If you have a blind dog, you can still train him to do a variety of different things. Even though your dog cannot see, he can still learn, and training a blind dog is not much more difficult than training a normal dog. All you need is a leash, some treats, a clicker (optional), and a lot of patience.

Getting Started

If you want to use a clicker, which makes a loud clicking noise when you push the button, you can find them at your local pet store. The first thing you want to do if you’re using a clicker is to load the clicker. You want your dog, blind or not, to associate the clicker with something good—treats. So, to do this, you want to put your dog on a leash and click the clicker. Then give your dog a treat. You want to do this several times, and you want to do this several times a day. It won’t take long for your dog to start looking at you when you use the clicker.

When your clicker is loaded, you can start using it as a training tool. When your dog does something you want him to do, you click your clicker. Clickers are a great tool for blind dogs because it helps them know that they have done what you want them to do. Blind dogs rely more on their ears, so things like the clicker, your verbal cues, and praise are very important.

Teach Your Dog to Pay Attention

When you’re training a dog, you want him to look at you. While your blind dog cannot see you, you still want the dog to pay attention to you when you call his name. You start with your dog on his leash, and then you call his name. When he looks at you, you click your clicker and give your dog a treat. This will later help you to recall your dog when he’s running loose in your yard or in the dog park. In general, it’s a good idea to have your blind dog either on a leash or confined to a fenced-in area.

Once your dog is paying attention to you, you can start teaching him all sorts of things. Even if your dog is blind, you can train him to sit, stay, lie down, and much more.