When to Use a Dog Muzzle - Why Do Dogs Nip and Bite

Sometimes you have tried everything

Sometimes you have tried everything. From clicker training, to professional dog trainers, nothing will keep your dog from biting and nipping. It may be time to try the muzzle. A muzzle, either a wire basket or a fabric strap, will keep your dog from opening his mouth all the way, and could be your only way of curbing your dog's biting habit. Used properly, it can be a great training tool. Used improperly, a dog owner with little patience may turn to a muzzle because they can't be bothered to train their dog well.Dog training is a necessary part of dog ownership, and one that is often neglected, at least in part, by dog owners. Training can be arduous, and it can take weeks for a dog to learn not to behave in a certain way or how to do a certain task, and many owners, especially those with busy lives and full time jobs, will leave the training until too late, or sometimes lose patience.Nipping is an instinctive dog behavior, therefore you can almost expect a new pup to nip. Although it is an instinctive behavior, it does not mean that it is an acceptable form of behavior. It is not difficult to train a dog not to nip and bite.Firstly, let's understand where dogs pick up their instinctive nipping and biting behaviors.While there are canines of many species, from coyotes, wolves to dingos and dogs, all canines have certain traits in common. When you relate your dog to the canine family, you should also know that domestic dogs are the offsprings of only one direct ancestor - the gray wolf. Over the years, these "gray wolves" have slowly been bred for various tasks, be it the speed and agility of hunting, the powerful nose of a tracking dog, the strength of a fighting or guard dog, or simply for the soft and cuddly pleasure of companionship.Wolves have a pack structure that relies on dominance, and while dogs have been bred to be submissive, to look at you as boss and leader, this innate need for hierarchy and leadership remains. Because the wolf pack structure is part of their living in the wild, wolves always test each other to make sure the leaders are the most powerful among them. This is done by play.Wolves, dogs, and every canine in between, love to play. It is common to see dogs chase and wrestle one another in the dog park. Dog owners are usually very worried when they see their dogs wrestling and putting their mouths on each others neck, however these behaviors are very common when dogs are playing. Nevertheless, this play has undertones of dominance. In the wild, while having a great time together, two wolves would be testing each other while they play-fought, trying to ascertain whether or not the other animal was stronger.Dogs do the same thing. When a dog is wrestled onto its back or flops over in front of another, it is in a submissive position, meaning that the other dog is the "top dog". Since this is how dogs are used to playing, inevitably, your dog will play with you in this way. While this is a great way to bond with your dog, the nipping behavior can worry your neighbors and worse, call the police on you.Training a dog not to nip should be a simple task. It is vital for you to understand that if you do not want your dog to nip, you should not encourage it. One of the most common ways to stop this behavior is to cry out loud when your dog puts his mouth on you. Reward him when he removes his mouth.If your dog is very persistent, a muzzle may be an effective way to curb the behavior. You should not use a muzzle as a form of punishment. Make sure your dog is comfortable around the muzzle first. Lay it out and allow him to sniff it, and get used to it. Later, try touching it on your dogs face. Finally, put it on your dog and remove it soon after, slowly working the amount of time it is on your dog's snout up until he is comfortable wearing it for an extended period of time.You must remember that having a muzzle on your dog will restrict his ability to eat, drink and pant properly. You should not muzzle your dog for long period of time.

When to Use a Dog Muzzle - Why Do Dogs Nip and Bite

By: Clivir Team

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