[DBZ]

I've got a tough one to figure out and I need your help and suggestions.

How do you teach a 10 y/o blind dog to focus?

Every article I read about focus is centered around teaching the dog to make eye contact. Obviously a blind dog can't!

The fix for several of my dog's problem behaviors begin with getting the dog to make eye contact and focus on me.

Any ideas?

DBZ

[Renoman]

What is it that a 10 y.o. dog now needs to focus on? Sorry, don't mean to sound sarcastic, I'm just not clear as to what you're trying to get him to focus on.

[DBZ]

Renoman said "What is it that a 10 y.o. dog now needs to focus on? Sorry, don't mean to sound sarcastic, I'm just not clear as to what you're trying to get him to focus on."

Answer: Me! Lol!

I understand your confusion. When I recently signed-up for an obedience class I needed to provide some records from my Vet. The receptionist was like you and questioned why a 10 y/o dog was doing that!

The reason is I have a few problems I've not been able to resolve even after this many years and I'm still not ready to give up. The main issue being dog-dog aggression. This is really complicated due to the dog being blind and not able to see other dogs' physical signs.

There may be nothing I can do but I'm hoping that by joining an obedience club I might meet people with knowlege that may help.

My dog already does all the obedience commands. The problem arises when another dog gets very close, like trying to sniff or wanting to play. My dog will snap or lunge. I control my dog and ask the other owner not to allow their dog to come too near. This may be as good as it gets at this point but if there's a soloution I'd be greatful!

What prompted me to ask this question was the post about the recall problem and the link provided by "Curbside Prophet". The advice to fix the problem was to begin with getting the dog to make eye contact and focus. While on that provided training articles site (which is very good, thank you CP) I also read the article about how to correct the type of aggression my dog has and VIOLA!, It said to start by getting your dog to focus and make eye contact.

Most advice says to start at a distance where your dog can see the other dog but is still calm and slowly decrease the distance. Well, my dog has no problem at 2' but at 2" he has a big problem!

Since posting I've been thinking and decided to try getting my dog to turn and focus on a certain sound. I haven't yet decided on what that sound will be? Any good ideas?

The main reason for having the 'ol dog in training again is to be around other trainers and some balanced dogs to keep working on his socialization. And to see if some of the more experienced trainers have some ideas I don't about continued training with a blind dog.

Class starts in less than a week.

DBZ

[borzoimom]

I have a suggestion but the dog would need to need to be able to hear. I am not quite sure why you want the dog to look at you- but I am sure you have a reason..
Years ago I had a old poodle. While she had been in obedience with high titles- when she lost her sight due to PRA, she seemed depressed as in "not having a job to do" and " life was a struggle".
As the vet said at the time when she was diagnosed totally blind, " she may not be able to see- but she can hear".
Start with the dog sitting or standing. Get a clicker. Start with a short distance from the dogs nose. Get some cheerios so its a quick treat, easily eaten and the dog wont fill up on them. " Click a few inches from the nose, but remaining calm and when the dog hears the clicker- gently slowly so as not to scare the dog that cant see you there, give a cheerio. Repeat this moving out slightly from the nose. I also would add a word prior to the clicker so the dog knows you are there. "Focus" isnot just sight- its paying attention to you, and I think that is what you are trying to do. Try the dogs name- pause slightly click and gently hand a cheerio. The dog will learn ( or relearn) where as before the dog could see you when you spoke, now how to focus meaning pay attention to you when you speak. You are also teaching the dog to be able to judge "where you are" based on the noise. This is actually necessary training. ONe of the biggest things that depresses blind dogs, is losing their point of reference as to where you are exactly. We also removed all tables that my poodles could not under so the dog didnt get more confused navagating a dark world.. Good luck..