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Fabulous Resource for Working w Blind Dogs, Part 1
Some of our members ( @Madeline.Pape and @Ayden) have been posting about their work with blind dogs. Because I have very little experience in this area, I’ve really enjoyed reading those posts – thank you! ????
[To link to these member posts: https://mycatchcampus.com/forums/discussion/teaching-lay-down-to-a-blind-dog/ and https://mycatchcampus.com/forums/discussion/training-a-blind-dog/ ]
Recently, I had the pleasure of reading an article by Micaela Frank about living with and training blind dogs. One of many things she says in the article really resonated with me: “We can … open the door for more people to accept blind dogs into their homes if we dispel some myths and provide education on how whole, happy, and healthy dogs without sight can be.”
I really encourage you to take a look ????: https://iaabcjournal.org/blind-dogs/
The article features a blind-from-birth pup named Helena, who she adopted at 9 weeks old. I was struck by how incredibly adaptable and skilled Helena is at navigating life and training. Many videos are included in the article and they’re fabulous. Seeing how easily Helena can fetch thrown toys ???? was awesome. Watching her engage in hunting sequences, including forepaw stabs (pouncing at perceived prey in grass or shrubs), was jaw-dropping for me!
I also loved the ways Micaela adapted training strategies to help Helena through some behavioral issues, like dog reactivity.
To minimize stress, she begins a new dog intro by first using a towel with that dog’s scent, and pairing it with a cue Helena has already learned (“there’s a dog”).
Helena then takes her time sniffing the towel and gathering all sorts of ‘data’ about that dog in a stress-free way.
How do you think this strategy of using scent prior to meeting a new dog could benefit sighted dogs as well?
➡ You can check out Part 2 of the article here. ⬅
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7 Replies
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Very interesting & love the video. I don’t think I’ve met a blind dog before. What a creative way to train, I’m impressed. Very cool
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So glad you checked it out, @denise . I was really impressed, too!
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Super inspiring – It’s so amazing what they are able to do!
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I’m really impressed with the “scentroduction” and think that’s a technique LOTS of dogs would benefit from, sighted or not!
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Agreed! And I love the word, scentroduction!
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This is great. I currently foster a 14 week old Chiweenie and we suspect she is blind. She has an appointment on Tuesday to be sure. She is so full of life.
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Awww. Please keep us posted on your chiweenie’s journey, @Janina !
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