Use muzzle while socializing???

[musicdeb]

It's me and Titan again.

I was thinking about using a muzzle so I can take him to dog parks and areas where people walk around so I can socialize him. Think it's a good idea.

My only experience with him when he had been with me for about 2 weeks, he would not let my mom enter my apartment. He went into full red zone. My mom left and said she'll never return to my apartment. Thank God!

I found a site to measure a mastiff for a muzzle and did his measurements but I think I may have a hard time finding a muzzle at Petco or Petsmart. I may have to order online.

Thoughts my fellow Mastiff owners?

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

Tha's actually not a bad idea and it protects you.

I would try Petco or Petsmart anyway you never know also you can have someone measure for you.

 

[musicdeb]

I'm going to Petco and Petsmart today to find a muzzle. Using the muzzle helps me to relax until I socialize them.

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

Keep us posted!

 

[ruthcatrin]

If he'll tolerate it, and it'll make you more comfortable managing him in public, then I'd say go for it. Plus it might help keep some of the idiots from approaching the dog before asking....

 

[Oak Hill Farm]

I think it's a good idea. It will help you relax, Which will help him.

I would recommend a basket muzzle he can drink and pant in, you may have to order one, I am not sure what the chain pet stores carry.

I would also recommend you let him wear it in the house off and on a few days, so he becomes accustomed to it before you head out.


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[chuckorlando]

We use one on Kona sometimes. Mostly at the vet. Works great. We boght ours at petsmart ot co one of them. They carry them but only like one or two at a time here. So if no ones got it you win. hahahaha

I would start off i less crowded areas still though so as not to overwhelm the pup.

 

[musicdeb]

As always, thanks for the great tips! I went to a Petsmart today and they didn't have the appropriate sized muzzle for Titan and it was mesh. I agree, Ruth, I should look into basket muzzles. Good point...have him wear it in the house before we venture out. You also, chuckorlando, good point. I'll start him off easy when we start the more populated areas of the world.

Thanks all, as always you rock!

 

[ruthcatrin]

Basket muzzle was Oakhill, but thats ok. Good luck!

 

[Abe1337]

I got a custom made muzzle for my corso at http://www.all-about-mastiff-dog-breed.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=24&products_id=151. It's a wire basket muzzle and I had to measure his head & muzzle etc. They give you directions on what to measure at the website. It allows him to pant and drink water; It's perfect and very well made. He is muzzled whenever he meets new people and dogs. I can't risk it.

 

[musicdeb]

Thanks Abe! I researched basket muzzles after OHF suggested the basket muzzle. I'll check out the site. Thank you again!

 

[-deebo]

I've had Stryker on a muzzle for awhile now, and I find that he acts the same. I am relaxed when I walk him too. Also when I had first tried to introduce him to a male pup, (with the muzzle on) he started growling. And then a week or so later, I tried again (without a muzzle) and they got along great. I don't know what it is, I can't walk him without him freaking out at every single dog we walk by or near. Yet we went and visited a pup he hasn't seen since he was about 5 -6 months old (he is now a year and 2 months?) and he was completely fine! I also know people say that if you get him fixed, he will calm down; but I have the biggest fear that something wrong will happen

 

[Lindsay]

I have a dog agressive bullmastiff and he wears a muzzle whenever we go out for walks to ensure no accidents happen. He's well behaved at home but when he sees another dog he goes crazy. I got a nice rubber basket muzzle from the pet store that he can drink and pant in. the muzzle gives peace of mind while training.

 

[musicdeb]

Titan used his muzzle last weekend for his first play date in TX. It helped me to relax and he relaxed. He was a real gentleman around the 2 female EM's who are 8 months and 5 months. I ordered Titan's muzzle from Mastiff Gear. It's a basket muzzle with leather strapping. He doesn't care to wear it but he accepts it. I'll use the muzzle when I have to take him to the vet or to a public area until I see how he does or should I say, how I do...

 

[CowboyBebop]

If he'll tolerate it, and it'll make you more comfortable managing him in public, then I'd say go for it. Plus it might help keep some of the idiots from approaching the dog before asking....

I wonder if a muzzle on a puppy would have the same result. Castle's biggest problem is that he overly likes other dogs, and any person who shows him attention. He received tons of socialization as a pup, and I think that it taught him to get excited when people talk to him in a baby voice. We’re making headway of getting him to remain calm with strangers, but I wonder if he hadn't received AS much attention from strangers if he might be a bit calmer around them.

 

[musicdeb]

I'm not sure CowboyBebop. I would grateful that your puppy so so socialized. I wish Titan would have been socialized as a puppy, I think we would be doing so much better when he see other dogs and men. He's ok with women and kids.

How old is he? If he's under 1 yr old, then he's being a puppy. Show him what you want him to do around strangers and reward him. I'd recommend no reward such as petting or telling it's ok when he exhibits behavior you do not want.

 

[CowboyBebop]

Musicdeb, he is 14 months. Old enough to know better and were working on it. He'll get better I'm sure; he has improved a lot just not as much as we would like. The problem is that the strangers reward him instantly with the baby talk and some people don't even ask to pet him they just start doing so as we walk. Actually, that’s more the case when my wife walks him. People tend to give me my distance when I walk him. It must be my massive beard, lol! I've been mistaken for a biker on several occasions.

 

[Smokeycat]

Musicdeb, he is 14 months. Old enough to know better and were working on it. He'll get better I'm sure; he has improved a lot just not as much as we would like. The problem is that the strangers reward him instantly with the baby talk and some people don't even ask to pet him they just start doing so as we walk. Actually, that’s more the case when my wife walks him. People tend to give me my distance when I walk him. It must be my massive beard, lol! I've been mistaken for a biker on several occasions.

At 14 months he still has a puppy mentality. I have a 15 month old Irish Setter X and depending on the distractions he will still go nuts when people pay attention to him or worse my EM. One thing his breeder told me was not to expect a mature dog until at least two when his brain actually catches up to his body. Lol.

 

[CowboyBebop]

I'm sure he will calm some as he ages, but IMO he is old enough to listen still. He followed commands like a champ since he was 10 weeks old. Getting distracted during training is acceptable if he listens when needed.
The biggest problem is when people come over. He is getting better by the day towards greeting strangers on walks, however; he barely listens when it is another dog, especially if that dog is excited to see him.
Castle has been socialized to the point that he thinks ALL dogs are friendly and want him in their space. He has been bitten/nipped a handful of times, and not once did he realize he shouldn't get back into the other dog’s space. He once had a small terrier hanging from his lip and trying to shake Castle like he was a rat, ha! After we pulled the terrier off of Castle he immediately tried to go back to the dog! He is completely STUPID about other dogs' body language.

 

[musicdeb]

CowboyBebop, I agree with SmokeyCat, he's still a puppy. At almost 3 yrs old, Titan is now coming into his own. I remember Titan last year and he was all over the place especially with other dogs. He did very well on his first play date last Sunday with 2 female Mastiff puppies. I believe you will see a change in Castle in about 8 months or so. As long as you reward Castle when he does what you want him to do in regards to other dogs, then he'll catch on. At 14 months old, he's like a 2 yr old human.