Seeing Eye Goose for a Blind Dog. Seeking Advice

[ChicagoDucks]

My poor 6-year-old dog suddenly went blind. She suffered an acute case of Blastomycosis that robbed her of her sight. She loved to wander the woods by our house and rest in the sun in the yard. I am thinking about hatching a gosling to help her enjoy her time outdoors. Maybe if I can get a gosling to bond to her as it grows, the goose will keep her from walking out into the street, or protect her from chipmunks, squirrels, rogue trees and such.

My wife doesn't know it yet, but she fully supports this effort. I think with some good advice and a little work, we may be able to get a gosling to bond to our dog and help her navigate the outdoors.

I am no goose expert. I've raised and hatched a lot of ducks, though. I don't think a duck would be up for the job. I would like some advice. Is this a good job for a goose? Can we make this work?

 

[Rickba]

Hey, If I were you I'd give it a shot. You may want to think about getting a small table top incubator and some fertilized goose eggs. When they hatch the geese can imprint on the dog and will think the dog is their mother. The geese will stay with the dog forever. Growing up on a farm in NC, it's amazing to see how some of the barnyard animals group up and make friendships. There's no reason why this would not work as long as they could imprint at birth. I had a billy goat that loved the snot out of me. I'd put on an old football helmet, get on all 4's and go round and round with it. My sister had a big white goose that imprinted on her. Every time the goose saw her she would run up to her hawking, jump into her arms and hug her with it's wings. Animals are fantastic. I would love to follow this and see how it turns out.

 

[Pyxis]

This isn't a good job for a goose. You'd be better off getting another puppy and hoping your older dog will take its lead. A goose won't be on the lookout to keep the dog from hurting itself. Additionally, geese are flock animals and really need other geese to be happy.

 

[ChicagoDucks]

This isn't a good job for a goose. You'd be better off getting another puppy and hoping your older dog will take its lead. A goose won't be on the lookout to keep the dog from hurting itself. Additionally, geese are flock animals and really need other geese to be happy.

That's good advice and I appreciate it. Thank you.

 

[Pyxis]

That's good advice and I appreciate it. Thank you.

You're welcome, and I'm sorry about your dog I really would try another puppy if you can - I think that has a higher chance of working out for you If dogs can be trained to see for humans, I'm sure you could train a puppy to see for your dog.

 

[ChicagoDucks]

Hey, If I were you I'd give it a shot. You may want to think about getting a small table top incubator and some fertilized goose eggs. When they hatch the geese can imprint on the dog and will think the dog is their mother. The geese will stay with the dog forever. Growing up on a farm in NC, it's amazing to see how some of the barnyard animals group up and make friendships. There's no reason why this would not work as long as they could imprint at birth. I had a billy goat that loved the snot out of me. I'd put on an old football helmet, get on all 4's and go round and round with it. My sister had a big white goose that imprinted on her. Every time the goose saw her she would run up to her hawking, jump into her arms and hug her with it's wings. Animals are fantastic. I would love to follow this and see how it turns out.

What great memories.

 

[ChicagoDucks]

Hey, If I were you I'd give it a shot. You may want to think about getting a small table top incubator and some fertilized goose eggs. When they hatch the geese can imprint on the dog and will think the dog is their mother. The geese will stay with the dog forever. Growing up on a farm in NC, it's amazing to see how some of the barnyard animals group up and make friendships. There's no reason why this would not work as long as they could imprint at birth. I had a billy goat that loved the snot out of me. I'd put on an old football helmet, get on all 4's and go round and round with it. My sister had a big white goose that imprinted on her. Every time the goose saw her she would run up to her hawking, jump into her arms and hug her with it's wings. Animals are fantastic. I would love to follow this and see how it turns out.

I have a good incubator that has worked to hatch dozens of ducks. And I can accommodate a plan B of having the gosling hatchlings bond with each other. I've heard that geese are really smart and very protective of their "flock" even if it includes non-geese, I just wonder if it could work.

 

[Ravynscroft]

You're welcome, and I'm sorry about your dog I really would try another puppy if you can - I think that has a higher chance of working out for you If dogs can be trained to see for humans, I'm sure you could train a puppy to see for your dog.

X2

I have a good incubator that has worked to hatch dozens of ducks. And I can accommodate a plan B of having the gosling hatchlings bond with each other. I've heard that geese are really smart and very protective of their "flock" even if it includes non-geese, I just wonder if it could work.

If you actually want geese, then making sure you hatch more than one is the best way... they will bond to their 'flock' and have the company of each other to keep them happy... dunno if they would actively keep your older dog from wandering off, but if they accept her then they *should* keep an eye out for her while she is in the yard... but I think a buddy puppy raised with her would be her best option...

 

[Rickba]

I have a good incubator that has worked to hatch dozens of ducks. And I can accommodate a plan B of having the gosling hatchlings bond with each other. I've heard that geese are really smart and very protective of their "flock" even if it includes non-geese, I just wonder if it could work.

I would give it a shot. If you get 4 goose hatching eggs, chances are 2 or 3 will hatch. The goslings can imprint on your dog. Geese are fantastic pets. Read on different geese and get the type that are docile and friendly. I've seen geese in action. I have duck and geese eggs in my incubator right now. Today is day 4.

 

[Pyxis]

If you actually want geese, then making sure you hatch more than one is the best way... they will bond to their 'flock' and have the company of each other to keep them happy... dunno if they would actively keep your older dog from wandering off, but if they accept her then they *should* keep an eye out for her while she is in the yard... but I think a buddy puppy raised with her would be her best option...

X2, no harm in trying if you want geese for the sake of having geese, have more than one goose, and don't care if it doesn't end up working out. Having owned geese for five years, I can say that I don't foresee the geese trying to herd your dog back if she wanders off or starts heading somewhere unsafe, or guiding her through the woods, etc.