Have You Seen This? Blind fetch

(Blind Keller/YouTube)


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FETCHING LANE — Keller, an English springer spaniel, was born blind, but that doesn’t diminish his complete enthusiasm for a game of fetch.

Of course, Keller has to play the game a little differently since he can’t see what he’s meant to fetch. Instead, it’s all about what he hears. He may be able to hear his toy flying through the air when his owner throws it, and he certainly hears it bounce on the ground, but sometimes that’s not enough to lead Keller to the toy.

So Keller’s owner added another layer to fetch and taught her dog the game of hot and cold. She initially taught Keller the hot and cold commands in about a week, according to the video description. Then she refined the game and Keller’s skills even further by teaching him the commands warmer, passed it, left and right.

The results are pretty cool, and Keller’s joy of the game is palpable. His owner first commands Keller to listen, and he raises his nose to the sky and backs up in anticipation. His front paws rapidly pat back and fourth in excitement.

Once Keller hears that ball bounce, he’s off. Unless the toy does a crazy bounce, Keller can find the general location of the toy fairly easily, but he quickly reacts to this owner’s commands to pinpoint his toy.

He gleefully returns the toy to his owner on command, but not before giving it a thorough yet quick chew to show that toy who's boss.

A second video shows off Keller’s skills in a larger area of play.

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Have You Seen This?
Martha Ostergar

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