How to Teach a Blind Dog to Walk on a Leash

Having a blind dog is a heartbreaking problem, and the handicap of low vision makes it difficult to train. But you must still teach such a dog to walk on a leash in order to make sure that it gets the proper exercise every day. A great deal of patience and encouragement is needed on your part. Your reward will be having your best friend enjoy a greater sense of freedom and mobility than it would otherwise.

Things You'll Need

  • Dog collar
  • Dog treats
  • Leash
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place the leash on your dog's collar while it is still inside the house.

    • 2

      Walk your dog around the house, one room at a time, while on the leash. Most blind animals do not have trouble maneuvering in the home environment because they are familiar with the scents and placements of objects. Your task now is to get the dog used to being on the leash itself.

    • 3

      Reward your dog for following you on the leash with dog treats. It may take some time before the animal reaches this step. The dog may pull or tug on the leash, afraid to go where you want it. If this happens, put some treats in your hand and put your palm under the dog's nose, or shake the container that the treats are in. Slowly move your hand or the container in the direction you want you dog to go. This lets it know there is a reward for obeying you, and gets it to move with the leash on. Reward the dog with at least one treat after it takes a few steps in the direction you want it to go.

    • 4

      Once your dog moves confidently in the kitchen, for instance, try the living room, the bedroom, and other rooms. If the dog stops suddenly and is afraid to move forward, continuing placing your hand (with treats in it) under the dog's nose. When the dog moves a few feet forward, reward it with a treat.

    • 5

      Take your dog outside on the leash. Bring the treats with you, as your dog will likely need an incentive for walking in areas unfamiliar to it. Start at the entrance or walkway to your home. Once your dog is walking on the leash in these areas, you can move on to the yard, the sidewalk, etc. Depending upon the confidence level of your dog, you may need several days in which to perform these outside steps. You can assess the dog's confidence level by determining how readily it moves from area to area. If it does so with little encouragement from you, it is ready to be brought to new locations on the leash.

    • 6

      Walk your dog around the block or in a park. This should only be performed when the animal is fully confident on the leash. Bring the treats with you the first few times you go, just in case your dog becomes fearful of an unfamiliar area.