Hi All:

Some days I think the only thing that I have done right with our pup is the Crate Training. The housebreaking happened by accident, as it were. If not for diahreah due to an intolerance to wheat, he probably wouldn't be potty trained either.

So primary issues are JUMPING and/or NIPING, mostly with my son, but sometimes with me. When he is good, he is really GOOD. But when he is bad, he is really BAD.

I would have added PULLING on the leash, but we've changed to a flat collar that has a pinch effect if he pulls. But let me start there.

Buddy is very very strong. So the harness has come off. When he goes out of the house, he wears his normal flat collar with all of his many dog tags and I have bought the LUPINE Flat Collar that has the "pull/pinch" section on it.

1st issue, when putting on the collar (any collar really, but since this one has to be adjusted and not just put on, it is amplified) he puts his teeth on my hands. He has not actually bit me, but more like he is testing. With the harness or the regular collar, I just put it on him, while avoiding his mouth and saying NO BITE. With this new collar, it takes too much time to adjust it to the correct fit. So I have taken to putting his muzzle on him, so I can adjust it without a struggle.

Once the collar is on him (with the muzzle on too) he is a dream to walk. He does not pull, and even better stays right by my side. I have to use the muzzle, or he does the little grab the leash so that it cannot pull him and then he thinks he can take me for the walk.

I now leave this collar on him 24-7, and in the evening for crate time I loosen it up (again with the muzzle on him) and in the morning I tighten it back where it is supposed to be for use.

So now his behaviour with my son. I am certain that there is lots of love for my son but no respect. The two of them or sometimes all three of us, will play pass, fetch or even hide & seek outside at my mom's house. But at home in our house, the pup will jump up on my son, try to pull him to the floor, et cetera.

If he doesn't have his muzzle add biting/nipping to the list. He has pinched the skin on my son's forehead, ripped his pants, and a t-shirt. So most of the time the pup has the muzzle on him, when we are all at home together. I am worried about the pup's need to chew. I have no issue with him chewing his chew toys, and he knows what they are. When he is alone with me, 95% of the time he acts appropriately without wearing the muzzle, whether we are at home, in the vehicle or at my retail shop that I am in teh process of opening. Exceptions are when walking with this new collar & evenings at home even when my son may not be there.

So do I keep him MUZZLED whenever he isn't in his crate? Do I do the CRATE ALL the TIME until he has learned RESPECT & OBEDIENCE, Ed's Groundwork Article? I'm thinking yes, but I want to hear from all of your, too!

He's a smart dog, so I know he knows what he is supposed to be doing. He also knows what is appropriate for chewing, even when he makes the wrong choices.

If I have a treat of any sort, fresh apples, craisins, liver treats, canidae treats. He will do whatever I want him to do, if he knows he is getting a treat. If I don't say anything, he will just sit there and then try laying down, and then go back to a sit. He is FOOD MOTIVATED. He is also PLAY MOTIVATED (is that the Prey Drive?). I know he is also very PEOPLE MOTIVATED. He wants to be with me rather than home alone. He wants to be with my son rather than me.

I know he is only a pup and @ 5-1/2 months old maybe I am expecting too much? I hate using the muzzle and interferring with his need to chew, but I don't want to worry about him biting my son or even myself.

Ironically, the muzzle (we got a new one that doesn't stink like fish-they nylon one did) doesn't bother him like it once did. He behaves normally with it on, and doesn't sulk or pout and act all dejected. But he also gets more freedom when he has it on. He isn't confined to the kitchen, but instead can go into the living room with us when he is wearing it. I also will leave him free in my vehicle versus in his crate, when he is wearing the muzzle, as I don't have to worry about him chewing the vehicle up. And he is more pleasant to walk, so we do walk more. But I want him to be able to learn to control his mouth on his own, so I feel like I have created a CATCH-22 type of situation.

Thanks again. Sorry so long!

To me it sounds correct as far as what your doing with the muzzle. I would take it off though when I could if not just for having the opportunity to put it back on again and give him the chance to learn that he shouldn't be biting you. I'm not sure of the collar your using unless it's the puppy training collar. I don't see a problem with that. They all have to learn manners but it sounds like you might be having a problem with your concience. A pack leader controls the lives of the pack and that sounds like what your doing. Whenever I put any collar or muzzle on my dogs I give them a treat so they associate something good with it. This will help your dog accept it more readily. Also if you can associate it with going for a walk he'll pick up on that also. Before long he'll be sticking his head in it just to go for a walk or to look for a treat.