Is a muzzle okay for my dog?

Question

The dog is a six year old coonhound. She is a foster dog from the local SPCA. She is absolutely great with kids and people, however does not get along with other dogs. I found her a potential great home on a farm, the only problem is that there are three other dogs. I tried to socialize her with my neighbors friendly cockerspanial, but when he got to close to her she snapped at him. Then the dog ran away. I figured that maybe I could help her get socialized with other dogs (without worrying about her harming them) by muzzling her around the other dogs (while watching them closely). Is this a good idea. My roomate says that doing this is cruel because it takes away her natural defenses and because she is old. Could my idea work?
Should I do it?

Thanks for your help

I am not getting rid of her. As a "foster parent" I volunteered to get the dog so I can find her a new home. Once I find her a new home I can help rescue another dog and continue the process again

muzzling her is not meant for a permanent solution. It would only be for brief periods while being supervised.

Answer 1

There's nothing inherently wrong with using a muzzle to prevent your dog from harming other dogs. If you are there to supervise and protect her from harm, you don't have to worry about "natural defenses".

However, make sure you're there with her, because the muzzle will indeed make her feel more vulnerable and less able to protect herself, which can in turn make her even more aggressive toward the other dogs.

Check with some reputable dog training books -- ask your vet for recommendations. There may be other ways to approach her fears.

Answer 2

I'd rather try and find her a home where she is the only dog, some dogs simply do not get along with other dogs no matter what one tries. If that still does not work, I would try another way of getting her used to dogs, beginning with a puppy, an older dog instinctivbely knows when they are dealing with a pup and won't be as harsh. There may be some underlying other cause, and even though I don;t think it's inhumane to muzzle the dog, I just don't think it's the right solution here.

Answer 3

I'd suggest you bring in a trainer...

Also, I don't really think there's anything inhumane about a muzzle but you shouldn't leave it on for too long. I'd suggest you put the muzzle on when she's with other dogs but give her some time alone and remove the muzzle then. I don't know about natural defenses, but it could be that your dog is jealous. Being a foster dog probably means she was abandoned or something and I'm sure the people at SPCA can't be able to give her all the attention, what with other dogs there. (No offense) That's just my opinion though...

Answer 4

don't use a muzzle if if closes the mouth if it's one of the basket muzzles then maybe. But if the dog isn't big on other dogs then maybe thats not a good home. If she's just snapping it's just that she's old and doesn't want to playor have dogs run up to her and may get along fine with other older dogs who give her space. I would try introducing her around the other dogs with them on leash and her off leash with no muzzle, this will allow her to scent out the area and keep them under control. if she runs up to any dog to snap or attack at it first then she needs to be an only dog. The bad thing about using the muzzle will make the dog more nervious and she'll behave differently. If the dogs at the farm are insistant on playing then that will not be a good home if she snaps at them and they give her space and she becomes confortable enough to sit and sniff around and they leave her be then it may be an ok home.

Answer 5

I think a muzzle would be fine. Some people may say it's cruel but safty come's first. You may try to get a professional trainer to figure out why the dog is so aggressive to begin with. In time the problem would be is it gonna advance to attacking a person. I had a friend that had a dog that became sick and started to attack dog's because of some illness, so you may want to have it vet checked just for precaution's. I owned a dog at one point to that attaced other dog's and it advanced to a little girl walking down the street. So please be very careful with that dog. Maybe it would do better in a home with no other animal's or kid's, and with people who would have the time for a trainer. Good luck.

Answer 6

I don't see a problem with this. It may make her stop and think that, "hey, these other dogs aren't trying to hurt me..." and maybe she'll realize that she doesn't need to attack or snap at them, because they are friendly... don't forget to give her a treat when she behaves herself!!! ;-) I don't think that muzzling is cruel, especially if you're right there with her the whole time, so that the other dogs can't beat her up... her being old, doesn't necessarily have anything to do with anything. I still think that the old saying:"you can't teach an old dog new tricks" is a load of crap-it just takes more work. Good Luck!!! ;-)

Answer 7

A pony tail holder to muzzle a dogs is unacceptable and inhumane. A basket muzzle is humane and extremely clever. additionally, there's a lead/leash observed as a comfortable chief. rather of a collar on the neck with a leash related, the graceful chief is a leash around the muzzle. it rather is particularly regular technique to coach a dogs, and extremely humane. some will disagree, yet pinch collars in elementary terms deter for the 2nd with the help of their very action. there is not any training performed. Agreeing with the different posters, it seems such as you ought to get the dogs into some training/obedience classes. optimistically with training and persistence she would be in a position to become a stunning addition on your place. sturdy success, and that i used to be hoping this helped!

Answer 8

i would say definitely NOT. putting a muzzle on her is not going to help her dog aggression. it will probably just make her more uneasy and afraid around other dogs. not only will there be dogs, which she doesn't like, but she will also be muzzled, which most dogs strongly dislike also. at 6 years old, socialization probably won't help a case of dog aggression. sounds like this dog would do great in a home with adults and no other animals. the "great" home on a farm isn't going to be great at all for a dog that doesn't like other dogs!

Answer 9

A muzzel is not a good idea for long periods, she might feel more vunerable and scared as if she got "told off" by one of the other dogs, and cause more aggression towards them which you really don't want. If it was me I would take the dog round for "play time" with the other dogs at first on a lead, for a few minutes then incrrease the times when (if) she accepts them try introducing them one at a time in a controlled enviiroment amd if they seem comfortable with each other let them off together in small bursts but this will take time there is no quick fix for this (if outside and your scared of her running off use a long line).

If any of your friends have nice dogs (ones that don't react) try introducing her to them first

Try taking her to obedience classes for socialisation, manners and expert advice as they give it freely and you will have fun with her and will help her confidence

hope that helps

Answer 10

I wouldnt do it personally. Just her growling could set the other dog off into biting and she wouldn't be able to do anything. There are lots of families that will adopt you dog, as long as she is good with kids don't worry. Help her to have a home where other dogs won't be around. It could be that if a pup was brought into the home and grew up around her then I wouldnt see her having this problem. But your dog is older and set in her ways. I wouldn't expect her to change her behavior. Just find her a one-dog home where she can be loved and spoiled all by herself.