Blinds Dog Reaction to Surgery and Seen Again

Caroline Levin

The following extract is from: Living With Bullheaded Dogs: A Resource Book and Training Guide for the Owners of Blind and Low-Vision Dogs

How Dogs React to Blindness
If you have e'er endemic more than ane dog, or if y'all accept known several dogs, you've probably realized that they each accept personalities of their ain. Like humans, dogs are individuals, and as such they respond to hardship and stress in a variety of ways. The post-obit factors may contribute to how well (or poorly) a domestic dog responds to the onset of blindness:

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The dog'south age — is he immature and enthusiastic, or is he having to make this adjustment afterwards spending nearly of his life as a sighted dog

His general health — is he fit and capable of learning new skills, or does he accept health bug that will be compounded past blindness

The onset of blindness— was information technology sudden equally with SARDS, or was the onset gradual such that the domestic dog was able to compensate every bit the blindness progressed

Previous training experiences — is your dog used to having you communicate and "work" with him, or has he usually "been on his own" as a fringe family unit member

His "position" in the pack and his basic personality — is he a confident, dominant dog, a worried, submissive dog, or somewhere in between

The age, health and personalities of other dogs in the household

And the personalities and dedication of the dog'southward family — how much are you able, and do you want, to "work" with him

In general, dogs that get blind gradually, young in life and are not the pack leaders make a faster and easier adjustment to blindness. Older, frail, ascendant dogs, and those that lose their vision suddenly, can sometimes experience more difficulty. Bullheaded dog owners report this aligning can typically have three to six months, only certainly in that location are instances where it has taken much longer. It is possible for y'all to help ease this transition

The Fight Or Flying Response
Dogs react to blindness differently. Some owners witness severe depression in their dogs. Some owners report aggressive behavior changes. And nevertheless, other owners study that they never even suspected that their dogs went blind considering null inverse. Some dogs remain totally unfazed past the situation. As with humans, dogs may utilize a diversity of behaviors to aid them cope with vision loss. They may utilize more than one behavior at a fourth dimension, and they may switch back and forth between behaviors. Typical behaviors a dog may brandish include depression, fright, aggression, and dependence. Since a dog cannot sympathize what is happening, and since we cannot communicate that to him, we can only surmise what is going through the dog's mind. One brute behaviorist believes that animals perceive physical ailments akin to beingness attacked by another animate being. In that location are similarities between the responses of a sick (or blind) domestic dog, and a dog being attacked… and so in that location may be some value in this concept. Dogs take a potent "fight or flying" response. Based on a variety of factors, a dog may stand and fight challenges (attackers) or he may abscond (run from attackers). Neither response is incorrect. They are both survival mechanisms and don't have whatever reflection on a canis familiaris's intelligence or "goodness".

Fear And Aggression
If indeed, a domestic dog responds to blindness as though it was an aggressor, he may attempt to "fight". If your domestic dog was a ascendant, ambitious dog before the blindness, this may become more apparent at present. Similarly, if your dog was a fearful individual earlier the blindness, this could mayhap manifest itself now as aggression, every bit fear and aggression are closely linked. Without the ability to identify a true attacker, the domestic dog may lash out at family members. The dog may snarl, snap and seize with teeth other dogs in the household, their owners and family friends. This is a mutual reaction. (Run into "Pack" section for helpful hints.) There is a fine line to handling these situations successfully. On the one mitt, aggression is not beliefs that you should encourage or accept. On the other hand, the dog is already stressed, and fearful. A strong reprimand could serve to escalate the state of affairs into a full-fledged attack. Try to minimize whatever situations incite the aggression… other dogs sniffing him, neighboring children visiting. Issue a calm reprimand. Exercise non pet, caress, babe talk or otherwise reward the domestic dog later on the aggressive behavior. That will only encourage information technology to exist repeated. As you lot progress into the training program, specific activities will exist outlined to help you deal with this upshot.

Depression
Dogs that try to "fight" the blindness obviously don't succeed. And for some dogs, "fighting" isn't their outset pick anyway. These dogs would typically flee an aggressor. Unfortunately for these dogs, "fleeing" is not a realistic pick, either. Obviously, the blindness follows them everywhere. Ultimately, for many dogs, their normal methods of coping are ineffective. Domestic dog trainers know that testify-band dogs tin can have a very similar experience. Many dogs go stressed in the show-ring because there is no specific assailant to fight, and at that place are unable to abscond the environment. These dogs to become overwhelmed and "shut down". They brainstorm moving slowly. They lower their heads, ears and tails. In consequence, they get depressed.Depression is a mutual and normal reaction to incomprehension. A few dogs have difficulty ever getting past this state. Dogs tin demonstrate a decrease in ambition and action (play) and an increase in sleeping time. They have less interest in toys or tasks that in one case brought them pleasure. One owner reported his dog standing in the center of the room and only "crying". If you are still coping with your dog'southward loss of vision via a state of sorrow, information technology is possible that yous could transmit these feelings to your dog as well. Most dogs take their emotional cues from usa. While it is of import for dog owners to let their own feelings run their natural course it may be benign to shield the dog from them. Yous might want to consider separating yourself from the domestic dog when yous feel especially sad, or demand to cry. Give the dog a chew toy (see "playtime" section), and close the door into another room. You lot will have to determine where the fine line is between whatsoever benefits this might have, and any negative reactions your dog might have (i.e. separation anxiety, or the belief that he is being punished). Another option sometimes recommended by bullheaded-domestic dog owners is massage. There are several good books available on this topic, or consult your veterinarian for assistance. Yous do not need to be an adept at this skill to benefit your dog. Unless a dog experiences other physical discomfort, general massage over the dog'south cervix and dorsum can exist an enjoyable feel for both you and your dog. It is believed that massage can both calm down a stressed canis familiaris, and energize a lethargic domestic dog. It is also a way to "reconnect" with your domestic dog since he can no longer see you, or meet you lot well. Tactile (touch on) stimulation is a good way to replace some of the stimulus loss that comes with blindness. Any additional stimuli the canis familiaris receives tin assistance go on him "connected" to his environs and you.

Dependency
Some dogs too showroom an increased tendency toward dependency. These dogs go increasingly hesitant to perform tasks for themselves. They may be barely willing to walk across a room, let alone attempt a flight of stairs. In these situations, the owner finds himself doing more and more for the canis familiaris. Both blind and sighted dogs tin can become masters at manipulating their people. "Dependency" is a country which, unknowingly, can exist rewarded by the possessor. For many of usa, our pets awaken our maternal, caring instincts. It is normal to want to help our bullheaded animals. So while it is important to recognize handicaps the blind dog might accept, information technology is equally of import not to "coddle" the domestic dog. "Coddling" is the enemy to any progress your canis familiaris might make. This is a sentiment repeated over and over, by bullheaded-dog owners. Do not allow your dog to get dependent upon yous. One time coddling stops, and preparation new skills begins, your dog can regain conviction in himself and the world around him. As y'all progress farther into the preparation programme, you will learn how to improve deal with this consequence.

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Source: https://www.petfinder.com/dogs/dog-care/living-with-blind-dogs/

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