Re: Our adopted Lab mix is biting

Paul E. Schoen wrote:


"Nessa" <ladybugnessa@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:9705f3a5-eab1-42f1-85bc-0a48b3ebb443@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
On Jan 12, 1:05 pm, "Paul E. Schoen" <pst...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
"Nick" <the.longest.username.availa...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message


I don't know if the dog would be more frustrated trying to bite with a
muzzle, or being corrected for biting without it. Definitely the behavior
needs to be corrected. The muzzle should be only a safety precaution.

how do you correct a behavior if it never occurs (and it will not
occur with a muzzle on)?

Not sure that correction frustrates a dog. Do you think frustration
is an emotion that dogs have?
Dogs live in the here and now.

Nick seemed to think the dog would be frustrated if she tried to bite with
a muzzle on. It would probably be as frustrating as a dog wearing a cone
collar. I don't know if frustration is the right word, but a dog certainly
can get upset or angry if subjected to unpleasant stimuli, such as
provocation, teasing, or yanking on a prong collar, and it can produce
unwanted reactions.


The frustration that a muzzle can cause depends on the dog. First off,
on most adolescent dogs, I would expect an immediate adversion to
wearing the muzzle. This causes a potential risk to the children.

If the dog is truly aggressive and is trying to bite and is unable to
because of the muzzle, I don't know what effect that would have on the
dog. I've seen plenty of dogs when they were young and hadn't learned
the rules about biting repeat attempted bites when their dastardly plans
were foiled by the humans. I could see a similar thing occuring with an
adult aggressive dog, which is why I would not recommend a muzzle over
the internet.


I see no difference in a dog trying to bite, but unable to because of a
muzzle, or actually biting. But I'd rather have a dog's muzzled snout poke
me in a sensitive area than having teeth involved.

Apparently you've never seen Schutzhund dogs working with leather
muzzles on. I wouldn't want either.

An attempted bite is the
same as an actual bite, except it does not cause so much damage and pain to
the recipient. I doubt that the dog would try to bite more because of the
muzzle, and if so, that should make it easier to correct the behavior and
proof the correction.

Except you aren't a professional, and you aren't there. So really, you
have no way to know how the dog is going to react to it. Which is why
it would be better if you just didn't make these types of
recommendations

Nick

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Our adopted Lab mix is biting
    ... The muzzle will eliminate the chance of a severe bite, ... allowing safe interaction between the dog and children and adults. ... If they are getting professional help, ...
    (rec.pets.dogs.behavior)
  • Re: Our adopted Lab mix is biting
    ... The muzzle should be only a safety precaution. ... Not sure that correction frustrates a dog. ... Nick seemed to think the dog would be frustrated if she tried to bite with ... I don't know if frustration is the right word, ...
    (rec.pets.dogs.behavior)
  • Re: Our adopted Lab mix is biting
    ... The muzzle will eliminate the chance of a severe bite, ... allowing safe interaction between the dog and children and adults. ... In a crate, the dog does not have the interactions that might ...
    (rec.pets.dogs.behavior)
  • Re: Ontario Bans Pit Bulls
    ... Some selfish owners are already declaring they won't ... Any pit bull born after that will have to be shipped out of the ... > But opponents of the ban argue banning one breed of dog is unfair. ... > "I don't think I'm going to muzzle her at all," Cochrane said. ...
    (alt.true-crime)
  • Ontario Bans Pit Bulls
    ... Some selfish owners are already declaring they won't ... Any pit bull born after that will have to be shipped out of the ... But opponents of the ban argue banning one breed of dog is unfair. ... "I don't think I'm going to muzzle her at all," Cochrane said. ...
    (alt.true-crime)