Muzzling my terrier

[BaronSamedi]

One of my small terriers is fear aggressive with other dogs and despite having ‘I need space’ sleeves in their leads, the last two days they have been harassed but other dogs in the park whilst they have been on the lead, yesterday was awful. I was walking them mid morning and saw an off lead dog approaching, I put mine into a sit and distracted them, called out to the people that they are not friendly, hoping they would capture their dog, no such luck! Poxy thing approached and was bouncing around, the timid one hid between me legs, the aggressive one was going mental. The owners of the other dog where failing abismally at catching it. I gave them fair warning and as they where trying to catch it and I was trying to keep mine still I did tell them she will attack. I don’t want to muzzle as she is never off lead, wears a warning and I do my best. But if she does get another dog despite my warnings I would be really upset. I’m now considering muzzling her. Then she can’t get another dog but it’s not fair that she has to be so restricted because of other irresponsible people

 

[Equi]

tbh i think muzzling her will only make her more anxious. And if an offlead dog comes up unwanted and reacts, she won't then be able to defend herself. You are already doing all you can..if others can't control their dogs thats their issue.

 

[BaronSamedi]

tbh i think muzzling her will only make her more anxious. And if an offlead dog comes up unwanted and reacts, she won't then be able to defend herself. You are already doing all you can..if others can't control their dogs thats their issue.

I did also think this. I’m so sick of stupid people

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I would get into the habit of carrying a walking stick - and using it to fend off unwanted dogs - the owners will soon find that they can recall their errant dogs then.

 

[Michen]

As frustrating as it is, another thread did pull up some interesting info. One thing to be aware of is that even if your dog is on lead and the other dog isn’t, if your dog bites the other dog or worse a human trying to remove the other dog you *could* still be liable.

For that reason I would absolutely muzzle. But I appreciate how utterly ridiculous and unfair it is.

 

[BaronSamedi]

I would get into the habit of carrying a walking stick - and using it to fend off unwanted dogs - the owners will soon find that they can recall their errant dogs then.

Very good idea, Thankyou. I’m concerned that muzzling her will upset her even more and she’s not big, about shih tzu size. She’s a cross of two terrier crosses and with no other dogs around she’s really good, when I know no one is around I let her off the lead and she has perfect recall. We have perfected the sit and wait for people and other dogs to pass.It really is when off lead dogs come right up to her and her sister that she is snappy. I am doing everything I can to keep them as safe as possible, I might just stop going into the parks and just do road walks

 

[Michen]

Very good idea, Thankyou. I’m concerned that muzzling her will upset her even more and she’s not big, about shih tzu size. She’s a cross of two terrier crosses and with no other dogs around she’s really good, when I know no one is around I let her off the lead and she has perfect recall. We have perfected the sit and wait for people and other dogs to pass.It really is when off lead dogs come right up to her and her sister that she is snappy. I am doing everything I can to keep them as safe as possible, I might just stop going into the parks and just do road walks

Can you just pick her up if another dog approaches and walk off?

 

[BaronSamedi]

As frustrating as it is, another thread did pull up some interesting info. One thing to be aware of is that even if your dog is on lead and the other dog isn’t, if your dog bites the other dog or worse a human trying to remove the other dog you *could* still be liable.

For that reason I would absolutely muzzle. But I appreciate how utterly ridiculous and unfair it is.

Which is what is concerning me the most, the lady today was very apologetic and it was a little sausage dog pup that had bought them her ball to play and they where really not to bad, yesterday it was a pug x beagle and the woman was an utter cretin

 

[BaronSamedi]

Can you just pick her up if another dog approaches and walk off?

I can try as neither are big, I walk her with her sister who is yorkie size

 

[meleeka]

I can try as neither are big, I walk her with her sister who is yorkie size

You could try this but be aware she could turn on you if she’s really panicked. That method worked well with a friends dog. He knew it would be kept safe and eventually gained confidence so that it was rarely necessary.

You could also teach the ‘middle’ command. Then carry a stick as someone above suggested. It’s really about your dog trusting that they are safe and aren’t going to be attacked.

 

[BaronSamedi]

You could try this but be aware she could turn on you if she’s really panicked. That method worked well with a friends dog. He knew it would be kept safe and eventually gained confidence so that it was rarely necessary.
You could also teach the ‘middle’ command. Then carry a stick as someone above suggested. It’s really about your dog trusting that they are safe and aren’t going to be attacked.

Thankyou

 

[SOS]

Muzzling doesn’t have to be a negative thing and therefore if it makes you more confident to walk him I would definitely go ahead with muzzle training. A Baskerville type muzzle allows a dog to still pant, sniff and enjoy the world with their nose. Muzzle training is fairly straight forward you just have to make it the best thing in the world and start very slow. Once they are trained and tolerate it on for a short amount of time they will tolerate it forever, but if you rush that step they will always be clawing at their face to remove it when you turn around!

I often explain to owners that rather than calling it a muzzle think of it more as a party hat that he wears when he’s doing his favourite things. In vet practice it’s slightly different as we are trying to make the dog have hundreds of positive experiences with a muzzle on so when we have to do something painful and negative then it doesn’t cloud the good and they don’t associate the muzzle with bad.

Who wouldn’t want to wear a, potentially peanut butter smeared, party hat? Good luck with the training. ?

 

[BaronSamedi]

I was thinking of the halti type head collar muzzle as she has a really small face

 

[Annette4]

I do find when mine are wearing their muzzles people make much more effort to keep their unruly dogs away from us so I've been doing it more and more.

 

[SOS]

I was thinking of the halti type head collar muzzle as she has a really small face

A normal halti won’t stop her being able to bite. The “mikki” muzzles have to be fitted carefully so they can still open their mouth to pant etc. They can still nip through them. I’ve seen a dog take a chunk out of a colleagues arm as it nipped with a mikki on... granted it was a collie so a much larger dog.

 

[BaronSamedi]

ILEPARK Nylon Soft Dog Muzzle for Dogs Prevent Anti Biting, Barking ... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07CJW951D/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_api_glc_fabc_F46GWJZHKNCB2QEN913A

 

[BaronSamedi]

This is what I’m thinking she doesn’t have enough snout for a Baskerville type

 

[fiestiemaestie]

The one you link above either won’t be tight enough to stop her biting or if tight enough will inhibit her from panting.

on walks it’s important they can do as many natural behaviours as possible so panting and ideally drinking through the muzzle.

most dogs learn to see the muzzle as a positive thing is introduced appropriately, it’s building it up in steps.

there are very good resources on making muzzles a positive association online such as the muzzle up project, or Ruth moots who is a behaviourist in Devon did a series of videos on how to introduce it and make it positive a couple of years? Ago now.

 

[Country Mouse]

Your dog wearing a muzzle will stop you being anxious, which will transfer to your dog. You are making your dog more anxious and you are winding each other up. Your dog needs to be able to take confidence from you, as pack leader.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I have picked up my JRT when dogs have approached as she is terrified of some big dogs, she was attacked as a puppy and although she is much better now she occasionally gets really scared, only thing is I have had dogs jumping up at me trying to get to her which isn't nice at all, the last one that did it was a huge mastif type and although he was quite young he was huge, I must admit I really lost it with the owners and they were in no rush to try and get it all they kept saying was his a puppy, some people just really don't get it I would take a large stick and I would use it if need be.

 

[BaronSamedi]

Your dog wearing a muzzle will stop you being anxious, which will transfer to your dog. You are making your dog more anxious and you are winding each other up. Your dog needs to be able to take confidence from you, as pack leader.

No I am not making her more anxious she is better behaved when I walk her than when mum does. You done know either of us so can’t judge

 

[BaronSamedi]

After doing a road only walk today, and no stress what so ever, I am no longer going into the parks round here and will not need to muzzle for this. Thankyou all

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

I find walking away is helpful, not always possible with determined approaching dogs. It’s much better to be walking away because then your dog isn’t having to confront the oncoming dog.

I train mine every walk so can’t muzzle, but I’m really fed up of the new lockdown puppy crew who gather in the middle of the park and let their youngsters run wild, including at us. They aren’t teaching their dogs anything except how to be feral and pelt up to other dogs without being restrained. It puts the main part of the park out of use for us so we have to keep to the paths and do work there. So inconsiderate.

 

[Moobli]

I find walking away is helpful, not always possible with determined approaching dogs. It’s much better to be walking away because then your dog isn’t having to confront the oncoming dog.

I train mine every walk so can’t muzzle, but I’m really fed up of the new lockdown puppy crew who gather in the middle of the park and let their youngsters run wild, including at us. They aren’t teaching their dogs anything except how to be feral and pelt up to other dogs without being restrained. It puts the main part of the park out of use for us so we have to keep to the paths and do work there. So inconsiderate.

I always try to give as much distance as possible and walk away at speed. The other owner usually then steps up and calls or chases their dog when they see it heading off into the horizon after me. It is so annoying having to deal with these things, and it seems a daily struggle for some in urban areas so you have my sympathies.

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

I always try to give as much distance as possible and walk away at speed. The other owner usually then steps up and calls or chases their dog when they see it heading off into the horizon after me. It is so annoying having to deal with these things, and it seems a daily struggle for some in urban areas so you have my sympathies.

The amount of new dogs in the park is horrifying, as is some of the owner behaviour. I drove past a bloke yanking on his Viszla puppy’s collar just now, hauling it round, saw another bloke pulling his mini cross something off the ground via the collar. I did have a word with him, it was horrible to see.

 

[BaronSamedi]

The amount of new dogs in the park is horrifying, as is some of the owner behaviour. I drove past a bloke yanking on his Viszla puppy’s collar just now, hauling it round, saw another bloke pulling his mini cross something off the ground via the collar. I did have a word with him, it was horrible to see.

Good on you! I wouldn’t hold my tongue either

 

[Alwaysmoretoknow]

I'm so pissed off with numpties letting their off lead dogs run up to mine and sometimes having to lift 38kgs of on lead dog partway off the ground to prevent fights that I'm thinking of cutting a lunge whip down to about 2 feet so its got both a good loud crack and a harmless but sharp flick to back the bloody things off. Quite tempted to use it on the useless owners too who always seem in no hurry to catch/recall their dogs despite being politely asked to as my dog is now dog reactive after being subject to other peoples poorly trained or badly supervised dogs attacking her.