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Bullmastiff muzzle training and recently attacked - HELP!!!!

TylerDurden

Well-Known Member
@LDNBM Hi to another Bane :)
I really don‘t mean to derail your thread. Just a quick question on the muzzle training.
We did take Bane to our regular vet office, but our regular vet was on vacation, so we were attended by another one. She required Bane to wear a muzzle for "her own safety". This had never been necessary before, and we had never even spent a thought on it. He has never shown the slightest sign of aggression and allows the vets and vet techs to touch him, trim his nails etc.
Long story short, we agreed, and the vet tech put the muzzle on (they couldn‘t find one of his size at first).
He did not care one bit. That was his first time and he wasn‘t bothered by it at all. I was quite surprised by that. My question: should we continue practicing it from time to time or do you believe he will be fine again next time? Again, we have never needed one, but it never hurts to be prepared.
 

CeeCee

Well-Known Member
@LDNBM Hi to another Bane :)
I really don‘t mean to derail your thread. Just a quick question on the muzzle training.
We did take Bane to our regular vet office, but our regular vet was on vacation, so we were attended by another one. She required Bane to wear a muzzle for "her own safety". This had never been necessary before, and we had never even spent a thought on it. He has never shown the slightest sign of aggression and allows the vets and vet techs to touch him, trim his nails etc.
Long story short, we agreed, and the vet tech put the muzzle on (they couldn‘t find one of his size at first).
He did not care one bit. That was his first time and he wasn‘t bothered by it at all. I was quite surprised by that. My question: should we continue practicing it from time to time or do you believe he will be fine again next time? Again, we have never needed one, but it never hurts to be prepared.

That's wonderful that it was such a non issue! ...Jealous! :)

Absolutely, keep doing it. Try it in different environments with different stimuli.
 

Boxergirl

Well-Known Member
I agree with CeeCee that it's always a good idea to keep practicing. I'm guessing that the clinic probably used a fabric muzzle intended for short term use? You can simulate that with fabric wrapped around his muzzle. Or you can get an appropriately sized basket muzzle and work on formal training. You never know when it will come in handy.
 

LDNBM

Well-Known Member
Hi Everyone
Haven't forgotten about all your wonderful advice, I thought I'd give everyone an update.
Bane is responding well to the standing in front of him technique, our neighbours thankfully are dog poeple and we having conversations whilst I 'protect' Bane as he tenses up and howls. Within about 5-10 minutes he stops the stare down and sniffs around.
He did not respond well to 'find it' game :(
However is focus is improving, it's no where near perfect but slowly slowly getting there.
Also I don't know if I mentioned before but Bane isn't neutered. We had planned too once he was around 3 but due to his fear aggression we've delayed this for reasons that it may make this worse.
What's everyone's thought on this?
We are seeing a behaviorist next week who has dealt with many large dogs and is confident that neutering will not be required (he is against neutering large dogs)
Oh yes and the muzzle, so Bane can wear it for much longer now although when he tries to sniff and he can't get his nose close enough to the spot he gets frustrated and starts to claw it off. So I think we are getting there!
We went to the vet on Monday with his muzzle on. And it wasn't the muzzle he had a problem with, it was the vet lol
They already knew he had fear aggression and she kind of couldn't stop staring at him and Bane turned on his guard mode. She was also taken aback by his side so I'm assuming he sensed her nervousness.
The most she could do was take his heartbeat (My partner and I had to restrain him from turning around on her, muzzle still on) but lots of growls along the way
Bane was most comfortable when she was talking to us and not looking at him in the eye.
I hope one day we will get there!