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Question: Biting problem. I've tried everything. Is a muzzle o.k. to use on her. I've seen several humane type. They allow the dog to pant, drimk and eat. She has been getting very aggressive. The hand that you decide to use to hold onto her muzzle to hold her muzzle shut gets attacked viscously afterward.
DV - West Haven, Ct.

ANSWER: Since I don't know why you have been holding her muzzle shut, I will have to guess. Some people have heard that they should hold a puppies muzzle shut in response to puppy nipping. This frequently causes aggression. Set your puppy up to be good and not nip at you. First, purchase bitter apple. Spray the bitter apple once in the puppies mouth and then on everything the puppy might want to mouth. Furniture, table legs, electrical cords, you. You never have to spray the bitter apple in the puppies mouth again but you do have to spray all forbidden objects daily. Next, you must always have appropriate toys on hand for the puppy. These toys should be used as pacifiers. Keep them in a fanny pack on you at all times. Anytime you are around the puppy, you should be placing these appropriate toys in her mouth. Nylabones, Kongs, Gummabones, Booda velvets, Cow hooves, Marrow bones are good.Toss and play fetch with these toys. Make sure your puppy is on a premium puppy kibble. Your puppy needs sufficient chewing satisfaction every day. Give your puppy enough exercise every day that she gets tired enough that she wants to lay down. Do this twice a day. It may surprise you how much energy she has. Only hand feed this puppy her meals for at least two months to counteract the negative associations she is making to your hands. She should not eat anything from a bowl. This may seem like a hassle, but it is crucial that you do this. You can gradually do the things that seem to stimulate her to nip while you are feeding her by hand. Keep your movements calm and slow. Keep her on-leash at all times she is around you so she can't leap up and nip when you are moving around her. If your puppy does happen to nip you, freeze, say "no" in a stren voice, turn away from her to shun her and then re-direct her attention onto one of her appropriate toys. Do not respond to her nipping by pinching her lips, gagging her, thumping her nose or any other aggressive action from your hands.