It should almost be like a 'den' where they feel safe. It should not be a negative experience for the dog. It is NOT for very long periods (as my mother's boss found out). you're going out to the store or when we had puppies we'd put him/her in there overnight to keep them from wetting around the house. My understanding/experience, Tony, is that crate or kennel training is the use of a metal (or other) 'cage' appropriate to the dog's size where you put a nice bed and things to keep him/her comfortable when you need him/her contained. She's also a jumper - almost knocked my son down a set of stairs. The Airedale my parents have now is their first female, and she is mouthy about everything! She's not a mean biter, but just is always snappy. Von Fuct, I understand how frustrating chewing dogs can be. People are only trying to give suggestions, so let's not turn this into a shoving match, okay? No one is out to debate the value of properly used muzzles.

Perhaps you could present them with research on both subjects (crate vs muzzle)Ĭrate training can be abused of course: my mom's boss kept his Airedale in a crate all day long and couldn't understand why the poor dog was bonkers upon being let out. It's sad that your roommate doesn't understand the potential benefits. A muzzle could get caught on any number of things within the home, and cause alot more trouble than a dog in a crate. We have always crate trained them, and it has never harmed them. My family has owned Airedale Terriers for years and anyone with terriers will tell you what chewers they are. The fact that you yourself had suggested it to your roommate tells us that you knew of it too the wise thing would've been to just state you'd done so and leave it at that, without getting defensive. No one was slamming you by suggesting crate training. While you did ask for a pattern, Von Fuct, it isn't outside of the range of this forum for people to try to give constructive advise on alternatives.

if anyone has a pattern that will fit my 62-year-old mother-in-law, I'd appreciate a holler. A dog left alone trying like crazy to work a muzzle off his face can get into lots of trouble and perhaps hurt himself.Ĭrating or even dog-proofing a spot in the garage, laundry room, bathroom or some small area where he can be comfortable in for a few hours would probably be a better idea.īut. Even with the easier breeds to muzzle, the muzzles are short-term, rather uncomfortable and distracting devices designed for veterinarian visits or other such events. I fouthed it, and not to get on a soapbox (don't even know what one looks like) but to make a muzzle heavy-duty enough to keep a Pitt Bull muzzled (somewhat short snouts for so much lower jaw, as well as all that extra jowlage and neck skin that was I believe is a trait bread into such dogs to, among other things, thwart their jaws from being held shut) it would almost have to be along the lines of Hannibal Lechter's device. And yes, the dog is stopped from doing the negative behaviors when we are around to witness them, it's when he's alone that he get's in to trouble. Yes, Duke is still a young dog and I'm sure he'll grow out of it, but I can't afford to have him eat everything in the house until he does. I have looked at other options as well, such as Bitter Apple but I would have to dose my entire house with the stuff to make a difference. More like an hour or two a day when the dog is left alone. Spence, no, I don't expect to keep the muzzle on 24/7. And no, it's not to get in to the dog muzzle buisness, it's just to get one that fits correctly, is safe and works. Duke is not an aggressive dog at all, so the muzzle is not to control biting, just his chewing. I went online and looked as well but wasn't able to find any patterns for a leather training muzzle. I talked with a couple there that had two pit bulls and they said their dog broke the muzzles they sold there in less than 30 seconds. UKRay, I did go to the pet store last night before posting this thread and all they had were flimsy cloth muzzles for smaller (weaker jawed) dogs.

He has nyla bones, kongs, and various other chew toys but he still chews on things he shouldn't be when he's alone. It's when he's left alone (with my dog, Bella, a 20lb 8 year old beagle) that he tends to chew and eat everything he can get his mouth on. When he's supervised, he's fine for the most part. He's a 6 month old pit bull and still chewing on everything from the carpet, the wood door jams, electronics cables and plugs, the furniture, etc.

Trauma, it's a personal job, not a commissioned piece and the purpose of the muzzle is to keep my roommates dog, Duke, from chewing on everything in the house when he is left unsupervised (which isn't that often).

Leather puppy muzzle pattern