8.5 yr. Golden - blind: New dog???

J

jonnyB

Well-known member
Greetings all,

Have a bit of a dilemma; my hunting buddy for the past 8 years is now totally blind. I'm 73 and contemplating another dog - the question is when?

Is it fair to introduce a puppy to the household along with a blind dog? I can visualize the chaos and the work.

I'll continue to pheasant hunt as long as I can walk - but really missed not having my dog this past week in SD.

Your thoughts...

jon
 
Let me tell about Tony and Gunne. Tony went for a spring hunt on a Shooting Preserve. He worked hard and was very tired at the end. It took him 2 days to recover from that hunt. My wife seen it and when I asked for a replacement pup to help Tony she agreed instantly. I got Gunne as a 10 week old pup on March 23, 2010. Today 11/19/2010. Tony is acting like a pup again. He plays and runs with Gunne like a young dog. He has adopted Gunne as his son, they could not be closer buddies.

In light of this story, I would say yes, go for it. Hope and pray they become mates/ buddies like Tony and Gunne have. It is dream come true to see the way Tony has been rejuvenated. I think with Gunne to help, Tony is good for a few more seasons. Oh I forgot to mention I am 76 will be 77 in January and feel the same as you do about hunting........Bob
 
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Get a new pup, but in the mean time tie a check cord to your dog and let it hunt. I've seen blind dogs hunt very successfully this way.
 
jonnyB said:
Greetings all,

Have a bit of a dilemma; my hunting buddy for the past 8 years is now totally blind. I'm 73 and contemplating another dog - the question is when?

Is it fair to introduce a puppy to the household along with a blind dog? I can visualize the chaos and the work.

I'll continue to pheasant hunt as long as I can walk - but really missed not having my dog this past week in SD.

Your thoughts...

jon
Click to expand...

Very Hard to answer, This is a question only you can answer. Bob and Quail hound have replyed. Cant argue with them. However What about snakes , Badges , Bobcats, and other? Hate to say this but , Might be time to put it down, for it own good,or make it a house dog. Like, I said this is a Hard question to answer. I hope you the best of luck on your Decision.:) I'd get a new pup, and start again.
 
Jonny, there is no way I know of to test for this. But in Blind Humans, They have enhanced hearing, smell, feeling and so forth. I would guess, that with a new pup the older Blind dog could tell by smell etc. where it is and what it is doing. He could learn about it that way. Maybe you can find somebody that knows more about this than I do..........Bob
 
Thanks for the input.

Rudy seems to do OK in grass/crp fields and still quarters, although not like he did in the past. And he still has a nose for birds, but is much slower, especially on cripples.

In SD last week he got lost a couple of time, once for about 30 minutes. In corn and sorghum he bumps into the stalks, but doesn't seem to mind the obstructions.

His hunting time is not very limited, perhaps to preserve hunts...
 
Yes, I agree use Rudy where ever and when ever you can. You won't be sorry. As for bumping into to stalks you should see this pup of mine. He is so intent on going and at a fast pace. He runs into everything including Tony his hunting mate.........Bob
 
It will be work to teach and train so do what you want to do.

Ask yourself if you are willing to put up with a short time of pup behavior for years of solid hunting and a companionship. If your the typical bird hunter the answer is probably "yes."

How many years of hunting do you think you have left in you? I would say enough to justify a new dog.

Bottom line, don't over think it, just do what you want to do. I'd get the dog and get him going.

Just go look at the puppy pictures and you won't be able to resist.
 
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