Train a Blind Puppy
Blind puppies depend on their keen senses of smell and touch to navigate through life. Dogs are intelligent animals, and with proper training a blind puppy can grow up into an obedient, loving family pet. Training a puppy requires patience and positive reinforcement and this is especially true of a blind puppy; however, with consistent effort, you will soon find your blind puppy following basic commands.
Instructions
1. Educate the puppy about its surroundings. Dogs first interpret the world by the things they smell; walk your dog throughout the home and property perimeter, allowing it the opportunity to sniff along the way. Call to it in a firm but calm voice when you wish to be followed, and start using the command "Come" while teaching the puppy its name. Soon the puppy will be able to navigate the home with little or no difficulty.
2. Ensure a safe home environment--cover sharp corners, barricade pools or hot tubs--to protect your pet. Scent the stairways with a few drops of perfume so it learns about obstacles (and use a gate, if necessary, for safety purposes). Consider using area rugs in rooms to help the puppy learn about texture.
3. Establish yourself as the pack leader. All dogs should view their owner as the alpha, and a blind puppy is no different. Begin practicing effective leadership exercises, such as exerting a calm, assertive energy, to teach your puppy to follow your commands. Exerting yourself as a stable leader will not only develop the bond with your blind pet, but alleviate anxiety as it learns the proper behavior of an inside dog. Vocalize often with your puppy and greet it when you enter the room.
4. Begin training immediately. Puppy training should begin as soon as it is brought into the home. For blind puppies, crate-training and puppy pads assist with potty-training--scent-driven materials will help teach the puppy to go in a given area. However, watch the puppy's behavior (such as circling) and frequently take it out to go to the bathroom. Give high praise and affection when it goes outside. Command training should be given in several practice sessions a day for brief periods of time (alternating with play time). Teach basic commands such as sit, come, down and wait through positive reinforcement techniques. Additionally, ensure your puppy learns obedient leash behavior right away to help ensure its safety as it grows up.
5. Practice effective training methods. Never jerk, pull or push your blind puppy; instead, use your firm, calm commands to encourage the blind puppy to obey. Purchase a clicker to facilitate training (see Resources). Utilizing positive reinforcement techniques is essential during the training process. As your dog responds appropriately to your given command, reward immediately with a "click" and a treat, affection and praise. If the puppy does not obey, ignore it. Soon your puppy will learn that obedient behaviors bring about the reaction it desires from its pack leader.
6. Promote a healthy and happy dog. Take your blind puppy to the veterinarian and follow-up with frequent check-ups. Your puppy requires adequate nutrition and clean, fresh water. Decide on a location for feedings, so your puppy can find the scent and will always know where to go. Socialize your puppy with all groups of people and pets, allowing your puppy to sniff a person before it is touched. Purchase interactive play toys--such as the squeaky kind--for your blind puppy. Pet your puppy often and get it accustomed to having its belly rubbed, teeth examined and nails trimmed.
Tags: your puppy, blind puppy, your blind, your blind puppy, positive reinforcement