Muzzles

[sarrad72]

Hi, Artie is a very barky boy when we are out walking when he sees other dogs and people, he gets so excited cos he wants to play.
Pops isn't really bothered, she likes playing but doesn't go for all the bum sniffing and other dog behaviour. This last week or so tho, when we are out, Artie has been bounding up to people without dogs and barking madly at them, now I'm sure he's just asking for treat but he is a big boy now and with a deep woof, and not all people are enthusiastic about lolloping lurchers skipping round them. I can't always catch and lead him, sometimes they're round a bend or something. So I'm thinking about muzzling him, I don't want to and I'm sure he would never bite anyone but I don't want to leave it to chance, some people are not understanding and might accuse him. So, can you recommend a good muzzle please? They wear their house collars and martingales when out but they both have a head harness too. Thanks, Sarah.

[gazer]

I'd muzzle him to be on the safe side, like you say some people just don't get the lurcher enthusiasm .  Also if he got so excited he may nip, not out of aggression but sheer excitement and that's just not worth the hassle it may bring.

The breezy muzzles which are very good and light for hounds can be found on the forum, 'Cadbury' I think does them.  Failing that Ebay 'muzzle' and loads will come up, that's usually where I get mine as when I need one I need it quick.

Jacqui x

[Lisa]

Go back to basics aswell Sarah with his recall. Load yourself with tasty treats like cheese or salami sausage. Unleash him as usual let him play, call him back in praise, reward, walk on with him on lead for a minute then let him off again. Repeat througout the duration of the walk. Once he is recalling regularly add lead on as a command. Once he gets the hang of the fact that returning for his lead on does not signal the end of the walk only merely a minute on but fed treats he will start to be more attentive. Also when he is heading up in front of you with no distractions and stops naturally use a wait command as he stops then recall again and reward. All this will start to give you better control of him whilst out and about. Start to keep a closer look on the horizon and scan yourself. Try to get him on lead before he spots the other person and get him under control before he has the chance to approach and bark. It can be very scary for others especially non dog people and you dont want a set to x

[sarrad72]

He's not bad generally, typical saluki recall!! He will wait when he's told and Poppy rounds him up and makes him come back. It's just as I say, coming round a blind corner or over a hill. I'm always hyper hyper vigilant cos with having Conan my rottie, I was always on dog alert cos he was very over enthusiastic too. I've always got loads of treats most of which Artie claims cos Poppy not really bothered. Pops is sooooo good, doesn't matter what she's doing, she comes straight back. We will work on the recall tho Lisa, as I say, he's not bad but there's plenty room for improvement lol. I'm thinking he's being a bit of a teenager and asserting his independence!!!

[sarrad72]

Am off to kennelgate for temporary muzzle until I can order one of the site!

[tinar]

Daley has a muzzle which I carry with me on his walks and it gets popped on him if he starts to get over-excited and bark and bounce- then removed again when he calms down, because he has a huge bark, huge teefs and nips when he's excited/agitated.

I tell people it's a precaution as his mouth is at hand height, and mid bark he throws his head around [as they can see], and he lunges -which can be intimidating.

He does get funny looks now and again but people are mostly used to it now, and he has learned not to make a fuss when he sees the dogs he reacts to on a regular basis [through fear].

It works, because I'm not getting stressed about whether he might unintentionally nip someone, so i can be more relaxed about situations

[sarrad72]

That sounds just like Artie lol, he throws his head round too. Poppy is so refined, polite and ladylike and he's just bonkers!! He just wants everyone to love him but unfortunately not everyone does. All his regular friends, dogs and people, adore them both, there's one couple we see, they have rescue dogs, and they always say that their two never play with other dogs like they do with Pops and Arts. We had the temporary muzzle on last night and this morning and it's been very amusing but very effective lol. As you say, I'm not worrying now that he'll accidentally catch someone. Xx also went back to basics with recall, he really isn't bad, it's when selective deafness takes hold!! Xx