The Importance of The Muzzle
Muzzles are often seen as a sign that the dog who wears it is aggressive, but is that really the case?
In fact, a muzzle can be used for many different reasons and aggression is only one of them. A dog can be super comfortable around humans and dogs but still require a muzzle. This is something we should al be comfortable with seeing. As it gives the owner and dog wearing it so much more freedom and peace of mind in multiple situations that could have been ‘dangerous’ without the muzzle.
For instance, some dogs eat everything they can find on the street and benefit greatly from wearing a muzzle during walks. It can be very dangerous for a dog to eat just anything off the street and doing so could lead to major health problems. The muzzle helps prevent those problems and protects the dog while he learns to ignore garbage and food on the street.
It’s also not rare to see greyhounds wearing muzzles. The main reason you see this is because Greyhounds (and greyhound type dogs) have very thin skin that can easily be injured in play. So you’ll see Greyhounds who play together wearing them. The muzzle helps prevent injury.
Another reason why a dog would wear a muzzle is because of their city’s bylaws (or provincial and federal law). And that doesn’t only apply to Pit Bull type dogs! Many breeds can be included in those bylaws and laws. For example, the town of Louiseville require that any dog over 12lbs must wear a muzzle if they attend the Festival de la Galette de Sarrasin. Also, if you’re planning to travel with your dog, you should know that France allows dogs in trains only if they wear a muzzle.
A muzzle can also be useful if your dog gets anxious in certain environments or if you’re unsure as to what his reaction might be in a certain situation. Going to the vet is a good example of this. Even the nicest dog is at risk of biting if they are in a lot of pain. That’s why it is so important to desensitize your dog to the muzzle before you might actually need it! This way the muzzle won’t add even more anxiety and uncertainty to a situation. If your dog gets positive experiences with the muzzle beforehand, once their vet appointment (or emergency) comes up your dog will already have a good relationship with the muzzle and it won’t add to their fear.
Muzzles can also be a preventative tool. If you think your dog is at risk of biting a human or another dog, muzzle training will give you peace of mind while also keeping everyone (dog, other animals or human) safe from potential harm. Many bylaws state that if a dog bites, or even tries, they are considered dangerous and in some cities the consequences of a dog biting a human means the dog can be euthanized. Having your dog muzzle trained will give your the certainty that everyone, including your dog, is safe.
Many situations require that your dog be muzzle trained and if you’re interested in muzzle training your dog you can definitely make it a positive experience!
How to pick the right muzzle?
They are many types of muzzles out there. Out of the many types of muzzles on the market, our favorite is the basket muzzle. Unlike most fabric muzzles, the basket muzzle allows your dog to pant, drink and eat treats (great for training). The most important thing you want to look for in a muzzle is that it will allow your dog to open his mouth. Even a basket muzzle can be too small and prevent the dog from panting, drinking and eating. So, finding the right size for your dog is very important. You also want to make sure the muzzle isn’t rubbing the end of the nose or pushing on the dog’s jowls. Comfort is key! The more comfortable to muzzle the faster your dog will come accustom to it!
It is very important for us to note that a muzzle should never be used to prevent the dog from barking! It can be very dangerous for a dog to not be able to open its mouth since that’s how they regulate their temperature. That also means that the mesh muzzles used by groomers should not be used for anything other than grooming.
We recommend three brands of basket muzzles:Baskerville Ultra, Bumas and Hot Dogs All Dressed. We carry the Baskerville in store so you can come with your dog to try it on (which we recommend doing before buying any muzzle). The Bumas and Hot Dogs All Dressed muzzles are custom made and can be ordered through their website.
Train your dog to enjoy the muzzle
Once you find the right muzzle for your dog, it’s crucial to desensitize your dog to the muzzle before you have him wear it for extended periods. Most dogs do not like wearing it if they’re not used to it. Putting it on for too long too soon, could lead to a dog who is not in a good place mentally to learn anything. In order to desensitize your dog to the muzzle, you can use some training protocols that already exist. We really like the ones by: The Muzzle Up Project and Best Friends Animal Society. It’s very important to go at your dog’s pace, a dog that likes the muzzle is key to being able to use it properly. If you’d rather have help from a trainer directly at your house, there are some really good force-free trainers in the city. We will be more than happy to give your some references!
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