Trevor and his blind and deaf Great Dane Keller enjoying a hike.
People are always impressed and amazed when they meet Keller, my deaf and blind Great Dane. And he meets a lot of people, because he always draws a crowd. He's a great ambassador for Adopt-A-Less-Adoptable-Pet Week. I think he especially loves it when we leave the house because he gets to experience so many new smells. All dogs have a strong sense of smell, but, think about it: For a deaf and blind dog, smell is everything. Keller sticks his head out of the car window or sun roof and takes it all in. It is really funny to see people at stop lights all pointing to the car with the big white dog sticking out.
While it wasn't a hard decision to take Keller as a 9-week-old puppy -- he was in desperate need of a home right away or he faced euthanasia -- I did initially wonder if I'd gotten in over my head. I had no experience with special-needs dogs and here I was taking on a deaf and blind puppy.
But raising Keller hasn't been that different from raising my other dogs. (See Keller's puppy pictures and read our first post-adoption blog post here. ) Now 3 years old, Keller has taught me a lot about how great special-needs pets can be. He's also taught me some ways to make life easier on both of us. Here's just a bit of what I've learned:
Keller enjoying his fenced-in backyard where he can play safely.
House trainingHouse training was easy and Keller learned really quickly. The technique I used did not involve any negative reinforcement or harsh noises, so his being deaf or blind had no impact on the process.
The process I follow is to pay very close attention to the puppy and give him frequent time outside at regular intervals. If I can't watch him, he is in his crate. I always let him out before and after meals and playtime. When I see him "looking" around for a place to go, I calmly pick him up and take him outside. It doesn't take long for him to figure out that is the place to go.
I'm so proud of Keller because he picked it up so fast and has only had accidents because of illness or medications he might have been taking.
Leash training
Learning to walk on the leash was also pretty effortless. The difference between Keller and my previous dogs is that he tends to lean against my left leg when we are walking. It gives him a point of reference and security. I do have to pay attention, though: He can push me off the sidewalk. Don't forget, we're talking about 130 lbs. of Great Dane here.
Bonding
A deaf or blind dog will most likely bond closely with you and rely on you for comfort. He'll like to know you are there. Some deaf or blind animals will exhibit a lot of stress or separation anxiety when their partner is not around, whether that partner is another pet in the household or, in most cases, you. If you can't be around most of the time, I think it can help very much to have another pet for your special-needs pet to bond with.
Dealing with separation & pet-proofing
I'm very fortunate that I can be with Keller all day. However, I can't be with him all the time, so I worked with him to help him get used to being home alone. I started by leaving him in the house alone for a few minutes and watching him through the window. I kept increasing the time until he was mostly comfortable being home alone for several hours at a time. He will get up to some mischief from time to time, but I minimize the damage through proper puppy-proofing.
I think you should always puppy-proof your home, regardless of whether you have a special-needs pet, but it helps tremendously for blind dogs.
In my house, there are plenty of open areas where Keller won't run into anything and there is little risk something could fall over and hurt him if he ran into it. I don't usually move furniture around that could change the layout of the house. If I do need to move something, I introduce Keller to it by leading him to the change and letting him check it out.
That said, Keller almost never runs into things. He has an amazing environmental awareness and can run through the house and yard at full speed and always seems to know exactly where he is.
Since Keller is a Great Dane and is so tall, it is very easy for him to counter-surf to pick up treats. I always make sure countertops are clear and free of things that might attract his attention. This also helps me keep a better household, because dishes and laundry are always kept out of the way.
Secondary medical issues
Some special-needs pets may have other medical issues in addition or related to their deafness or blindness. In Keller's case, he would have been a Harlequin Dane, but the genetic defect responsible for his deafness and blindness also caused him to have a mostly white coat. I later learned this defect can also cause an increase in allergic reactions.
One day I noticed that Keller had gotten very itchy and scratched himself raw in several places. I tried all sorts of things: changing his diet, making sure his ears were clean, and generally making sure to address all the things that might make him scratch. I had tried everything I could think of and we visited several vets trying to figure out the problem. Eventually I met Dr. Nicola Williamson of Veterinary Dermatology of Richmond and finally got some relief for my boy using immunotherapy treatment. Dr. Williamson was awesome and helped me get Keller's allergies under control. I'm very happy to say he is much better now and has gotten relief from all that itchiness. I can't thank Dr. Williamson and her staff enough for all they have done for us.
Who should consider a special-needs pet?
I strongly encourage anyone looking for a new pet to consider "less-adoptable" pets and those with special needs. Sure, it may be a little intimidating at first, but it is such a rewarding experience to help these animals, and they will return the love and appreciation tenfold. Open your home to one of these extraordinary animals and you will gain a very special friend in your life.
Blog: Living with a deaf (and blind) dog: Keller's amazing story
Blog: Adopt-A-Less-Adoptable-Pet Week is Sept. 19-25
Adopt-A-Less-Adoptable-Pet Week
Adopt-A-Less-Adoptable-Pet Week Adoptable Pet Gallery
