Caring For a Blind Dog: One Woman Transforms TikTok With Life Hacks

Living with a blind dog is not something Melanine Conerly planned for, but life can be uncertain. Due to a neurological issue, Conerly’s 14-year-old Dachshund, Charlie, went blind.

She explained that Charlie’s blindness was not sudden but took place over eight days. It took the doting dog mom a few years to share Charlie’s story with the world, but she wants to help other pet parents in a similar situation.

Like any modern dog mom, Conerly took to social media and began sharing her tips for helping Charlie adapt to life without vision. One of her recent TikTok videos was so well-received that it went viral with over 1.5 million views. 

Caring for a Blind Dog: Charlie’s Story

There is no way Conerly would ever give up on her precious pup. Charlie would need to adapt like a person experiencing a sudden health ailment. The little senior pooch inspires millions thanks to his mom’s tenacity and love for her Dachshund.

Conerly adapted their Florida home into Charlie’s residence. She placed textured mats and bubble wrap on the floor to help the pint-sized pooch find his way around. She also wrapped patio columns in bubble wrap and installed a child safety fence near the pool.

One product that many pet parents of blind dogs use is called a Halo, a circular bumper that the dog wears to help them avoid head injuries. Charlie uses it, but his mom says he’s got a stubborn streak. She says Charlie is headed somewhere, but the Halo stops his movement, but he has a great spirit.

Helping Her Blind Dog Navigate Daily Life

Like many things in life, sometimes what seems like an accident or trial and error becomes a solution. In Charlie’s case, using pool noodles and bubble wrap has been beneficial. Adding a doggy door with a ramp and a magnetic screen door gives Charlie more independence to go outside whenever he wants.

Outside of inspiring a whole social media community of dog lovers, Conerly says the bond she shares with Charlie is even stronger. She admits her Dachshund was always clingy, but since going blind, he has become even more attached to her.

It’s not all a bed of roses, however. Conerly admits she misses Charlie’s bright eyes staring at her or the cute side-eye he used to give her. Conversely, Charlie learned to tap his mom with his paw to get her attention.

As time passed, Charlie went deaf and developed diabetes. Despite his health challenges and senior issues, he never wavers in his joyful spirit and love of life.

How to Tell if Your Dog is Going Blind

No matter your dog’s age, they can go blind for many reasons. Some of the more common signs that your dog may be losing sight include: Clinging more to you, their pet parent Anxiousness or nervous behavior

• Bumping into things suddenly, both inside and outside
• Cloudiness or a bluish tint over the eyes
• Pupils appear to be constricted and may not respond to light
• Startling easy when approached

If a pet parent suspects their pet has vision loss, the best thing to do is to seek the services of a veterinarian or veterinary ophthalmologist. Charlie’s vision loss occurred over eight days, but this is not the case for others.

Sometimes, if vision loss is caught early, it can be reversed or slowed down, especially if a cataract, eye injury, or other underlying cause is to blame. A specialist will perform tests such as an ERG (electroretinography), blood studies, and imaging, such as an MRI or ultrasound.

Caring for a Blind Dog

Fortunately, there are millions of pet parents whose dogs go blind at any given time. Resources are in great abundance, so you’ll never feel alone. As a Cocker Spaniel mom, I know of many dogs who lost their vision with age. It tends to be more emotional to the pet parent than the dog, as our pets are incredibly adaptable.

If your dog is going blind or has recently lost vision, here are pro tips to care for a blind dog:

1. For orientation, keep their bowls, beds, and usual items in their regular place. You don’t want to confuse your pooch further.
2. You’ll notice a dog’s sense of hearing and scent seemingly increasing as its sight diminishes. They are adapting.
3. Try not to coddle or pity your dog. Always love and show your dog affection, but keep a positive attitude, which will reflect in your pet’s response.
4. Keep your blind dog on a shorter leash when walking, and be sure they know basic commands like sit, stay, and come. Start working on step up, step down, etc. Go slow and be patient. Reward and reward again with praise and love.
5. Consider using a water fountain so your blind pet can find their way to it. The sound will draw their attention.
6. Talk to friends, family, and strangers who approach and want to pet your dog. Blind dogs startle easily, so everyone around the dog must show respect.
7. Allow other pets to wear tags that jingle so your blind dog is aware of their location.
8. Consider eye protection so your dog doesn’t further damage the orbit.
9. Keep furniture in the same place so as not to confuse your pet.
10. Be consistent with your schedule, feeding times, walking times, etc., so your dog understands that everything is in order.

Further Resources on Caring for Dogs with Vision Loss

Petful has you covered with abundant resources in caring for your dog with vision loss. Check out these helpful pieces: Myths About Blind Dogs Debunked

Dog Eye Bulging: Causes, Treatment, and Prevention

Do Dogs See in Color and Other Canine Eyesight Questions Answered

Images: Feature Image by Alexa from Pixabay and  emre çaykara from Pixabay