Aggressive Dog, Fearful Dog - Get Muzzle On?

Have an aggressive dog or fearful dog? Need to know how to get a muzzle a dog?

I rarely agree with the use of a muzzle on a dog. Simply because it is not often necessary.

However, for the times that it is needed, here is the best way.

Try the muzzle for the first time when the dog is relaxed and comfortable. Slip it on matter of factly. Do not be sneaky about it - Or the dog will quickly avoid the muzzle at all costs.

If your dog panics at being handled, hold the loose skin on both sides of his neck. When the panic attack ends, put the muzzle on. Panic is likely to happen many times before you get it on. The important thing is to stay there until you finish.

If your dog becomes aggressive when being handled, hold the scruff of his neck until the tantrum stops. Once he has drained himself, put the muzzle on. Do not take it off when the animal is nervous or angry. You can and often will be bitten!

Remove the muzzle only when he is relaxed. Take your time. Never be sneaky, and never stop until you finish your goal.

Rena Murray

Fearful Dog Is Free!

The most extreme fearful dog I ever worked with is twelve years old. And she has spent those twelve years running from humans. Why? After all, her owner is the kindest, most patient dog owner I have ever seen.

The dog, Valentine, has been scared of her own shadow since she was three months old. But now Valentine comes right to the owner when she makes eye contact.

So what was this well-intentioned person doing wrong? Every time Valentine ran, the owner would say "Poor baby, it's okay" and chase her.

"Stop and turn your back."

The owner looked at me as though I HAD to be kidding. It couldn't be that easy! ... But Valentine came to her less than a minute later.

"No way!" That's all the owner could say.

It's a tried and true formula with a fearful dog.

If you aren't accomplishing what you want with your dog, rethink your strategy. You're missing something.

Rena Murray
DogWhisperWoman

"Dog Whisperer" Cesar Millan Mean To Kane?

Most people who have seen National Geographic's "The Dog Whisperer" have seen one of the earliest episodes where Cesar was asked to bring a one-year-old Great Dane over a shiny floor... The one thing the dog wouldn't do. He refused to walk on ANY shiny surface.

Some have criticized Cesar for the way that he simply "did it." A lot of times when a dog is terrified of something, making him move forward, with exposure again and again, is the only way to ease the fear.

My dog was scared silly of motorcycles. He now ignores them. I'm not mean because I made him stay there. In fact, getting him over that fear may save his life some day on a walk!

Cesar wasn't hurting the fearful dog. He did exactly what a Pack Leader would do. A Pack Leader in the wild would either make the fearful dog move, or leave it to die while the rest of the pack went on.

The point is ... They come out of it, even if they are traumatized, much faster than humans do.

Let me make myself clear. There are a few actions of Mr. Millan with which I do not agree, but I am not commenting on this to point out my likes and dislikes of Cesar. All I'm saying is that somebody who criticized him for this obviously had no knowledge of dog behavior.

Fearful Dog - Frightened Owner Get Back on that Horse!

Well, in this case it's a bike, not a horse...

My fully trained dog became spooked by a motorcycle that was going much faster than it should have been as it roared way too closely past us ... and he pulled me off the bike.

I immediately took him to where I knew we would find another motorcycle, and made him sit as it went by. As he relaxed, I then made him walk past it.

We repeated the exercise several times. Then we finished the run, to get both of us past it!

When the dog shows fear, you have to address it. Running away from a situation, no matter what it is, will only increase the problem.