Dog Community

The Muzzle

Posted : 7/1/2006 9:13:49 AM

I have no problem using a muzzle on my dog. I started using one when she started her obedience training because of her high fear agression towards other dogs. I didn't want other dogs in the class to get hurt. Now the muzzle has become a calming aid in training her. When she is not wearing the muzzle she will act out when she sees anouther dog but muzzled she is calm and relaxed and will not even give a grow. I use a soft cloth muzzle made of easy breath materal that also alows her to pant, drink and eat treats. She only wears it when on the lesh on walk and during class.

I know some people seem to think muzzles are somewhat inhumane. If they are left on all the time when the owners are not around then I can see that but thats not what they are made for. At the cinic I work at we muzzle dogs while proforming operations on the dog to keep ourselfs safe. I think the muzzle has saved me quite a few times from being bit. Some owners get very upset when we tell them the dog need to be muzzled if we do anything to it. Some dogs we couldn't even touch without the muzzle on it and if we can't touch it then it will not get the treatment it needs. Not all dogs need the muzzle and there are many we don't use it on. I personly would rather have my dog muzzled for a few minets and get the best treatment possible then get a quick treatment to avoid getting bit.

So, whats your openion on muzzles?

dawn

Posted : 7/1/2006 9:30:47 AM

i think i'm pretty much of the same opinion as you are. i've never used one but i think there are certainly situations where they are apropriate (if used in a safe manner).

willowchow

Posted : 7/1/2006 10:21:24 AM

I think they are OK vet visits and grooming or during socialization training but I don't agree with walking with one on. I've used the soft mesh muzzles a lot and I don't think they should walk with one on.

They aren't inhumane as long as they fit right and aren't on for an extended time. I think 20 minutes is what they package on the soft muzzles say.

Willow will put her muzzle on with no problem just like anything else, all I've ever said to her was "put your nose in here", and she does.

Just an FYI---they can bite thru the soft muzzles so be careful.

Mic

Posted : 7/1/2006 10:23:51 AM

I use muzzles daily with aggressive dogs. We use basket muzzles and sometimes leave them on all day. They are perfectly safe. The dog can open it's mouth entirely, it can drink, and the dog can take treats. The only time the muzzles come off is when they are crated (depending on the aggression level of the dog).

willowchow

Posted : 7/1/2006 10:32:56 AM

Mic--Are those muzzles soft or hard?? They look like they are soft in the pictures but I've only seen the metal ones in the basket style.

Xebby

Posted : 7/1/2006 10:34:03 AM

I also have a basket muzzle like that one but I tend not to use it. At work we have the same ones and use then on highly agressive dogs but most do fine with just the cloth muzzles.

I don't use the muzzle on my dog when I know there will be no other dogs around, like on most my walks and visits to parks. I keep the muzzle in my pocket when not in use because I know it's possible for anouther dog to suddenly appear. I use it as a calming aid which has helped out more than anything else i've put on her.

boneyjean

Posted : 7/1/2006 10:35:36 AM

I have never used one but have considered using one on Izzy for the vet and when she has her nails trimmed, both places where a stranger has to handle her. She is fine being around people and other dogs, the problem arises when someone has to pick her up and she doesn't know them. She can be sort of snappy sometimes in this type of situation especially if you have not built any trust with her, and I would feel horrible if she ever snapped at someone and actually bit them. She hasn't yet but I feel that it is better safe than sorry. I have thought about getting her one and seeing if I can even get her to put it on without flipping out like she did with the gentle leader. Any suggestions on what type she will adapt to the best?

willowchow

Posted : 7/1/2006 10:40:46 AM

The soft ones are very easy to put on. You adjust it to her like a collar and she puts her nose in and you snap the clip in back and she can't get it off. Once you adjust it once you don't have to do it again. That's why I started bringing my own muzzle places, the vet and groomer never seemed to have one that fit her properly.

Xebby

Posted : 7/1/2006 10:43:11 AM

You have to realize that when your not the owner of the dog you have no clue if the dog will bite and even a snap will make you think the worse of the dog. It's more of the safe than sorry rule when muzzling a dog.

Like I said before i use a cloth muzzle. they make them in xxs all the way up to 5x. these are the more commonly sold ones and i would suggest thoes over any other. I have even used them on pugs and dogs with noses like that, they will fit any dog nicely if you get the right size.

Mic

Posted : 7/1/2006 10:45:48 AM

Mic--Are those muzzles soft or hard??

They are flexible plastic. Easy to put on, with plenty of room to move around in. I find them MUCH more comfortable (for the dog) than the nylon muzzles.

willowchow

Posted : 7/1/2006 11:15:38 AM

Oooooo. . .where can I get one of those??

pofi_pasquale

Posted : 7/1/2006 11:21:43 AM

Had to bring Pofi for an urgent care visit to the vet the other day - he had had a bit of wood chip jammed in between his toes and even though he managed to extract it, I wanted to be sure there had been no actual puncture. I heartily encouraged the vet to muzzle him and helped put it on. I won't say it's calming for him, but it kept us relatively safe because he really does fear strangers poking and prodding. We were able to avoid sedation, so big thumbs up on that. When we were done, we took it off and he was just fine and accepted treats from the doctor.

Pofi is fearful at the vet following a dog bite incident - a heeler mix who had been muzzled when we first started visiting this dog park was not muzzled and in trying to herd Pofi while he was running nipped him under the his body where the leg joint is. So it was VERY painful. The next time I saw that dog at dp, I calmly leashed Pofi and on our way out explained how bad the bite had been, that it really should have had stitches and required antibiotics and that if they were not muzzling their dog, I would have to leave with mine. I explained that I knew it was not a vicious attack, but an instinctive behavior and was measured and calm about it. I'm happy to say, they still bring their dog to dp for exercise and needed socialization, but he is muzzled.

For that dog, it seems clearly the better option - he is able to enjoy the park (and he definitely does), but I (and others - there were two dogs bitten that day and ironically, the other was a muzzled shepherd - she has some fear aggression issues) can be confident he doesn't pose a threat.

Mic

Posted : 7/1/2006 11:46:06 AM

Here you go willow...

[linkhttp://www.hunterpet.com/Muzzles/M180.htm]http://www.hunterpet.com/Muzzles/M180.htm[/link]

willowchow

Posted : 7/1/2006 12:05:08 PM

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.

Xerxes

Posted : 7/1/2006 12:53:14 PM

We had an akita that had to be muzzled for vet visits. I have no problem with muzzling a dog for caretaker security. If the vet, or trainer, or whichever service provider feels uncomfortable then the service will not be provided as effectively.

Also, the majority of the greyhounds I've seen at the park are small, white, fuzzy thing aggressive and they usually wear basket muzzles. I'm lucky I don't have to worry about this with X since his litter was 1 week after a litter of Toy Fox Terriers and he basically grew up with them.