I’ve come up with a modified leash that greatly helps keep my blind dog, Sadie, from veering left or right and stepping off a curb or bumping into an obstacle when out on walks. You can easily make it at home. Here’s a photo, and a link to a video on YouTube showing the leash in use:
I had a really similar idea that I haven’t actually put together yet. I was going to use a section of an electricians fishing rod with a short loop handle like a ski pole’s on top and a short nylon leash section attached to a harness. I even thought I might try not using any regular leash for more control/easier leash communication. I’d have a hard disk under the d ring on the harness to protect him from being poked. I think the flexibility of the thin fiberglass rod would give him a little freedom to communicate what he wants and enough control on my end to keep him walking beside me instead of zig zagging everywhere.
My small dog has been blind for 8 years and never had a problem leash walking till he started losing his hearing. Now he can’t keep straight sometimes and with a soft leash it’s really hard to direct him so it’s been a challenge not to stumble over him, step on his toes or nick him with my heel.