Welcoming a new pet into the family is always an exciting time, but for guardians of special needs dogs, it can come with unique challenges. Mishka, an 11-year-old Border Collie/Chow mix, lost her sight two years ago due to glaucoma, leaving her completely blind and understandably anxious around strangers. This post details a crucial at-home dog psychology session designed to help Mishka build trust with her new dog walker, a vital step to ensure her well-being when her family travels.
When building trust with any dog, allowing them to initiate contact is key, but this is even more critical for a blind dog. The initial meeting with Mishka’s dog walker was a learning experience for both. While the walker had some experience with blind dogs, Mishka’s lack of visible eye cues presented a challenge. A reported snap when the walker attempted to offer a treat highlighted the need for a different approach. Fortunately, the walker displayed excellent instincts and intuition, utilizing various techniques for working with blind dogs, though breaking through Mishka’s initial apprehension required a strategic plan.
Mishka’s guardians had already established a supportive environment, maintaining a consistent routine and avoiding unnecessary changes to her surroundings, which greatly contributed to her confidence. To further aid Mishka’s navigation and safety, several recommendations were made. Attaching a bell to her harness can alert others to her presence and act as a crucial signal if she were to get lost. Furthermore, a halo harness was suggested. This device provides auditory feedback when Mishka approaches obstacles, protecting her from collisions and significantly boosting her confidence in moving around her environment. This type of equipment has consistently led to marked improvements in other blind dogs’ spatial awareness and self-assurance.
Beyond physical safety, addressing Mishka’s apprehension about unexpected touch was paramount. Similar to how a surprising touch can startle anyone, a blind dog can find it particularly disorienting. To mitigate this, a leash with “training” stitched onto it was recommended. While not entirely accurate for Mishka’s condition, such leashes often deter unsolicited petting, allowing the dog more personal space. For those seeking deeper insights into living with and training visually impaired or deaf dogs, the book “Through a Dark Silence” offers valuable tips and strategies for enriching their lives.
The session employed a variety of techniques, recognizing that what works for one dog may not work for another. Initial attempts involved using the familiar scent of the therapist’s boots, but when Mishka showed hesitation, the approach was paused until she relaxed. This emphasizes the importance of respecting a dog’s boundaries and recognizing when to step back. The comfort of the home environment is ideal for such interventions, as any discomfort in this familiar setting signals a need to avoid more stimulating situations.
Once Mishka was calm, a high-value treat was introduced. After Mishka accepted a treat from her guardian, the dog walker began offering them. Scent association was a key strategy. A hand towel was used to gather the dog walker’s scent and then placed on the floor with treats. This allowed Mishka to associate the walker’s scent with the positive experience of receiving a tasty reward, gradually building a positive association without overwhelming direct contact. This scent game, detailed in the book, is a powerful tool for blind dogs.
The next step involved the dog walker offering treats directly. For dogs, perceived differences in height can influence their sense of status and intimidation. To create a less commanding presence, the dog walker lay down on the floor next to Mishka. This non-threatening posture helped Mishka feel more relaxed. Treats were then placed near and on the dog walker, encouraging Mishka to approach and interact. The session culminated with Mishka resting her chin on the dog walker’s arm and even dozing off, signifying a significant breakthrough in trust.
Singing in soothing tones was also suggested as a method to help Mishka feel more comfortable, creating a consistent, positive association with the dog walker. While seemingly simple, this can have a calming effect.
With Mishka’s family planning a trip, transitioning to the dog walking independently was the next crucial goal. Before heading out, the guardian’s leash handling was observed, and a method was devised to seamlessly pass the leash to the dog walker while keeping Mishka moving forward. This facilitated Mishka’s first experience walking with the dog walker, a major milestone in her rehabilitation. The walk was therapeutic, exposing Mishka to various sensory stimuli and reinforcing the positive association with the walker. It was recommended that this walk be repeated multiple times daily to build Mishka’s confidence with her new handler. The unique sound used by Mishka’s guardian to guide her was recorded for the walker to practice, potentially developing into a cue for forward movement.
Upon returning home, a final scent-building exercise was introduced: the dog walker ran handfuls of kibble through her fingers before bagging it. Repeating this each visit would further strengthen the positive association with the dog walker.
This in-home training session was highly successful, marked by several “firsts” for Mishka: taking treats from the walker, resting and sleeping beside her, and walking with her. The visible progress and satisfaction on the faces of the dog walker and guardians underscored the session’s effectiveness. A roadmap for continued success video was created to review the positive training techniques employed. Consistent practice of these strategies—scent games, treat-based associations, and the walker’s calming presence—will undoubtedly ensure Mishka’s comfort and confidence with her dog walker, allowing her family to travel with peace of mind.
