Muzzle?

I don't know if this topic belongs in here or not.
Anyway I need some advice,do you recommend using a muzzle on a 14 week old staffy? I wouldn't really want to but i feel I need to.
On our walk yesterday Jett attacked another dog and whilst we were walking past tesco he tried to go for a woman in a burkha.I don't want people thinking i've trained him to attack people just because of their appearance.
Also my girlfriend is petrified of him when he has a "mad half hour" now since she saw him take a chunk out of my arm last night.
I'm now re training him to not jump on the sofa as I don't want him getting anyones faces like he got me last night and I'm looking into training classes.

I tried a muzzle on Blue as he can be dog aggressive at times. Maybe it was my fitting but he would just paw it off. Sometimes if dogs feel restricted it makes them worse (It did with Blue)
If I was you I would take him to classes and keep him on the lead. Can't bite anyone if you have him next to you on a lead. Blue also doesn't like burka's, no idea why but he growls everytime he see's someone wearing one.
Jett is still very young so if you can get him to classes and have the help of professionals on how to correct this behaviour you will probably see a big imrovement within weeks.
Keep us all informed on how you get on

No u shouldnt muzzel a 14 week old baby.....u should train him! He hasnt a clue how he should behave or react to different things its up 2 you to praise the good behaviour and correct the bad, its the only way he will learn, Good luck x

thanks guys.Just took him out and he seemed fine,apart from the odd nip at my jeans!! I think he just gets a tad excited.But then again if i was as small as him and saw a cloaked figure coming towards me i'm pretty sure i'd be a bit scared like he was.

As said its training, persistance and more training. Also as Blue said classes may be a great idea to get him socialised. A 14 week pup certainly doesn't need a muzzle x

I'll take everyones advice here,i really didnt want to muzzle him because i thought he was too young.we're at puppy playgroup tomorrow so i'll ask the vet about local training classes.I really don't want him attacking other dog walkers or their dogs.

Ayden-J wrote:I'll take everyones advice here,i really didnt want to muzzle him because i thought he was too young.we're at puppy playgroup tomorrow so i'll ask the vet about local training classes.I really don't want him attacking other dog walkers or their dogs.

Definitely ask. To be honest, if I thought a pup as young as that needed a muzzle, I'd say that it was genetically vicious & should be pts.

Now, before anyone jumps down my throat, no, I don't think that's the case with your pup - it's a very rare situation indeed! I think all your pup needs is training & firm & consistent guidelines about what is acceptable & what isn't.

Stop your pup from jumping up, and if necessary keep him off chairs/sofas/beds at least until you are sure that you can control him. If he jumps up, just turn your back and ignore him - don't look at him, talk to him or touch him. If he does it again, turn away again. If he keeps doing it, don't sat a word, just put him out of the room until he's calmer & then let him back in. Don't interract with him in any way at all until he is calm. Then you can give him quiet praise.

You will also need to tell everyone that is going to come into contact with him to do the same thing. If you're in the street & someone wants to stroke him, tell them what to do & explain it by saying he is 'in training'.

As to the Burkas, a lot of dogs don't like them. Dempsey's the same, but then he also doesn't like people with hoods up! I think a dog likes to see a face. If he barks at someone, turn him around to face away from the person, and tell him to sit. Keep him there, nice & quiet for a few seconds & then go back the way you were facing. If he narks at them again, repeat until he's got the message!

If he gets a bit over excited whilst playing, hold him still (not easy) and gently stroke inside the top of his hind leg, where the fur is really thin. Most dogs will go very still (especially males) and get a stupid satisfied expression on their faces! Works 9 times out of 10!

thanks Caryll I'll try that when we next go for a walk

As to the Burkas, a lot of dogs don't like them. Dempsey's the same, but then he also doesn't like people with hoods up! I think a dog likes to see a face. If he barks at someone, turn him around to face away from the person, and tell him to sit. Keep him there, nice & quiet for a few seconds & then go back the way you were facing. If he narks at them again, repeat until he's got the message!

Your right, because dogs use body language to tell what one another are thinking and humans dont have four legs a tail or a snuffly nose, they rely on our faces to see what we are thinking. My older bitch has never really been fussed about anything but she is super-confident. My youngest dog who is now 2 used to hate umbrellas, burkas, motorcycle helmets, anything that covers someones face. She wont try to nip or anything but stands there barking with her hair up looking terrified. We eventually got her used to these things by showing her the person sporting them wasn't going to hurt her and just taking her out lots.

Dont muzzle your pup, keep training

thanks for all your replies guys,I've started walking Jett with my Uncles 6 year old Cairn Terrier "Billy Bronco"and he absolutely LOVES it!! He never once paid attention to the other dogs on the field and spent the whole time following my uncles dog and copying him.I decided to take them round past tesco as they still had lots of energy in them and we passed two women wearing burkas again,he gave them the quick once over and trotted along back to my side.he got lots of cuddles and a cheeky dog sausage when he got home.

Well done Jett, keep up the good work

Good news! Can you borrow Billy Bronco (great name!) all the time?

It's a possibility since my uncle only lives round the corner might think i'm trying to steal his dog off him though lol

good to no he geting along beter some times my 3 bark at ppl i just tell them no and ther geting the idea but pups just like being vocal i think and some times the get nippy let the paly with some older dogs i did that they play with some yorkies a jack russlel and two staffs

dont muzzle him plz

Thats great news, when they have a role model they dont have to worry about things! If the other dog isn't scared then he will know theres nothing to be frightened of.