.  The blind dog learns from experience that following the sighted dog leads to good and fun things!  This is fabulous and can be very helpful.  

Do you notice the difference?  When tethered, neither dog had a choice and it can be very stressful for both dogs.  Stress is not fun.  But when the dogs can learn from and with each other, each making choices and feeling safe, they can learn how to interact with each other and have fun at the same time!

Ways to encourage a beneficial relationship

There are ways that you can encourage your sighted dog and your blind dog to engage in mutually beneficial relationships.  Help them learn new ways to play together.  Can they enjoy playing tug with a toy together?  Sit on the floor with them and hold a long tug toy in the middle to help temper the play so that both dogs are able to hold the toy and play.  Help less as they get the idea to engage with each other.

If the sighted dog tends to like to play chase games or games at a distance and the blind dog is getting lost, use your own body to become a bridge between them.  Be in on the game.  As the sighted dog starts to dash off, encourage him to come back in close, while using your body to keep the blind dog engaged.  With practice you will probably see the sighted dog begin to realize that he has to stay a bit closer or touch the blind dog more often to keep the game going.  Then you can begin to back out of the game more and more. 

On walks, use two leashes to allow both dogs to walk at a comfortable pace for them, sniff, explore, etc.  A blind dog will often learn to listen for and follow the sound of a sighted dogs ID tags jingling, or you can add a small bell to the sighted dog's harness as well as to your wrist.  This will help the blind dog be able to keep track of each of you.  This may really help your blind dog learn to follow your sighted dog if this is important to you.  (Of course, be sure the sighted dog is not bothered by the sound of a bell jingling first!)

You will probably notice just in the course of day-to-day activities how your blind dog follows the sighted dog's lead. You may notice the blind dog following along slightly behind the sighted dog at mealtimes, potty times, etc, as he follows pathways around the house and yard.  But not all blind dogs will be followers.  Many will also be out in front leading the way!  

**For more information about blind and/or deaf dogs, visit my website at www.yourinnerdog.com  You will find articles, books, online classes and resources there to assist you!  To subscribe to this blog and receive emails as each new post is published, please scroll to the blog header above and add your email address!**