My daughter has a lovely border terrier 'Rufus', he is such a cute sweet little thing.
The only problem is he wants to rip the throat out of every other living creature he meets, he doesn't mean them any harm he just feels the need to kill them, before being their friend.
After the inital meeting with another dog and inevitable blood bath he is fine and will happily play.
I am thinking of getting a muzzle for him, (the plastic cage type) so he can get to know other dogs without the blood and snot introduction.
Anyone had a similar problem and are muzzles any good?
PS he is fine with people, and loves children (but couldn't eat a full one)
------------- As I've told my psychiatrist, you can't have too many tents.
On the few occasions we have tried to muzzle our Jack Russell (vet appointments etc) he rips it off with his front paws regardless of damage to himself.
He is generally well behaved so we gave up trying but in your dog's case I think you need to address the underlying problem of why does he do it and change his behaviour rather than working round it. I suggest you talk to a dog trainer or behaviourist.
Yes, definatly the Baskerville muzzle. They can still drink and pant, my Lurcher wears one for the same reason.
Although, its funny how people give her such a wide berth when she's wearing it..
As far as I'm concerned, it keeps her out of trouble and I have peace of mind she can do no harm whilst wearing it. Its a God's send to me, I would be very reluctant to take her out in public without it.
Edited to say my Lurcher is a very loving dog, it was her previous life style before she was rescued that makes her aggressive towards anything with fur or feathers...
Its not her fault,, she is just misunderstood !! And I manage and control her accordingly .
Get a muzzle for the short term, but as millermicm says, you need to find out WHY he does it? then change his behaviours. Speak to a dog trainer, they will have come accross this before and may have an answer for you. Either that or eventually you could have a very expensive vet bill for someone elses dog.
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I too am thinking the behavioural issue should be addressed first via the help of a dog trainer.
My BT needed to be muzzled as he was having a go at his dog walker's cats whenever he stayed with her.
However, he got used to cats, starting with the one at home, and no longer thinks they are evil, and he will happily go up to cats to say hello and let them have a sniff nowadays.
The only time I muzzle him now is when I need to hand-strip his coat.
DK
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Yes its definatly a behavioural problem, I don't think he has been with enough other animals as a puppy (he is 2 now). The problem is when they try to introduce him to other dogs it ends up in a fight. So now they avoid the issue.
I am thinking about using the muzzle so he cannot do much damage, and once he has got over the initial confrontation he will be OK. Hopefully the muzzle would not be needed.
When he is stripped he shows no aggression, doesn't like it but never tries to bite.
------------- As I've told my psychiatrist, you can't have too many tents.
It is a good idea using the muzzle, until he learns the correct way to behave in the initial meeting of another dog.
Going to an animal behaviourist/trainer will be a great idea. Your dog has not learnt, meet and greet k9 style yet. Rufus is still behaving how he did as a young pup and not learnt. With being 2 yrs old can just do a tad more damage.
2 year old dogs lol this age can be difficult. They tend to try to push the barriers. I call it "the delinquent stage"
Good luck.
heath63
------------- New Year: Hesketh Bank
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My friend had that problem with her border collie and never addressed it,sadly her dog has just been put down because she avoided the issue,I'm glad you are doing something.Here up North it costs £15 per hour for a one to one trainer
We are trying to get our Jack Russell used to baskerville cage version. We are under the care of a behaviourist.
We put a treat in, get him to take it out. After a while we clip it on. He hates it and we have to start again. It doesn't help that he can only eat Royal canin gastro food so any nice treat is out of the equation.
If you use a muzzle make sure he doesn't use the same make at the vets - use a different style. Don't want to associate his own muzzle with the vets.
The basket type would be the best, as it allows dogs to drink and breath easily less likely to over heat.
Black ones, which are material make, which keeps the mouth closed, are not recommended. As dogs cannot drink or allows panting. Should only be used at vets.
heath63
------------- New Year: Hesketh Bank
Feb/March: Red Squirrel
March: lakes
June: Morecambe
Aug: Lake District(not camping camping)
October: Red Squirrel
yes definately use a muzzle first. I would also recommend the plastic basket type. Although people mean well when they say see a behaviourist/trainer first, its not them who will be sued or will have their pet put to sleep if it attacks in a public place. Therefore the right thing to do is use a muzzle so the dog can't attack in public. Then consult a behaviourist to try and get to the bottom of the issues
------------- Good cakes aren't cheap. Cheap cakes aren't good
No they don't Travel Bug. Basket muzzles allow the dog to act normally. and do everything except make contact with their teeth.
And as a separate note;
This dog is dog aggressive not human aggressive. They are two different things, though a dog can be both.
So the OP's daughter has no concerns towards attacks on people in public. that is, unless the DDA 1991 s.3 requirement of fear being caused, is met during a dog -v- dog incident. Or if, the OP's daughter is in Northern Ireland or Scotland where a dog on dog incident is a criminal offence.
The OP's daughter on the whole, only has concerns when it comes to other dogs. And this is an offence regardless if on public or private land.
In fact I have an ongoing case at the moment where the dog involved was muzzled and didn't even make contact with anyone or anything.
Hence why it is important that people don't just, "pop on a muzzle and forget about the problem."
Thanks for all the advice, but some are misunderstanding, he has no aggression towards adults or children, quite the opposite, he's the softest pooch there is, he loves his tickles and cuddles, you can even take his food away while he is eating without a problem.
We have left him with friends who he did not know for a few days, and they have said what a nice dog he is to have around.
It is just other dogs for the first meeting, Fight.
Luckily he is quite small so it is very easy to control him, or even just pick him up, more embarrasing than anything.
------------- As I've told my psychiatrist, you can't have too many tents.
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Topic: Dog muzzle, any good?
