OK, now we have a new problem! We have signed up for the seminar that Roni Hoff is having here in Las Vegas on May 3 and 4. The information sheet from Pet Pals of Las Vegas (hosts of the seminar) said that all dogs with aggression issues will have to wear a muzzle.

Nickie has no aggression issues but Roxie is a different story. She acts very aggressive towards dogs that are behind fences, gates, block walls, etc. She is fine, however, with other dogs that she can see that do not "make the first move" - example in the vet's office. If the other dog is sitting quietly next to its owner, she ignores it.

Yesterday hubby took Roxie to be fitted with a muzzle at a pet store that Pet Pals recommended to us (I was at work). He said that as soon as the woman placed the muzzle on Roxie to check for the size, Roxie immediately started shaking uncontrollably all over and urinated on the floor. He said it was a pitiful sight to see! They tried 3 or 4 until they got the right size and he purchased it (it is a leather one with several breathing holes). While they were in the pet store (a tiny place that mostly specializes in exotic pets (snakes, reptiles, tarantulas, etc.), an English bulldog walked up to Roxie and sniffed her. She made no aggressive moves towards him (this was both while she was muzzled and while the muzzle was off).

What to do? Anyone else have any similar problems with introducing muzzles? I'm hoping to talk to Roni Hoff (been trying to hook up with her since last Friday with no luck). Should I attempt the muzzle on Roxie again on our "home" territory? I was so tired after work last night that I just looked at the muzzle and put it back in the sack.

P.S. We do not know Roxie's complete background - she is a pitbull mix and we adopted her last June when her previous owner of one year said she would have to turn her back to the shelter where she got her because she had too many dogs. We learned later that Roxie had caused her Boston Terrier to lose its eye in a fight (supposedly the terrier was always pestering Roxie and she finally had enough). She has scars on her belly and also an ear with scar tissue so it doesn't stand up like the other one - hubby thinks that in her past she may have been used for a "bait dog".

there are instructions in here on how to introduce a muzzle:
http://www.leerburg.com/pdf/selectamuzzle.pdf

teagan was muzzled-trained when i adopted her so i don't have the experience of actually introducing it. i do find she is less aggressive when wearing one.

IMHO all dogs should be muzzle trained. As you never know when you may need that particular piece of kit. Having a muzzle as well shouldn't mean that the dog is aggressive just muzzle trained.

Basically to get any dog used with a muzzle. You need to do a little groundwork It is just another tool that like a leash or a collar, that the dog that for all intents and purposes the dog should be neutral to its use.

It is all conditioning. Before putting the muzzle on put a treat in the muzzle and feed the dog through it. All without even trying to strap it on. Do baby steps 2 minutes a day and keep adding time. Until you can strap it on the dog without to much ado. Pretty soon you will be able to heel with the dog with the muzzle on, the dog won't react to it in the least bit. I try to condition train my dog to a muzzle daily as for French Ring the dogs neutrality to the muzzle is worth points in a trial.

My dog doesn't care about the muzzle now, for her it is just part of the kit.

There is no need to make a muzzle into something complicated. Just do the groundwork for it and it will all fall into place.

Jennifer & Geoff,

Thank you both for reminding me of the basic groundwork steps. I remember reading that e-book some time ago but was too tired last night to think of it.

Before I left for work this morning (after I posted my question), I put the new muzzle on the floor with a tasty treat inside. Then I got Roxie out of her crate and in a happy voice said, "Roxie, look in here!" She came running with her tail wagging. She did not act the least bit concerned about taking the treat from the muzzle while it was on the floor. I told her "Good girl!" and gave her another treat. Then we went outside with Nickie for our usual backyard potty, sniffing, grass eating, etc.

When they came back in the house, I repeated the steps above. I instructed hubby that if he wanted to do the same a couple of times today (without attempting to put the muzzle on), he could. If not, I will just repeat the steps a couple more times this evening. We have 9 days until the e-collar seminar with Roni Hoff so that seems like plenty of time with our baby-steps muzzle program!

Guess it was my mistake as a trainer not to have done this a lot sooner like Geoff suggested as part of their all around training.

That's the way Diane!! Just keep it fun for the dog and she will love putting the muzzle on as it will be another game she plays with Mom. 2 minutes a couple times a day and build on it. Keep it positive with her and you will have success!

Now I'm wondering if maybe the pet store woman had the scent of one of the exotic animals on her hands! Since dogs have such a keen sense of smell, if she had just handled a snake or other reptile, and then assisted my hubby in fitting the muzzle, maybe Roxie was reacting to that!

Anyway, I'm looking forward to conditioning Roxie to her new muzzle (and I'm REALLY looking forward to the e-collar seminar).

 Quote: Geoff Empey

IMHO all dogs should be muzzle trained. As you never know when you may need that particular piece of kit. Having a muzzle as well shouldn't mean that the dog is aggressive just muzzle trained.

First of all, Diane, good going this morning; it sure is easy to forget the 'baby steps' isn't it?! (have to remind myself at least once a week of that!)

Geoff, thanks for posting that perspective on muzzles. I had never thought of muzzle training my pup, but it makes a lot of sense.

Diane, keep us posted on the Roni Hoff seminar. I am very interested in her methods and hope at some point she will do a DVD, or even better, a seminar in my area.

maybe it's a less stressful environment for her too.

you guys have inspired me to start muzzle training luc

 Quote: Lynne Barrows

Geoff, thanks for posting that perspective on muzzles. I had never thought of muzzle training my pup, but it makes a lot of sense.

It's like anything, it is always easier to be prepared. There is a lot of times in a dogs life where it could need to be muzzled. i.e. if the dog was injured and others were needed to move her or you where in a car accident and someone like a first responder needed to transport your dog. Right down to little things like vet visits or grooming. Better to know you can put a muzzle on her without much ado than have her react badly when it is required.

 Quote: Geoff Empey

It's like anything, it is always easier to be prepared. There is a lot of times in a dogs life where it could need to be muzzled. i.e. if the dog was injured and others were needed to move her or you where in a car accident and someone like a first responder needed to transport your dog. Right down to little things like vet visits or grooming. Better to know you can put a muzzle on her without much ado than have her react badly when it is required.

I have been considering getting a muzzle and introducing it to my dog for just the reasons Geoff mentions above.

I'd rather introduce a muzzle now and condition my dog to accept it rather than have some situation possibly made worse because we weren't prepared.

Katie



Edited by Katie O'Connor (04/24/2008 11:52 AM)
Edit reason: change wording