Woman Dog-Proofs Her Entire Home for Her Blind Dachshund—Now Millions Are Tearing Up
One of the best gifts you can offer a blind dog is the gift of comfort and safety. For most — if not all — visually-impaired dogs, feeling safe and comfortable goes beyond having the coziest bed or the tastiest meals. It’s more about being in an environment that feels predictable, in the sense that they know what to expect as they navigate their surroundings. (Watch the video below)
That’s where dog-proofing your home comes in.
One dog owner has left the internet impressed after showcasing the extent she’s gone to ensure her deaf & blind senior Dachshund moves safely and confidently around the house. Trust us, you’ll “aaaww” non-stop once you see how she’s intentionally dog-proofed her home for the sake of her 14-year-old pup.
@charcharbinksdachshund He’s my little roomba #dachshund #dachshundsoftiktok #blinddogsoftiktok #seniordog #doxie #seniordogsoftiktok #blinddog ♬ A day in my life – MPH Sound
What Intentional Dog-Proofing Looks Like
As shown in a TikTok video posted on the account @charcharbinksdachshund, this thoughtful owner has gone above and beyond to make her home a safe haven for her Doxie. Here are some of the ways she’s done this:
- She’s wrapped plastic film around the bottom part of all her bar stools to protect her Doxie from getting trapped in the space between the stools’ legs.
- She’s fenced her pool so that her Doxie can sunbathe outside without accidentally getting into the water.
- She’s wrapped the bottom part of all concrete poles around her home with bubble wrap to prevent him from bumping into the poles.
- She has installed a ramp and a doggie door to help him go in and out of the house with ease.
The Internet Can’t Get Enough
This heartwarming clip is a timely reminder that blind dogs don’t ask for much; just an environment that makes sense for them. So far, the video has racked up 1.6 million views and attracted thousands of heartfelt comments.
“Thank you for showing the saran wrap around the chairs. That’s a good idea. I’ve never thought of that for my blind dachshund,” one comment reads.
“Thank you for sharing this. I have a senior English Bulldog who is deaf and about 90% blind and we have done so much around the house to make him comfortable. But I love the bubble and plastic wrap,” another added.
“I’m so happy he has someone that cares for him so much,” a third person wrote.
Living With a Blind Dog: Other Dog-Proofing Tips & Tricks You Should Know
Visually-impaired dogs, too, can lead happy, fulfilling lives just like other sighted dogs. It all starts with how safe and confident they feel within their home environment. This is why dog-proofing your home when you have a blind dog shouldn’t be treated as an option; it’s essential.
If you don’t know where to begin, start by checking out the rooms your dog likes to frequent, one by one. Get down on all fours to get a proper view of potential hazards, obstacles, and sharp edges in every room from your pup’s eye level.
“A good place to start is the room or area of your home where your blind dog spends the most time. Go into that room and think about life from your dog’s perspective. What could they run into that might hurt them or damage them? Are you able to move that item or add something soft to it?” Pet Rescue advocate Rocky Kanaka advises.
Here are other helpful dog-proofing tips you can consider:
1. Keep Your Home Layout Consistent
Blind dogs rely heavily on their memory and other senses to map out your home layout. Therefore, it’s best to ensure your layout remains consistent to avoid stress and confusion. That means avoid constantly moving or rearranging things in the house and making frequent layout changes that could stress your dog.
2. Get a Halo
Another helpful way to help your blind pup navigate their surroundings with confidence is getting them a halo.
“The Halo is equivalent to a stick for blind humans, that acts as an alert perimeter device to let them know they are about to run into something. Not all dogs benefit from the use of the Halo, but it might be worth a shot if you’ve got a clumsy blind pup,” Rocky Kanaka says.
3. Use Textured Mats
You can also consider placing different textured mats in different areas of your house. Doing so allows your dog to tap on their sense of touch, and that way, they’re able to accurately associate the feeling of each rug with specific areas of your house.
“I have one for his food dish area, and inside and outside his dog doors. Once he touches it, you can tell he has a good bearing of where he is,” commented one user in a Reddit discussion on caring for a blind dog.
