The Muzzle

Mic---How do they run size wise?? I'm thinking Willow would probably be a size 5?? Does that sound about right compared to what you use for like size breeds. She's got a more moderate muzzle than most chows.

 
When you order a basket muzzle it should offer specific measusrements.  I have not ordered muzzles from the site I gave you.  I just thought they had good pictures.  The site I order from is
 
[linkhttp://www.rayallen.com]www.rayallen.com[/link]  goto "products", then to "muzzles"
 
They have the best muzzles I have ever seen.  I personally use the "German Muzzle". 

If it were not for muzzles, I would have lost a lot of fingers and probably had to have plastic surgery on my face (cocker spaniel lunged at me in the bathtub.). The one serious bite I did get (sent me to the hospital because it wouldn't stop bleeding) was from a Basset Hound. I tried to trim his very very thick nails. He was giving such subtle signals that he was uncomforable, I didn't pick it up. I blame myself.
We usually have to use it for the face/feet and most often nails. A lot of terriers are really bad about their nails.
 
I'm a groomer, I guess bites comes with the territory, but I know for certain that I would not work at a grooming salon or vet's office that did not use muzzles. Of course I like the "softie" muzzles that go over entire face rather than just around the muzzle. It doesn't cut off breathing or anything, but the dog cannot pinch you if the muzzle is a little bit too big. Bites that are caused by pinching hurt too! Lots of bruises.
[linkhttp://www.groomerschoice.com/prod-desc_restraints_muzzles_pro-guard-softie.html]http://www.groomerschoice.com/prod-desc_restraints_muzzles_pro-guard-softie.html[/link]
 

Pinching HURTS!!!

Emma has her own muzzle. She wears it for vet visits, and nothing else, now. She's calmed down enough that I don't need it for trimming her nails, any more. I used to need it, if I wasn't prepared to lose blood.... Anyways, she settles down, immediately, when I put it on her. It seems to calm her, as well. It's a regular, nylon with a plastic clip, cheapy grooming muzzle. She never wears it for more than a couple of minutes. If I had to walk her in one, I'd use a basket muzzle, like the kind Mic posted. I almost bought her one of those, when I was considering going to terrier trials. You have to muzzle the dogs for racing, or they'll fight. They're too drivey to be that excited together.

Thanks, Mic!!
 
We are going to try one from the first site you posted.  I checked out the German muzzle, a little too "much" for Willow. 

I tried some of the soft muzzles on Izzy today at the pet store and figured out she needs a size 2, but she freaked out and wouldn't stop scratching at her nose and flip flopping around until it came off.  I also tried a size three on her b/c it was a little less constricting of her muzzle but would still prevent her from biting someone if she tried, but it was too big and too close to her eyes, almost cutting into them so that wasn't an option.  If I don't make these things tight she always manages to get them off but the 3 fit her mouth better, but was just too long.  I got her nails clipped today and we were going to try it out for that but I was afraid she would be WAY too streesed out for a new muzzle and a nail clip all at once and really fight me on it in the future.  Instead, I just had to had to hold her down and hold her head away from the groomer so she wouldn't try to nip. 
 
Mic, do you think the basket muzzle you posted would work better for her or will she probably freak out with it too making me just have to just force her to wear one if I want her to?  She freaks out and flip flops around trying to get it off when I put things over her muzzle...she also did this with the gentle leader so we just stuck with a regular harness.  I am worried about her hurting herself with the way she reacts.  Otherwise, how do I condition her to this?   

Does anyone has any idea what kind/brand of muzzle would fit my flat-faced, 12 lbs Pekingese? I have not be able to find one that fits for his small flat face.  Any inputs will be appreciated.

A cat muzzle

They have muzzles specifically for brachiocephalic dogs.  The nose hole on a cat muzzle may not be pib enough for you to use on your dog.
 

Mic, do you think the basket muzzle you posted would work better for her or will she probably freak out with it too making me just have to just force her to wear one if I want her to?  She freaks out and flip flops around trying to get it off when I put things over her muzzle...she also did this with the gentle leader so we just stuck with a regular harness.  I am worried about her hurting herself with the way she reacts.  Otherwise, how do I condition her to this?   

 
I always prefer the basket muzzle.  A lot of dogs freak out when you put something around the muzzle.  I just leash them up and run them as soon as I get it on. The running distracts from the muzzle and they get over it after a few minutes.

As a trainer and former groomer, I have used many different muzzles.  For grooming, the Mikki muzzles are fine, since they don't stay on long.  For training, I prefer a basket muzzle, either plastic or light metal, but I do run a tie back to the collar for safety.  When my students look horrified that a muzzled dog is coming to class, I just tell them "hey, that's the safest dog in the room" LOL.

but I do run a tie back to the collar for safety.

 
Anne--Can you please describe what you do??  Willow has gotten her mesh muzzle off a couple of times.

Emma once flipped her muzzle off, mid accupuncture session.... Not exactly the safest thing. I'd also like to know how to reinforce it.

I'd use it on the muzzle flippers I groom, too. It's always scary when you're brushing away at the back end and the dog turns around and grabs you....

Never had to use one with my dogs ( except our old dog which was very scared of the Vet, and would snap; that was the only time we had to use one though) but I'm not against them, if used properly like the people on here. One of my friends ( her dog was a full sister to mine) had an agressive dog and they used a muzzle with her, for socialization, and protection in public. It does help the dog feel more secure I think, and of course helps the owner feel more secure! She used a nylon/mesh muzzle which buckled in the back. 

Ash bit a stranger one time, no skin was broken or anything, but it was enough for me to muzzle her whenever we go near people. She is the most pathetic thing when it's strapped on. She won't move at all. She just sits there and hangs her head and I have to drag her until she finally gets up and then she walks so slowly, like her legs are heavy or something. She won't go to the bathroom with it on either. I put it on her whenever we're coming or going from my apartment and when she goes to the vet. I use the mesh muzzle, but she has gotten it off. I think I will try one of the ones Mic recommended.
 
I don't think muzzles are inhumane. I think they can be necessary for some dogs. I never leave it on Ash when she's alone and it's really never on for more than 5 minutes. I don't muzzle her when we walk, but I will take it with me in case I need to strap it on. She walks with a Gentle Leader. I can't take the chance of her hurting someone and having her taken away from me or having to move out of my apartment, so the muzzle is our friend. Whether she knows it or not.

I tie a shoelace or a piece of baling twine onto the neck strap of the muzzle and run it back to the collar or harness.