quote:

ORIGINAL: WyldHrt

*FR*
My $.02
A GL will not keep her fom biting, and she may even injure herself with it if the is in the habit of making sudden pulls at the leash. 

Next: It is not a good idea to take a dog who lacks socilization to the point of biting to an event such as a street faire, and the use of a muzzle is likely to make the situation worse rather than better. Think about this from her POV: she doesn't like being touched by people she doesn't know, she is uncomfortable around strangers, she doesn't like it when people "threaten" your family members. So, the plan is to take away her (in her mind) ability to defend herself and then force her into a very uncomfortable situation involving a large crowd of strangers that will likely ratchet up her anxiety? Not good. It would be very similar to taking a shy person *looks around* errr... a shy vanilla person, tying her hands behind her back, taking her into a crowd and inviting people to come touch her. In the dog's case, it is actually a bit worse, since she lacks the ability to understand the situation at all. This is a recipe for bad things to happen when the muzzle is off and she CAN "defend" herself.

It is possible to desensitize her, but the best way is with the help of a good, positive-method dog trainer and a lot of patience and work on your part. You have to start within her comfort zone and slowly work to expand that zone. Basic obedience training is required in order for this to work. Also, many dogs that bite inappropriately "to defend the family" do so because they do not see their humans as Alpha. Most dogs do not truly want to be Alpha but, being pack oriented, they will step into that role if they think their humans are not up to the job. Again, obedience training will help with this. Once she sees that it is your job, not hers, to take care of the family (herself included), she may relax a bit and be more receptive to careful, methodical socialization.  

OK, that was more like $1.25, but I worked with dog rescue organizations for several years and I learned a thing or two about anxious, under-socialized pups. [8D] 

quote:

ORIGINAL: BlackPhx

Try this instead http://leerburg.com/clothmuzzle.htm but please note dogs can still bite with a cloth muzzle on but won't be able to drink or pant. I would suggest using this to BEGIN getting her used to other people handling her.

To safely socialize her.. get several friends together that you know and trust. Put the muzzle on her. Then using leather gloves let them pet her as you hold her gently, praising her the entire time and giving her occasional treats. If she starts to struggle, or tries to snap, let her rest, give her water and give her time to settle down. Do NOT do this more than 5 or 10 minutes Max at a time.

You can also hold a dinner party/BBQ and have friends over, again give them gloves, but this time give them her favorite treats or small bits of liver. As they chat let them lure her closer with small treats and feed her. The trick is to get her to associate friendly people with good things, though she will continue to be suspicious of potentially harmful people.

If she snaps at people when you are walking her who get too close, the minute she starts to be agitated distract her, immediately turn and walk in another direction, and keep it up until she stops seeing everyone approaching as a threat. Praise her the minute she calms down and wash rinse repeat.

It is unlikely that she is ever going to be friendly enough to go through crowds where children are likely to be, but at least you should be able to get her to where she doesn't snap at every strange hand that comes at her. Even the best behaved dog can get very jumpy in crowded situations especially where people will brush up against them or step on their toes.  Children should know better than to run up to a strange dog, but inevitably there will be one when your back is turned..I woudn't risk it at least not until you are positive she will remain calm.

poenkitten

quote:

ORIGINAL: soul2share

OK, the only intelligent and humane thing to do is LEAVE THE DOG AT HOME!  Why put her through all that stress just so you can go to a street fair?  Especially if she's an older dog......she may not be able to bite, but she can still jump and use her feet to "protect" herself and you two. 

This situation calls for a bit of common sense on your part.......teaching an old dog a new trick takes time and lots of patience on the owner's part, and if they don't know what they are doing to begin with, it's only going to compound the issue.  Being sweet when she knows you is not going to save you from a lawsuit, and her the misery of having to go thru quarantine at the pound, and if the powers that be determine her to be a vicious dog, she'll be euthanized...is that something you really want to subject her to?

quote:

ORIGINAL: IAMChristine

now i'm wondering if a gentle leader muzzle leash will keep me from snapping at people.  hey, i'm desparate ok?