Thinking of trying a MUZZLE (bite, aggressive, training, cats)
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I've got a 14lb Chihauhua/Rat Terrior mix who is really aggressive towards most other dogs. He will bark, approach and often deliver a bite to the snouts of undeserving dogs... and he seems to get worse the more I try to socialize him.
So I'm thinking of putting a muzzle on him on days when he will meet alot of dogs. Maybe this will allow him to "rub shoulders" with other dogs and find out they're not so bad. And I don't believe most dogs feel self-conscious, so I'm not worried about embarrassing him.
How does this sound to the dog people out there? Will it make him more angry?
my first reaction is that muzzling could make him MORE frightened and reactive..... one of my dogs is very reactive toward dogs we pass on our walks (that he doesn't know or hasn't "met") when he is on his leash.... he's just fine when loose in the dog park, although he does get overwhelmed when there are more than a few dogs in his immediate area...... it is TOTALLY fear based and i am hoping he outgrows it as he turns 2 in the next couple of months.....
You only going to make it worse. Sounds like FEAR Aggression. Have you worked with a trainer? Or better yet went to Obedience classes with him? 1 Teach him to listen & trust you no matter how scared he is.... 2 He will get much needed socalizing with others dogs that are Hopefully under control!!
You only going to make it worse. Sounds like FEAR Aggression. Have you worked with a trainer? Or better yet went to Obedience classes with him? 1 Teach him to listen & trust you no matter how scared he is.... 2 He will get much needed socalizing with others dogs that are Hopefully under control!!
That's just it Katie, I did take him to a highly-regarded (and expensive) 3 week obediance training program. It worked very well for his sitting, walking, staying, etc., but basically failed to socialize him. The program did introduce him gradually to other dogs.
I guess it is fear-based aggression but I swear it's partly joy-based... he seems to eagerly seek out these encounters! The more dogs he meets or smells, the more he likes the walks.
But maybe the muzzle will make it worse, and maybe he'll fight it and just fixate on getting it off...
Yeah, the muzzle is not a good idea. It will just add anxiety to an already anxious dog.
How is your demeanor when your dog greets other dogs? If you are anxious, your little dog will feel it too.
It takes patience, positive reinforcement and consistancy to get the kind of response you desire from your dog. When our nearly blind MinPin is meeting a strange dog on our walks, we say in a happy tone..."oh its a baby" or "who's this new baby?". Anything my husband and I tell our dog is a baby, she immediately becomes relaxed and happy to meet and greet.
Your dog is probably very social and just wants to make friends. He just doesn't know how to introduce himself properly.
Yeah, the muzzle is not a good idea. It will just add anxiety to an already anxious dog.
How is your demeanor when your dog greets other dogs? If you are anxious, your little dog will feel it too.
It takes patience, positive reinforcement and consistancy to get the kind of response you desire from your dog. When our nearly blind MinPin is meeting a strange dog on our walks, we say in a happy tone..."oh its a baby" or "who's this new baby?". Anything my husband and I tell our dog is a baby, she immediately becomes relaxed and happy to meet and greet.
Your dog is probably very social and just wants to make friends. He just doesn't know how to introduce himself properly.
Good luck.
hhhmmmm ... dave met his first human baby a few months ago and was absolutely FASCINATED..... maybe i should start calling the other dogs babies......
Remember its NOT what you say its the TONE of your voice when you say it!! 3 weeks is NOT enough time to get to know class mates muchless how to meet & greet them! I would try another class & trainer!
I wouldn't let him get up close and personal with every dog you see on your walk either. Especially if he's being aggressive; he might pick up the wrong guy and compound his fear!
Try distraction with treats. Everytime you see a dog approaching; distract him with treats. Pretty soon, he'll associate an approaching dog with yummy treats.
I wouldn't let him get up close and personal with every dog you see on your walk either. Especially if he's being aggressive; he might pick up the wrong guy and compound his fear!
Try distraction with treats. Everytime you see a dog approaching; distract him with treats. Pretty soon, he'll associate an approaching dog with yummy treats.
Hmm, interesting, that might work... but he might also get huge from the extra calories
Nah, he won't. Make sure they are really loooonnng walks. Ha!
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