Muzzles

[MMDad]

Ouch!!! Isnt there some kind of softer gentler way!

Next question is, I'm guessing there's only about another 2-4 months of this if memory serves... Right

Sorry, but she is right. There is no softer gentler way. The dog actually wants someone to be the alpha male, or it will try to be the alpha. By being forceful, you show the dog who is in charge, and it will become subservient to you and love you forever.

I took an obedience class with people who refused to use a choke chain. The dog didn't learn to respect them, and these people never learned to control their dogs. The best part was how we learned to control our dog. I don't think he actually learned anything.

 

[tikipirate]

Start growling. If you are right-handed, grab the animal around the muzzle with the left hand and by the hair at the base of the tail with the right. Pick the dog up and slam him/her down upon it's back. Bite into the animal's neck very hard. Keep growling! Plant your voicebox against that of the animal's and go King Kong. Lift the dog up and throw him/her across the room as far as you can. Approach the dog and repeat again and again.

Not cruel... This is how dogs establish superiority over each other...and humans intercepted the e-mail.

Putting a muzzle on an animal is cruel. Establishing law and order isn't.

 

[aps45819]

I have a cowbell!!!

you could use a muzzel too



Confused: would the forum equivelent be big thick gloves?

 

[cattitude]

you could use a muzzel too

How do YOU know about Dems' nipping habit.

 

[HorseLady]

Sorry, but she is right. There is no softer gentler way. The dog actually wants someone to be the alpha male, or it will try to be the alpha. By being forceful, you show the dog who is in charge, and it will become subservient to you and love you forever.

I took an obedience class with people who refused to use a choke chain. The dog didn't learn to respect them, and these people never learned to control their dogs. The best part was how we learned to control our dog. I don't think he actually learned anything.

Great Point! Some folks are so passive and don't understand that if they don't step up and take control of a dog trying to establish dominace they are beat. There is nothing wrong with teaching a dog who is the leader in the pack. You are doing the dog a greater good by showing him that just because their mom is not around that people are not below them in the pecking order. You have about 5 seconds when they do something wrong to correct them! If the puppy is not trustworthy to be let alone, don't. Kennel him for the next few months unless you are able to give him supervision until he passes the chewing stage. Don't let him rule the Roost!

 

[dems4me]

How do YOU know about Dems' nipping habit.

: and my preference for his thick motorcycle gloves

 

[happyappygirl]

It sounds like you are trying to train him, which (imho) is the really important factor. So the easy answer is: Use a muzzle when you want to protect guests, or lock him up. I've had puppies that forgot their training with unfamiliar people were around, and who wants to have their guests bitten?

I strongly disagree here, sorry mmdad, Ostracizing him from guests and children will have the opposite effect, it will make him worse. He desarately needs socialization and training, and what better way then putting him into contact with everyone? Petsmart does training classes, Dems, i think you need to go to an obedience class with him, once you attend one session of classes, YOU are trained, you'll be fairly effective at training and consistency. If you continue to attend classes, it benifits the dog through socialization. Dog training is my passion, but alas i have no time for it....

 

[happyappygirl]

Horselady...you have also made some EXCELLENT points! Dog trainers often make great horse trainers, and vice versa, much of the same theory applies.

 

[tikipirate]

The book 'No Bad Dogs' is excellent. The advice on the proper way to praise a dog really works and makes a happy dog.

http://www.dogwise.com/ItemDetails.cfm?ID=DTB271

You have received lots of good advice on this thread. Be tough with the little guy once or twice and he will acknowledge that you are alpha. Just remember to also praise whenever he is a good boy.

 

[dems4me]

The book 'No Bad Dogs' is excellent. The advice on the proper way to praise a dog really works and makes a happy dog.

http://www.dogwise.com/ItemDetails.cfm?ID=DTB271

You have received lots of good advice on this thread. Be tough with the little guy once or twice and he will acknowledge that you are alpha. Just remember to also praise whenever he is a good boy.

i've given up on books. I got a book big nice book online for obiedience training with Bailey and when I got home from work a few days later, the book had been peed on and ripped up to shreds, it was hardly recognizable

 

[Nickel]

i've given up on books. I got a book big nice book online for obiedience training with Bailey and when I got home from work a few days later, the book had been peed on and ripped up to shreds, it was hardly recognizable

Aww, maybe the poor puppy just needed glasses. :shrug:

 

[aps45819]

i've given up on books. I got a book big nice book online for obiedience training with Bailey and when I got home from work a few days later, the book had been peed on and ripped up to shreds, it was hardly recognizable

Use it to smack the dog when he bites.
They're pack animals. Establish your position as the alpha member of the pack. A pair of heavy leather work gloves will allow you to play with the little nipper without injury. He bites, you work free, grab the back of his neck and force him down to the floor. He'll get the idea about who's boss.

 

[happyappygirl]

i've given up on books. I got a book big nice book online for obiedience training with Bailey and when I got home from work a few days later, the book had been peed on and ripped up to shreds, it was hardly recognizable

Why was your puppy allowed free rein of the house and loose while you were away? This is asking for trouble. He could kill himself if he chewed a power cord!! And how will you house break him that way? Crates are NOT cages...dogs are den animals by nature. Proper use of a crate during training is a GOOD thing.

Another good reference is reading about wolves, this explains dog behaviour. Don't get into the trap of personifying your pooch, he is still a DOG. His inborn behavior does not change just because you perceive him as a human child. He will act as nature intended just as human babies do.

 

[Bustem' Down]

Use it to smack the dog when he bites.
They're pack animals. Establish your position as the alpha member of the pack. A pair of heavy leather work gloves will allow you to play with the little nipper without injury. He bites, you work free, grab the back of his neck and force him down to the floor. He'll get the idea about who's boss.

That's true, and puppies are going to chew up things. I don't think anyone has solved that problem. With my dogs, I just kept anything I didn't want destroyed out of reach, they eventually grew out of it. I also would use a light slap on the muzzle for when he chewed things and a light slap on the behind when he went in the house, all of this followed by positive re-enforcement, that's a must. Now everytime he so much as steps outside he gets all worked up for a treat.

 

[itsbob]

OK - just wondering with a new puppy in the house.... when are muzzles appropriate and when arn't they? I was in southern states yesterday and saw a bunch of them, I was very, very, very tempted and this ankle biter bites everything. To be expected but do people ever put the muzzles on their puppies to curb biting... he has plenty of chew toys but still bites, bites, bites, and bites more... nonstop bitting machine. I've tried saying no, and hand him a toy to no avail. Tomorrow he's going to see santa and I'm a little fearful of this with Santa tomorrow at Pet Smart too. Any suggestions, other than just tolerate it, he'll outgrow it or something???

Here's the litte nipper....

I think muzzles would be appropriatte for anyone in the HORSE threads..

 

[angelphish]

I can't believe anyone still advocates slamming to the ground, slapping, muzzle wrapping or any aggressive and abusive types of training.

I've fostered more than 30 puppies in the last year and have never had to resort to these kind of outdated techniques. It is true that some folks let their dogs walk all over them but "showing the dog who's dominant" can be done in a passive manner.

 

[Bustem' Down]

I can't believe anyone still advocates slamming to the ground, slapping, muzzle wrapping or any aggressive and abusive types of training.

I've fostered more than 30 puppies in the last year and have never had to resort to these kind of outdated techniques. It is true that some folks let their dogs walk all over them but "showing the dog who's dominant" can be done in a passive manner.

Whoopity freaking doo.

Shut the Eff up. Placing yourself as the alpha male is a valid tool and nobody said anything about abuse.

You do a little volunteer work and then think you are the master of all. Yeah, muzzles are horrible, that why vets use them. I've raised 2 dogs over the last 5 years and this has worked effectively without abuse to the animal. You probably think spanking your kids is abuse too huh.

 

[dems4me]

I can't believe anyone still advocates slamming to the ground, slapping, muzzle wrapping or any aggressive and abusive types of training.

I've fostered more than 30 puppies in the last year and have never had to resort to these kind of outdated techniques. It is true that some folks let their dogs walk all over them but "showing the dog who's dominant" can be done in a passive manner.

Thanks what do you suggest?

 

[Bustem' Down]

Thanks what do you suggest?

Don't encourage her. If she wanted to give any kind of helpful input, she should have done it without flaming accusation.

 

[angelphish]

I've done dog training for some time and have studied both compulsion and positive dog training. I don't do 'just a little volunteer work. I work with dogs as a lifestyle. And I have trained dominant dogs without the use of force.