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Subject: Am starting to think this might be the best option

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NellBell25

Ratastic

06/25/2007 12:10 PM
not just for my peace of mind, but Yogi's happiness. I think I will purchase him a muzzle so he can come with me places he can't now because of his snippiness (namely, places with children like Thanksgiving I go to my Grandma's farm where my little neices and nephews will be, and have been trying to figure out what to do, at one point I decided to stay home but I only see my grandma once a year). I have been researching muzzling becaues I do not want to make him worse, and I don't want him to associate being muzzled with anything unpleasant, so if I go ahead with it it's going to be a very gradual process getting him used to it, lots of treats so he'll associate it with something positive. He will not have to wear it out on our walks, or out hiking, I just can't take the chance of him biting a child but he is happiest with his Mom, and I don't want to have leave him home when I wouldn't have to normally. Any thoughts or advice? The longer he's been with us the better he's been, he even slept on the couch at a friend' house next to their dog, but I'll never be able to trust him around kids.

Mitzy's Mom

Alpha Feist

06/25/2007 1:04 PM
I don't know much about muzzles but sounds like you are trying to make the decision for Yogi's happiness. I agree that if he can't be trusted around children a muzzle is certainly better than having him bite a child....that wouldn't be good for the kid or Yogi. We had to muzzle our old golden retreiver the last 2 weeks of her life as she had started to attack the smaller animals....probably because she was in so much pain (she was old and ill)...we only muzzled her while we were gone at work because we couldn't separate all the dogs and cats. She didn't seem to mind the muzzle too much. Hopefully someone will more experience will give you more insight on muzzles. Sounds like you ARE making progress with Yogi!

Mary Beth, mom to the Lollipop Kids Georgia Foster Mom www.ratbonerescues.com; www.newrattitude.org

rattytatty

Newbie

06/25/2007 1:17 PM
If you feel this is your last resort, and Yogi is absolutely not to be trusted with children, then I agree you should connsider muzzling him. Modern muzzles allow free air passage and drinking, and do not frustrate the dog. The Gentle Leader might be a good option for you. Get Yogi used to it by using treats. Put the muzzle on and give him several treats. Take it off and ignore him for a time...then repeat... again and again.... until he associates the muzzle with the rewards. (may take a week or so) A head collar such as the Gentle Leader will give you control without hurting your dog. Your primary goal is keeping HUMANS safe, and the head collar will give you an edge on that. Let him wear it when you walk him or when visitors come to the house. Please allow him to get used to it before you attempt to walk him with it though... or you may instill fear in him which will ultimately make the aggression worse.

NellBell25

Ratastic

06/25/2007 1:45 PM
I'd like him to be able to be off leash with children at the farm, I did consider the gentle leader but then he'd have to be leashed. I will still supervise of course, because i don't want him uncomfortable if they're manhandling him, and make sure they only pet his hind end (which he is fine with). I would just be scared one of my little cousins would run up to him and throw their arms around him and that he would NOT do well with. I will take your advice with lots of treats and get him used to it before he has to wear it anyqhere, the last thing I want is to make him worse. He is making some progress... When we were at the same people's house with their dogs, a woman picked him up even after I warned her he can be snappy and was being really in his face, cooing and cuddling him. My heart just dropped, but he was absolutely fine, she grinned at me and said "This is just killing you, isn't it?" I was like "yeah, especially since you didn't sign the waiver!" (Joke).

rattytatty

Newbie

06/25/2007 1:55 PM
Unfortunately, it's hard to control the way children interact with animals. They tend to think all dogs are fine to pet and "man handle"... You are wise to take precautions. A little precaution can go a long ways towards some child not getting hurt. You can work toward being able to allow him off lead at the farm... but until you feel that's ok, using caution is the best and safest way...

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