Similarly, if your dog is ever in pain and in need of emergency treatment, being able to put a muzzle on them will prevent them from potentially biting you or veterinary staff. A dog that likes their muzzle needs less “manhandling” at the vet, which is a better situation for the dog and all humans. Training your dog to accept a muzzle is beneficial to both you and your dog because it makes stressful situations more manageable and less dangerous for all involved. You want to be able to put a muzzle on your dog in an emergency, and negative associations make this infinitely more difficult. As a form of punishment in any way: it will not fix the underlying behavior issue, and will only give your dog negative associations with the muzzle.If you feel that your dog can’t handle a certain situation or setting, don’t use a muzzle to try and put them in that situation, simply avoid it.
To put your dog in an unnecessarily stressful situation–the AKC uses the example of a dog who can’t handle a dog park.Excessive barking or chewing are behaviors that need to be worked on with a trainer, and they will not be fixed by having your dog wear a muzzle. A muzzle should always be used as a temporary tool, and is not a solution by itself. Some retailers may sell “anti bark muzzles” or similarly worded products, but that is a misnomer (and a red flag for that retailer). To prevent “problem” behaviors, like barking or chewing on things.Some breed-specific legislation requires certain breeds to wear muzzles in public, regardless of their history or the situation. When breed-specific legislation requires it: Unfortunately, some places still have breed-specific legislation (sometimes called “breed bans”) in place, despite mounting evidence that it is ineffective and only serves to punish responsible dog owners. However, just like with dogs that have a history of biting, the muzzle should be used as a temporary tool while you work on behavior modification. If your dog is scared of these situations, especially if they require interaction with humans, a muzzle is a good idea. This can happen in many situations, such as going to the vet or groomer. The muzzle in this case should be seen as a temporary aid to your ultimate goal of behavior modification.Ī “scary” situation: As we noted above, dogs are much more likely to bite if they feel threatened. As the AKC notes, it’s important to remember that the muzzle is not a solution in and of itself it simply provides safety while you work on the behavior with your dog and a trainer. they tend to lunge at other dogs when on leash), a muzzle is a tool that can provide safety and peace of mind on walks. This is especially true if the dog requires emergency treatment, as they may bite veterinary staff.ĭogs with a history of biting: If your dog has bitten a person, or another dog, in the past, or if you think they might (e.g. In an emergency, it’s a good idea to have a muzzle around (along with a muzzle-trained dog). There are several situations in which a muzzle is a good idea:Įmergencies: A frightened dog is more likely to bite. Muzzles are a great tool that dog parents can use to prevent harmful behavior, while keeping in mind that they are not a solution in and of themselves. You can also slip treats through a basket muzzle to reward your dog for good behavior. They allow for better air circulation than solid muzzles, and most styles of basket muzzle allow the dog to open their mouth enough to pant, eat and drink. A basket muzzle looks essentially like a basket strapped to your dog’s mouth. There are several types of muzzles, with basket muzzles generally being the most prevalent. What is a muzzle?Ī muzzle is a device that goes over the mouth of a dog (as well as other animals) that prevents them from biting or from opening their mouth. Let’s dive into what muzzles are, and when they should be used. But muzzles should never be used to punish a dog or as a means of dealing with reactive behavior. There is a fair amount of stigma around muzzles, as they have gained an (unearned) association with “aggressive” dogs. You’ve probably seen a dog wearing a muzzle at some point, but you might be confused as to what exactly the purpose of muzzles is, and whether it’s humane for a dog to wear them. * All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
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