I am fostering a dog right now from a local shelter, which we will most likely keep for good. This is dog number 6 and the cut-off, seriously. They are ALL taken very good care of. They actually live better than most humans I know. Just kidding. Its kind of a sad story and sets precedence to my question. He is an 8-9 year old yorkie rescued from a puppy mill is birmingham, alabama. His eyes have been completely removed due to past neglect. The pads of his feet have turned into mush basically, from being in a wire bottom kennel for 8 years. His legs, tail and anywhere you can feel muscle are the same. He is hunched a little, probably used to laying down all the time. However, his little spirit is absolutely AMAZING. He is so happy go lucky and seems to roll with what life has dealt him. He has been with me for 3 days and has lightened my life so much, so fast. My other dogs have been great, and he is not bothered by them. I have had one blind dog before but it has been a while and he was 15, so he hardly moved around much. I have the patience, time and love to take care of this little guy "Stevie" (aptly named) I just need a little advice. I would like any suggestions about caring for a blind dog. I know the obvious, "dont move furniture" etc…. What I mean is how to entertain him, any tips about day to day activities. He seems to want to roam right now and I am letting him famliarize himself with the house, however and I am trying to keep him in one room. He sits still when you hold him, but seems to pant a lot and walk the floor if you put him down. I assume this is nerves and he is in a new place, but I am slowly introducing him to the house. If anyone has any tips, advice or experience please share……each little bit helps. Thanks so much!
To all those talking about school starting and letting me know there is no advice you can give – PLEASE GET A LIFE AND QUIT WASTING OUR TIME! I cannot believe a question of this caliber got so many spam/crap answers. To the rest of you, I thumbed up your great replies and I appreciate the kindness and advice.
"BYB Causes" – thanks for the site
"TAXI" – Thanks for your kind words!
JACKIE – Thanks so much! Great ideas, we have started those things also! He is wagging his tail to my voice now!
There is another Yahoo Group that will be of SO much help to you. It’s called appropriately ‘BlindDogs’. It’s a community of other people who have and love blind or sight impaired dogs. Their archives will answer many of your questions and the people in the group (4386 members) will welcome you with open arms. Good luck meeting new BD friends. 
I can’t help you – but what a story and what an amazing person taking this little dog on.
Wishing you all the luck in the world.
There seems to be sites to help.
http://www.blinddogs.com/support.htm
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There is an excellent website
http://blinddogs.com/
and an email group as well that you can access from the site.
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give him things to do he can smell and taste and hear.
a lot of blind dogs like to have the radio or television left on to listen to.
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oh wow hun I cant help you here but, God Bless you and your dog.
I hope all is well eventually.
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I want to cry reading your post!! What a great dog who found a great owner!! I would say he’s nervous when you put him down. I hate to suggest this, but having his own crate (with a nice soft bedding and big enough for him obviously) to cozy into when he needs to feel secure might help him out. Most dogs like their own "den" and that’s what he’s known his whole life – obviously you wouldn’t lock him into it and all that – but he might feel more secure.
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Play with him! Get him a squeaky toy and squeak it a whole lot so he can follow it by sound. Make sure you never roam too far from him during playtime, so he wont’ get frustated. If the dog can’t seem to find the squeaking noise, simply bring it to his mouth and play tug of war.
Go outside in your back yard with him on a leash, and walk around. Say "good boy" and "wanna treat (of course, give it to him.) and pet him.
Cuddle at night with him, put on some comforting music, lay back and fall alseep with him next to you. Rub him. Tell him he’s a good boy.
Dogs don’t have good eyesight anyway, so a blind dog isn’t much different from one that isn’t. Just taking speical precautions can ensure happiness for both of you.
What a touching story, I hope it ends ‘happily ever after.’
Jackie.
References :
There is another Yahoo Group that will be of SO much help to you. It’s called appropriately ‘BlindDogs’. It’s a community of other people who have and love blind or sight impaired dogs. Their archives will answer many of your questions and the people in the group (4386 members) will welcome you with open arms. Good luck meeting new BD friends.
References :
blinddogs@yahoogroups.com