muzzle for barking?

[jacksonsmum]

I know some people on here might get mad at me and think I am cruel or mean or something but I just have a question regarding muzzles.

When we go camping Jackson barks non stop at the camp site at anything and everything going by or otherwise. Well he barks a lot at home but it isnt as bad.

We just got back home a few days ago and he really kinda wrecked our holiday with his constant barking not to mention the other campers.

Have tried the collars and they dont work on him. Have tried putting him in the trailer for time out. Have made a noise on the table with newspaper and sprayed him with water and nothing works. We tell him to stop in a firm voice and he does for ten seconds and starts again.

Just wondering if especially when we are away like that would it be mean?to use a muzzle for even a short time to get a break. Would it maybe make him stop barking as much when it was off? Maybe if he saw it he would stop? Any suggestions on this?

Thanks

[chachi]

Having it on a short bit may defer him from barking when its off. I dont think using a muzzle is cruel. Now if you told me you were using a shock collar I think that is cruel

[AprilLove]

There is a method of training people use to help with barking, if you train him to bark on command, then you can also train him to not bark.

Another option would be to not bring him on your camping trips?

Sorry, forgot to add, i don't think using the muzzle would deter the behavior, just prevent it while the muzzle is on, so I wouldn't use it for that purpose

[YorkieMother]

Muzzles need to be used with care.
They can and do if not fitted correct restict that ablilty to eat and drink and pant. The only way a dog has to cool off is to pant.

Make sure you desensitize him to the use of it so that it is not stressful for him to have it on. I think all dogs should be used to having one put on and taken off. It is good in an emergancy to be able to get one on so that while they are in pain they and willing to bite you can contain the mouth.


Now that said if you use one I be doing it along with treat in a two prong approach. One you get your needs meet he is quite, but also in that artifically made quiet you teach it. So stay close to the trailer and keep coming back and reward the silence. once he gets the idea that silence is waht you want you can get it on cue as well as the oppoiste which is bark and then wean of the muzzle.

JL

[kalina82]

Originally Posted by YorkieMother

Muzzles need to be used with care.
They can and do if not fitted correct restict that ablilty to eat and drink and pant. The only way a dog has to cool off is to pant.

Make sure you desensitize him to the use of it so that it is not stressful for him to have it on. I think all dogs should be used to having one put on and taken off. It is good in an emergancy to be able to get one on so that while they are in pain they and willing to bite you can contain the mouth.


Now that said if you use one I be doing it along with treat in a two prong approach. One you get your needs meet he is quite, but also in that artifically made quiet you teach it. So stay close to the trailer and keep coming back and reward the silence. once he gets the idea that silence is waht you want you can get it on cue as well as the oppoiste which is bark and then wean of the muzzle.

JL

wouldn't the only way to stop the barking with a muzzle to use a muzzle that closes the mouth all together there by preventing them to drink, eat, and pant anyway?

with the basket muzzles they can eat, drink, and pant, but they'd also be able to bark.

what kind of muzzle should be used for this?

[YorkieMother]

Originally Posted by kalina82

wouldn't the only way to stop the barking with a muzzle to use a muzzle that closes the mouth all together there by preventing them to drink, eat, and pant anyway?

with the basket muzzles they can eat, drink, and pant, but they'd also be able to bark.

what kind of muzzle should be used for this?

It is not my prefered method of teaching quite and I was trying to convey a gentle warning of usuage rather then suggest not to or that it was wrong.
It a good idea if you use with care.

But to give it a try is worth it and nice to see that an effort to change.
But I use a nylon on that is still on the loose side that restricts but does not close the mouth totally. we are not going for bite control But in that restriction they can not pant well enough to keep cool. So that is why I said stay close and treat so that teaching is happening and if you are not far then you can catch them over heating and get through teaching and not using any more faster.

JL

[jacksonsmum]

Thanks for all the replys. I dont really like the idea of using a muzzle. We have thought of not taking him on our camping trips but we dont really have anywhere to leave him and we cant afford a kennel . I dont like the idea of a kennel . We also enjoy having him with us so dont like to leave him behind either.

[YorkieMother]

Originally Posted by jacksonsmum

Thanks for all the replys. I dont really like the idea of using a muzzle. We have thought of not taking him on our camping trips but we dont really have anywhere to leave him and we cant afford a kennel . I dont like the idea of a kennel either. We also enjoy having him with us so dont like to leave him behind either.

I think that you are trying and looking out side the box of the usually way to train a good thing.
I get wanting to have him with you.
Try teaching him to bark on cue at home and then to quite and take it on the road to camping.. remeber dogs do not genralizes so will need to be taught again. Alongwith yor plan it may get the job done.

JL

[rcb722]

I honestly don't know about the general opinion on these, but we have started using one of the ultrasonic noise things for when are dogs bark outside (the neighbors pull up at all hours of the night, starting both dogs on a barking attack) Anyway, it really has worked wonders for the last couple weeks. We'll still get little yips, but it usually calms them down after a couple of barks.

This is the one we have:

The Ultrasonic Barking Dog Deterrent at Hammacher Schlemmer

[FlDebra]

I know you love your dog and want him along on trips but it does not sound like he is really enjoying the camping trips if he is barking "non stop at the camp site at anything and everything going by or otherwise." and wrecking your holiday as well as other campers, then I think he has to stay behind or you all have to give up the camping trips (which you should not have to do). If you canot afford a kennel (there are some good ones -- just takes some searching), how about a friend or family member? What would really be good is to find someone else with a small dog that you could trade dog sitting with.

I am not fond of muzzles at all but have no experience with their use either. Just the idea that they could not eat, drink, pant or bark in an emergency would deter me. I see that you are looking for the best idea with the least impact to your dog though. Wish I had something to help. I have one that barks at unknown people and noises too and can imagine he would be a nervous wreck at a campground. If you have an RV or enclosed camper, you could turn up some music to the point that outside noises might not scare him so much. Wouldn't work if tent camping as the noise would bother others too? Just grasping here.....

[BLowry]

We were having this problem with the girls...we also camp and like to take them with us. The more they go the less they bark...And if they do bark I just sternly say 'ENOUGH"! and they will stop. They don't bark all the time...it's usually only when people walk by. and if someone walks to our site, they bark for a bit then just want to be petted. Have you tried the pennies in a can? My parents are using this method for their little Maltipoo right now and it's working...just put pennies in a can that has a lid and every time he barks shake the can and say NO! it is going to scare him the first few times you do this but, it should work.

Good Luck!

[YorkieMother]

Originally Posted by rcb722

I honestly don't know about the general opinion on these, but we have started using one of the ultrasonic noise things for when are dogs bark outside (the neighbors pull up at all hours of the night, starting both dogs on a barking attack) Anyway, it really has worked wonders for the last couple weeks. We'll still get little yips, but it usually calms them down after a couple of barks.

This is the one we have:

The Ultrasonic Barking Dog Deterrent at Hammacher Schlemmer

They work well on some dogs.
I have one for road trips when we are taking dogs down the show road and are in hotels, We use it as there is way to much coming and going for one little girl.
I also use them for clients that live in apartments that can loose their hoke if the dog does not shhh fast. While we put barking on a cue and work other methods.

JL