Horrible experience @ pet store...

[buttercup132]

First off I would rather take advice from my veterinarian than a sales clerk at a pet store!

BUT not many vets know THAT much...in some ways I know more then they do and I know that from past experience...and I was a pet store clerk..I know that where I worked they educated us on what we were doing we had to read a huge binder of info on every section in the store and what it dose for the animal and why.

or shocking the sh*t out of them more humane

That wont happen unless the dog ignores the shock, wich most dont.

which doesn't cover the whole snout-it is the thickness of a leash, well it looks like a leash for around the mouth)

If it looks liike that then it was probly a Halti wich isnt a muzzle its a training device to stop dogs from pullling...
a common misconception

I would have the dog surgically debarked and forget about it.

Why on earth would you do that. It would be easier AND cheaper to get them trained by a pro.. debark your dog wth!?!?!


Why not try spraying him with a water bottle?
By getting up your teaching him that he is winnning. You are rewarding him. Hes going to think "I'm barking , oh look shes getting up to tell me I'm good by petting me or tending to me"
Ignoring him all the time would be your best bet then squirt him a few times

The flea thing well...shes dumb for saying that
why make the dog even more uncomfortable?
The stuff on the dog dosent work right away it works within a month or a few month time...stupid girl

I agree they shouldnt be selling products they dissagree with and if they are then keep their mouts shut. Oh well its their loss no money for them!
I think if they are going to be like that with alot of people they will looose buisness fast.

[Bronx'sBower]

I agree with everyone and I thank you for your input. I realize I need to work with Bower ALOT more but I know I can do it, I just don't have much experience as our first pup died when he was 6 months, he was very obedient but he didn't live long enough to hit his "teen" years.
I did email the company, I wasn't rude but I definately made them know how she made me feel. You know it's pretty bad when a stranger makes you think twice on how good of a mom you are...I love my Bower and would never do anything to hurt him.
So last night and today we have been practicing "come" and he is getting much better. He has always had a problem with this, he acts like he doesn't hear us calling him. So I took his fav treat and let him sniff and lick it then walked back a couple small steps and said "come" and he did but not before ignoring me for a couple minutes. I just had to be patient and keep calling him, he eventually came and got the treat and now this morning everytime I tell him come he does.....I know I sound like an idiot but we really fell off the wagon and for him to pick it up so easily (I know it isn't over yet) is wonderful. Bower does really good when we are walking, I started the "heel" command as soon as we got him; he walks with me great and when he sometimes stops to take a sniff I can say "heel" and he'll fall right back in line.
He also has the "sit" command mastered but he also likes to shake so now we are teaching him to only shake when we tell him to. We tried it a few times last night and today and he is really catching on fast. I know he is an extremely smart dog...I just think with my lack of experience I am not being as smart as I could or should be.
My boss told me when we started potty training him that we had to spend atleast 3 solid days devoted only to him and his training. It only took 2 days to have him trained to potty outside and he has never had an accident since. I think this is how I am going to have to go about teaching him...Please don't think I am ignorant...I'm just lacking experience but am quickly learning.

To those that agree with using a shock collar-I guess I just didn't know. My fiance' suggested we buy one but I thought it was just his easy way out of not training Bower. I don't think there is anything wrong with using a shock collar but I think I was more upset that she told me I was inhumane~to me personally I think muzzles, citronella and shock collars are to some degree inhumane but it also depends on what purpose they serve.