Care for a Blind Dog

Walk your dog through your house a few times on a leash so he can get a sense of the room, his walking path and the smell of certain rooms or objects.

Block off any stairs you may have with a baby or dog gate.

Attach a bell to your dog's collar so you know where, approximately, he is in the house.

Keep a whistle onhand, which you can train him to respond to, in case you can't find him or if he gets disoriented or confused.

Try to keep a certain smell in every room of the house. For instance, you can maintain a bouquet of roses in the living room, place potpourri by the front door, put scented soaps in the bathroom, keep his food in a place in the kitchen where he would be able to smell it, spray just a spritz of perfume in your bedroom.

Do not move, delete or add furniture to any rooms of the house without first taking your dog on a few walk throughs. Remember that, as a blind dog, he's navigating your house by his sense of smell, memory and sense of touch. If you suddenly reposition a table with sharp edges he could be seriously injured.

Make sure that your dog is kept in an enclosed area when he's outside. Monitor him closely and try to ensure that you can always see him or hear his bell.

Have him wear a doggie seat belt while in the car to ensure that he doesn't fall and injure himself or otherwise disrupt the normal driving routine to the point where it can become unsafe.

Take him through a walking tour of other people's houses if you are visiting friends. Gauge his response and confidence in his new surroundings. If he seems confident enough in himself - and if you've seen for yourself that there are no sharp or otherwise harmful objects or easy paths to the outside - let him roam around the house or at least the room you're in. If you're unable to do this keep his leash at your side and let him rest or play by your feet.