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Originally Posted by CindynEarl
Kirama, you are so resourceful. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. By the way, just to let anyone know, I was told by my breeder to not crate a pup/dog for more than 3-4 hours at a time unless it is overnight (sleepytime); hence, they could get resentful and act up. Just fyi and sharing what was taught me. The holding food in my hand or fist and not allowing Cruiser to have it unless he uses only lips and tongue is improving quite well. I LOVE THIS FORUM! (Now should I give the humane society my muzzle since I won't be using it anymore? or will that be encouraging them to use something that we should not on our canines?)
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I don't think it's a good idea to crate a puppy for long periods during the day. It is sort of like keeping your toddler in a crib all day..how can they explore and learn if they are constantly confined. I am an advocate of tethering a puppy until it is old enough that it won't chew furniture or pee all over the floor, but a pup on a tether in an area where he is around people, noises, and all the activity of daily life is quite different than being confined in a crate all day.
I keep a muzzle on hand, but it is for 'emergencies' only. If your dog is ever seriously injured, they might well bite at anyone who comes near him no matter how well trained or how much he loves you, so a muzzle is really a safe, humane tool when used to handle an injured dog. I had a chesapeke bay retriever rescue that had open sores from diabetes and would lay still while I dressed his wounds- and the pain had to be excruciating, but on the other hand, I had a golden retriever who was a very sweet gentle soul, but once she got a fish hook stuck in her paw while I was walking her and I had to muzzle her before I could remove it.