Muzzles

[pitoreskni]

I was wondering what other cocker owners think about the use of muzzles to stop biting? At Milo's first puppy class tonight the trainer suggested using a muzzle as one way of stopping biting but I think its a bit harsh. We've been perservering with giving him time outs every time he bites during play and its starting to work so using a muzzle isn't something we're going to consider and it's not something I've really seen recommended on here so I wondered if it was maybe an older technique that not so many people use anymore? The trainer was by no means suggesting it was the only way to stop biting (she also suggested distracting him with a toy), it just seemed a bit like a method that would scare them into not biting rather than going with the 'praising for good behaviour, ignoring the bad' technique of training.

[Top Barks]

muzzle's have their use and i would not hesitate to reccomend one to an owner who's dog posed a threat to injure someone or something. They are also a useful tool to stop dogs scavenging food.
The muzzle will not teach a dog not to bite it will only prevent it.
If introduced correctly dogs can learn to associate muzzles with the good things in life.
I would not however recomend a muzzle as a first choice for a puppy who is play biting.Distraction with a toy and steering the play away from human skin would be a good first option.
Keep your time outs brief and make sure that you are consistant in letting the dog know this behaviour is unacceptable.
Bayley my youngest dog still likes to try and mouth my hand if I try and enguage in a bit of rough and tumble so I yelp really loudly and stop the game for a few minutes.

[Terri Carpenter]

When Holly was a pup if she caught us with her teeth we would say OUCH loudly and stop playing - she soon caught on.

I agree with Top Barks, a muzzle won't teach a dog not to bite, it will only prevent them from doing so.

Good luck

[Joules]

Personally I would never use a muzzle to stop play biting.  As has been said it will only stop the pup making contact rather than train them not to bite.  Far better to teach them not to by distracting them with a toy, giving them plenty of things they can bite, time out etc.  I think playing with other pups/dogs is useful too as they other dog will let them know what is not acceptable.  I found puppy classes helped Coco to learn how to interact with other dogs much better and that included not biting too much!  It is however natural behaviour for a puppy - it is how they explore their surroundings - and as such is something that has to be put up with for a while 

[Helen]

agree 100 percent with mark (top barks).

puppies play bite - this is normal puppy behaviour.  what we need to do with our pups is introduce and instill bite inhibition, which is what has been described.

i would question your trainer on this as muzzles may prevent a dog biting but they don't teach an alternative behaviour.  once the muzzle is off the problem remains.

[miche]

Agree with what has been said already.  When playing with mine with as pups, it they did bite we would stop play immediately and sometimes make a high pitched sound as if we were in pain.

I was watching my 2 cockers play last night.  Herbie bit Mikey, he just got carried away and bit him.  Mikey screamed out and stopped play immediately, he looked very hurt and would not give Herbie any eye contact at all.  Herbie then tried for a minute to get him to play but he knew he's overstepped the mark so then resorted to plain old doggie creeping, wagging his tail and whole body and trying to get Mikey's attention by sculking around him, licking his face nuzzling him.  Within 5 mins they were playing again, this time without biting. 

So if that's how dogs stop play biting, I guess it would work for us humans too

[Max X 2]

muzzle's have their use and i would not hesitate to reccomend one to an owner who's dog posed a threat to injure someone or something. They are also a useful tool to stop dogs scavenging food.

If introduced correctly dogs can learn to associate muzzles with the good things in life.

I did a 6 week training course with Max & the trainer also suggested a muzzle for Max as he has a bad habit of running off to the car parks looking for food (its sometimes dropped on the car park where we regularly run him - right next to the bins  ). 
I confess I haven't tried it yet & am working on the recall before he has a chance to sprint in that direction.
Top Barks: Would you suggest a basket muzzle?  I'm sorry to go off the subject slightly here.  Do you have any tips?
Thanks Maxine

[Cob-Web]

Sorry - coming into this late, but I really don't like the idea of muzzling a puppy as a solution to playbiting, and would be seriously worried about the credentials of any dog trainer who suggested it, to be honest 

[Joules]

I was watching my 2 cockers play last night.  Herbie bit Mikey, he just got carried away and bit him.  Mikey screamed out and stopped play immediately, he looked very hurt and would not give Herbie any eye contact at all.  Herbie then tried for a minute to get him to play but he knew he's overstepped the mark so then resorted to plain old doggie creeping, wagging his tail and whole body and trying to get Mikey's attention by sculking around him, licking his face nuzzling him.  Within 5 mins they were playing again, this time without biting. 

Exactly!  That is why puppy classes and socialisation are so important!

[PennyB]

Play/puppy biting is all part of normal behaviour for a pup and while its not nice we all have to go through it, and the only way to do it through patience and positive training.


I personally would say never use a muzzle on a puppy.

If you think cocker pups bite hurts then you should feel a terrier pup's bite

[daunting]

can't really disagree with what has been said and i too would question why a trainer thinks that muzzling is a way to stop it ?!


Penny will compare notes on terriers playbiting as i am having one in tomorrow 
thankfully though ( cos of Saffi destroying it ) i don't have a cat/dog flap with which pup could cause bum biting mayhem