Albino puppy

[Snickers]

I volunteer at an animal shelter and there is this albino shepard mix puppy. She was born with no eyes and might be deaf no one knows. I was thinking about adopting her if and only if the vet doesn't take her, plus I need to find out in my city how many dogs we can have here. I already have 4 dogs one which isn't ours (dog sitting) but has been here for over a year.

I was just wondering has any one ever had any experiences working with this kind of puppy. I know that it will be a challenge but I'm willing to take on the responsiblities.

 

[tskoffina]

I neverworked with a puppy with those problems, but my lab was blind and deaf when he was old, and he didn't seem stopped by it. I don't think they know anything is wrong with them really. He walked up and down steps ok, and he knew people's scent so he knew you were there and still played, but more contact play, I think that was easier for him. My mother's friend also had an older dog who was blind and deaf, and she seemed to have a bit harder of a time, bumping into furniture and whatnot, but that was only if it was moved really. Good luck if you do take the puppy, it's good to know people give love to animals who really need it. I didn't know there were places that limit the number of dogs, but then, here we have a min # of trees you have to have, so I guess I shouldn't be surprised.

 

[alli713]

I've worked with blind dogs, but not blind and deaf. But, when they don't have other senses, their sense of smell should work even better and the puppy should be able to learn to get around using scent.
I know one dog on a show about dogs I used to watch, was blind and the people's other dog actually helped the dog get about by the blind one following the other one by sound. So I would think that the puppy may learn to follow the other dogs about by their smell.
Otherwise I don't have experience, but I think it's a nice thing you're doing if you do take the puppy in.

 

[Dolyphinm]

There was a mostly deaf pit at the shelter I help out at and it wasn't easy to work with him in a shelter environment. Luckily a rescue took him and just in the nick of time..we got over filled so...sad decisions.
I give you a lot of credit for being willing to take this guy on. I definitely think you having other dogs will help him out greatly. I just think you are going to need to use a lot of touch to get him trained.

 

[equus_peduus]

I think the hardest part will be training the dog - I expect it can be done, but it will take creativity. I've met and worked a little with blind dogs - they have voice commands and tone of voice for discipline and praise. I've met and worked with deaf dogs - they have hand signals and facial expressions to tell them when they're being good or bad. But you can't do either with a dog who hasn't got either sense. They'll learn to get around, I expect, but it will be harder for you to communicate with him - if they're not in immediate touching range, how do you call the dog over to you? How will you convey that it did something right or wrong (yes, a treat, but timing it is going to be that much harder)? I'm sure you'd be able to teach it some things - tap on this shoulder means sit, tap on that shoulder means lay down, or whatever... but it will take some creativity and a lot of persistence. Good luck, I think it is probably doable, but I don't think I'd have the patience for it!

 

[Hannahdear]

I have to say this will probably be a challenge because dogs use their sight and their hearing a lot. If they don't have this it is hard for them to live correctly. I say take he/she home and help her a lot. It would be really great if you adopted him/her. Anyway, a albino dog would probably be plain awesome but since it doesn't have 2 of it sense that is not awesome at all. You should adopt her if you can because it needs help. I actually don't think it would be a trainable dog. Dogs use their sight and hearing to learn to do something. If she isn't deaf than this would be easier. I would talk to a good pet trainer and ask him/her.

 

[oxchincerelyxo]

I think that you'll have your hands full. Haven't ever worked with this personally, but I would loveeee some pics if you could steal a few:wink3:

 

[Snickers]

I have had blind and deaf dogs growing up but that was due to getting old. I am always up for challenges.

I work at a City pound. The city I live in deals with the county pound so I need to call them to see how many dogs I can have here.

Thanks everyone for the input.

 

[Hannahdear]

Can you train them though?

 

[tskoffina]

I think anything can be trained, just have to find a way. Maybe a harness almost like seeing eye dog ones, only so you can train them. Scent. If it behaves, you may not need to train to much. Just enogh to get by.

 

[Hannahdear]

I guess you can put that scent stuff on the floor when he/she pees. She/he would probably be mellow if she/he couldn't hear or see. It is sad but interesting at the same time.

 

[iayla]

I know our lil dog, when his hearing went, I could get his attention by tapping on the floor. He'd feel the vibration and know to come to me. You'd be amazed what dogs can learn even without sight or sound. Use touch & smell, it'll go a long way.

It'll be a long road, but well worth it. I just hope you'll be within limits of number of dogs. Here if you have any more than 3 dogs you need a kennel license from the county.
~Barb~

 

[Snickers]

I just called the County pound that does our city the limit is 3 dogs, which we have 4. The 4th dog belongs to my son's girlfriend that has been here for over a year. I volunteer on Wednesdays at the city pound. If the puppy is still there I'm going to explain my situation to my supervisor to see if she can call the county shelter to see if they can exempt the number of dogs I have.

 

[Snickers]

I volunteer today at the shelter the albino puppy was adopted by a rescue group. The rescue group will be taking her to a place that works with blind dogs. I'm so happy she was adopted out and will get a good home.

 

[Siylvat]

That is good news! Hopefully the puppy will have a nice long life filled with love.