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As a pet owner, you are all for your dog’s safety, and so, you will do whatever it takes to ensure that your dog is living a happy and secure life.
The same goes for blind dogs.
Taking care of a blind dog may be a considerable challenge, especially if you do not know how to start.
In today’s article, we will share the best and easiest way to make a DIY blind dog collar at home.
All you need are a few tools and materials that you can either quickly buy or might just be lying around at home.
Factors to Consider When Making a DIY Blind Dog Bumper Collar
1. The Size of Your Dog
Before you begin making your furry friend a bumper collar, consider the size of your dog.
A small bumper collar made from a flimsy material will not be as helpful for a big dog.
If you have a small puppy, you may need to use a lighter material that will not make walking or running difficult.
2. The Environment
If your house has many things where the bumper collar may get caught in, you may need to clear those things out.
You need to make sure that the environment is safe while your dog is using the collar.
When you are outside, try to avoid places that may harm your dog. It is best to go in an open space when walking your dog to get caught in small twigs or fences.
3. Does Your Dog Need It?
Check if your dog needs a bumper collar.
Some blind dogs can move properly since they have gotten used to their condition.
If your dog seems not to need it, then do not force them to wear one as this may make them too stressed, resulting in an adverse effect on their health.
Materials You Will Need
To make your own blind dog bumper collar, here is what you will need:
- A leather body harness (or a harness that is sturdy and comfortable)
- Plastic hanger strap
- A hammer
- Some nails
- A screwdriver
- At least eight washers
- No less than 4 wing nuts
- At least four ½-inch bolt screws
It would be best to get more than the required amount if you lose some of those nuts, bolts, and washers.
Some of these materials would probably even be lying around your house.
If not, you can easily buy them in DIY shops or hardware.
Steps to Make a Blind Dog Bumper Collar
1. Prepare the body harness
Lay down the body harness on a thick table.
Please do not use your dining table or other surfaces that you do not want to be damaged.
You will be using this table for hammering later. If you have your wooden worktable, it would be best to use it.
2. Mark the harness
Use anything to mark the places where you will puncture holes on the harness.
The idea is to have the hanger strap go around your dog’s face and chest with adequate spacing — mark two places on each side of the harness where you will attach the hanger strap.
You can use a marker or use a sharp pointy object to mark the areas.
3. Measure the length of the plastic hanger strap
Avoid stressing out your dog while doing this step.
You can try to estimate the length of the hanger strap, but if you would need to get your dog to measure it more accurately, do it in a careful and caring way.
Ensure that the hanger strap is not too long that it will dangle in front of your dog, which can cause accidents.
Making it too short will also be of no use at all.
Also, these plastic hanger straps have small halls already, so make sure that the holes on each end of your measured hanger strap will fit just right with the marks you made on the harness. (You can prepare two pieces of this harness strap for an even sturdier bumper collar.)
4. Puncture holes on the harness
Use a small nail and a hammer to puncture holes on the harness.
The markings you made earlier will serve as your guide.
Make sure that the holes are equally distant from the center of the harness. If not, you will end up with a wonky bumper harness.
The weight will not be balanced when you place the hanger straps, and your dog will be very uncomfortable.
5. Attach the plastic hanger strap to the harness
Insert a bolt in the washer and insert that in the hole you made on the harness.
It should be tight and snug, so you will need to use a screwdriver to drive the bolt in the spot.
Then, attach the hanger straps to the harness by inserting the bolts in the holes on the ends of the hanger straps.
If the holes seem too small, use a pair of scissors to make the hole just a bit larger.
Although, be careful not to make them too big.
Once you have attached the hanger straps to the harness, put another washer on the bolts and seal with the nuts.
Make sure it is nice and tight to avoid the hanger straps from dropping down to your dog’s feet.
The finished product should appear as a protective loop in front of your dog.
When walking in front of a wall or another surface, the bumper collar should prevent your dog from crashing into it.
Key Takeaway
With a bit of creativity, love, and time, you can help your blind dog be safe and secure, especially when you go out for walks.
Your dog would be able to safely go around the house while wearing this DIY bumper collar.
If you want to go all out, you can attach some embellishments that will not hinder your dog’s movement.
Maybe some reflective stickers can be helpful, especially at night.
However, do not attach bells on your dog’s harness as it can annoy or even distort their senses.
