i am looking for advise on my 11 month old bullmastiff, he has a fear of strangers and i am also worried he may bite out in fear, i have tried without fail to find a muzzle for him to wear so i can take him out safely and mixing again, but cannot find any to fit him!!!! i am desperate!!!!!!!!!! he loves his family, its just until i get him muzzled i cant relax on walkies, any help or advise would be appreciated!!!!!!!!

Hi there, I don't know if this is any help but if you have a chat with your vet they can usually order most things for you and may have access to a supplier muzzles for large breeds, they may also be able to suggest a behaviourist in your area who may be able to help with this.

Is this Tracy with Louie?

Candy

hiya candy!! yes tracey with louis how are you?? i have been to the vet with louis and i have seen a dog behaviourist who recommended the muzzle, but i have not found one to fit yet, i have looked everywhere and the vets are at a loss aswell!! i need to get one soon as i need to get him mixing "safely" again!! how are you all? tracey

Hi Tracey, first you can buy or order muzzles from( Mikki )they are super muzzle chrome plated steel cage adjustable nose band this is what i buy from them as they are the only ones in this country to fit a bullmastiff, you see i some times have to muzzle one of my males when he goes to vets. Now the next thing is has your boy gone for any one before? if not what makes you think that he will? at 11 monthes he should have been out and about enough to not take any notice of things.

Hiya Corso girl!! He has not bitten anyone yet (He hates the vet though!!) He is just a very nervous dog around strangers, he has seen a dog behaviourist after some chatting suggested a muzzle, he has been puppy training and out walking in main streets and towns with myself since he was 8 weeks Puppy training and after jabs out and about (sorry does that make sense) He hasnt gone for anyone yet when we have been out but i have laid off the town walks because he was getting so scared!! i will have a look is it mikki website? thanks and any more suggestions would be grately received!! thanks tracey

Hi Tracey, there phone number is 01582 20428 MDC PRODUCTS it is the only muzzle to fit a bullmastiff unless you want to ship one over from the states, this one cost about £15 i have been trying to see if i have another one left as i have given one to a friend for her bullmastiff which i rescued and she took on, they dont like them to start with but will get used to it.

Bless you corso, i have tried everywhere thank you ever so much £15 is well worth my sanity and my louis being misunderstood!!! i will ring them first thing tomorrow and what you wrote down on your last message is what i need to ask for? Do they have a website?
so i can order online? sorry to be a pain!!!! thanks again tracey

Hi,
have you tried a halti?
They are loose around the mouth, to let your dog pant, etc when he's good, but if they attempt to lunge or bite, the slip loop around the nose band will immediately close his mouth, if you go to your local pet shop, tell them your dog's breed, and they will find you the right size.

Also try a "figure of eight", i think tht works like a muzzle

hello, Thank you for your advise, but, i have bought a halti and use it every day on walks, the control that i have over him now is excellent and i feel ok with it on him and he doesnt seem to mind!! the thing is with louis it is NOT a lunge and attack all snarling and biting, it's not even a bite because he hasn't used his teeth at all. so i thought a muzzle would be better because i wanted to sit on a bench in a town centre and NOT have people coming up to see him first of all (to get him back into just being around people again) and them ignoring him!! and a muzzle would certainly prevent people from doing that!!!

Tracey, just in case MIKKI dont have them- John Humphris will, www.john-humphris.com or phone him 01306-882598.

what exactly is a 'figure of 8'...and how do you do it? Excuse ignorance :)

Helen

figure of it? yes what is it i have NO idea!!

I would be interested to know what a figure of eight is too.

Tracey do you mind if I email you?

Candy

I was off to buy a halti today for my cocker, but one of the girls in my village told me that they are not ideal for spaniels....... she didn't really explain what she meant by that, i have seen a fair few people walking their ESS's on halti's and in general they look like they do the job, although some of them do end up looking like they are remoulding the poor dogs head! This figure of eight thing, is that based on the same principal of a halti?

The very best is the Dogmatic it fits the head as it should it doesn't cover the eyes like most do and stays in place it cost a bit more but well worth it.

hi candy, you can email me anytime!!!