Does She Bite? The Truth About Muzzles
“He looks like Hannibal Lecter!”
“Is he mean?”
“I don’t know why you would make him wear that!”
“Why can’t you just train your dog??”
These are just a small sample of some of the things you might hear from strangers while out walking with your dog wearing a muzzle. Unfortunately, muzzles tend to have a negative stigma attached to them. You might see a dog walking down the street in one and assume they must be mean or dangerous; you might even think their human is doing them a disservice by making them wear one. We want to shed some light on why muzzles are an amazing tool that can allow more dogs to interact with their worlds safely!
There are many shapes and styles of muzzle out on the market. Most folks are familiar with mesh grooming muzzles, which can be useful in an emergency to keep people safe, but what we want to discuss are basket muzzles! Unlike the tightly-fitted grooming muzzles, basket muzzles can be worn comfortably for longer periods of time. A properly-fitted basket muzzle should be comfortable, not obstruct vision, and allow the dog to fully open their mouth to pant, sniff, bark, drink water, and eat treats.
Our go-to brand of muzzle for most dogs is the Baskerville Ultra. These muzzles come in a variety of sizes and can be modified to ensure a better fit for your dog. They come in a limited range of colors, but some pet parents decorate their muzzles with colorful duct tape, rhinestones, and even faux flowers! For dogs with shorter muzzles or unique proportions, it is also possible to have a muzzle custom made to fit your dog perfectly from companies like BUMAS and Trust Your Dog Custom Muzzles.
We believe that every dog, regardless of size, breed, or temperament, should learn how to happily wear a muzzle. We even teach it in our puppy classes! It’s one of the only forms of management or physical barrier that your dog can carry around with them. Think of wearing a muzzle like wearing a seatbelt: you hope you never need it, but you’re really glad to have it during an accident.
So why muzzle train your dog? Lots of reasons!
Prevent potential bites from a nervous or reactive dog while still allowing them to enjoy their world! Any animal with teeth can bite if they feel threatened or cornered, and the muzzle prevents any mishaps for dogs who feel the need to use their teeth to create space.
Prevent a dog from ingesting dangerous things on walks or hikes. Some dogs have allergies, some have compulsive disorders like Pica, and others might just have an acquired taste for things we don’t want them getting into.
Taking certain forms of public transportation requiring muzzles. For our California readers, the Catalina Flyer ferry requires dogs to wear a muzzle for the three hour duration of the trip.
Prepare for veterinary or grooming situations if a dog is feeling unwell or anxious. Remember that injury and illness can dramatically alter behavior and even dogs with no prior history of aggression may bite! Nobody is their best self when they don’t feel well.
Traveling through an area with breed-specific legislation that require muzzles on certain types of dog. Unfortunately, some regions still uphold antiquated laws and restrictions on certain breeds of dog and may require them to wear a muzzle in public.
Signaling to others that you and your dog need some space. This is one of the few benefits of that negative stigma! Most people are likely to give you and your dog plenty of room if they are wearing a muzzle.
What should you do if you see a dog in a muzzle? Give them a respectful amount of space (hovering near or staring at a potentially nervous dog will only make them more nervous), but be friendly! Having a dog who wears a muzzle in public can garner nasty and unwarranted criticism from strangers. You might just make someone’s day by smiling and maybe even offering a calm compliment like “what a cute pup!”
Do you have any questions about muzzles or muzzle training? We can help! It’s crucial that your dog is fully comfortable wearing their muzzle and that we take the time to acclimate them to it.
Check out our brand new Muzzle Magic eCourse for self-paced, step by step guidance through the muzzle selection, sizing, conditioning, and training process!
Clark, our training intern Roma’s dog, is showing off his baskerville ultra muzzle!