Last week, I taught two clients to muzzle train their dogs. They had both been very hesitant to do so given the "bad rap" any dog wearing a muzzle seems to get when out in public spaces. It appears that people who muzzle their dogs are being judged (unfairly!) by other dog owners. Given all of this, I figured it was time to talk about muzzles and why they are a training tool that every dog should be familiar with and willingly accept.
Let's review some of the reasons why you might want to train your dog to wear a muzzle. First and foremost, does your dog go to the veterinarian's office? I'm sure she does. On occasion, she may go to the vet's office and need to have something done that will be painful. A dog who has been trained to wear a muzzle will not pose a risk to the veterinarian and their staff trying to help the dog with whatever is causing the pain. And if it's that the procedure being done is pain-inducing, then muzzling your dog means that the procedure can be done quicker and is thus less stressful for all parties involved.
Second, if you have a dog who literally eats everything they find when out in your yard, on walks, etc., then muzzle training is for you. Ingesting foreign objects isn't just gross or a nuisance, it can be potentially deadly. It's one thing if your dog eats leaves or grass, and it's another issue entirely if your dog eats oleander, rocks, and trash. Or maybe your dog swallows socks, underwear, or highlighter pens (I've had clients with dogs who've eaten all of those things!). Wearing a muzzle means your dog can still sniff and explore, but they can't eat anything they shouldn't.
Third, some dogs play too rough. Wearing a muzzle during play means a dog who enjoys running around and engaging other dogs can't get themselves into a scuffle by playing too hard. It's also an easy way to introduce unfamiliar dogs if you are unsure of how the interaction might proceed.
Fourth, maybe you have a super-cute little dog that people constantly swarm when you are out. Kids want to pick him up because he looks like a little stuffed toy. The problem is, he's not a toy and he is frightened of new people, children, being picked up, etc. Muzzling your dog means you will worry less; when people see a dog wearing a muzzle, they slow down their approach and may even avoid interacting altogether, thus giving your dog the space he needs to feel safe and unmolested.
Basically, what I'm saying is this: EVERY DOG SHOULD BE TAUGHT TO WEAR A MUZZLE. Having said that, not all muzzles are created equal. You will want to train your dog to wear a basket style muzzle that is lightweight and easy for you to clean. I like the vinyl basket muzzles like the ones in the pictures below. These muzzles, when fitted properly, don't slip around on your dog's face and allow him to pant, bark, growl, drink water, and take treats. A well-fitted muzzle will not ride up on a dog's eyes or rub the end of their nose and will be wide enough to allow for open mouth panting and not be so loose as to be easily rubbed or slipped off. Even short snouted dogs can be taught to wear a muzzle!
Here's the way that I teach my clients to muzzle train their dogs: It should only takes a few days to a week to acclimate a dog to wearing a muzzle, and some dogs get it really quick! Your first step is to put peanut butter or cream cheese all over the inside of the muzzle and let your dog lick it out with you holding the muzzle like you would a bowl of ice cream or a yogurt container. Once she will readily do this, you will "bait" the muzzle again, and turn the muzzle on its side so that she has to stick her nose into it to lick it clean. Once she is doing this readily, you "bait" the muzzle and attach it to her. Watch her until she is done cleaning it out and then remove it. At this point, you are ready to lightly "bait" the muzzle, put it on her, and then feed her yummy snacks while wearing it. And voila! Your dog is muzzle trained!
Many dogs taught to wear a muzzle come to see it as just another training tool like a head halter, harness, or even the leash. When done correctly, there will be few if any hurt feelings with wearing one; in fact, a lot of anxious/fractious dogs treat their muzzles like on/off switches. When wearing their muzzles they are "off duty," and when the muzzle comes off, they are "switched back on." This makes their behavior more predictable and controllable for you, their devoted owner.
There are places in the world where dogs out in public areas are required to be muzzled. Muzzles make it safer for lots of unfamiliar dogs and people to be together in smaller spaces. I think we all just need to change the way we view muzzles, the dogs who wear them, and the owners of those dogs who are doing their very best to insure that their dog, your dog, your kids, the veterinarian, and you are all as safe as possible. Dog owners who muzzle train their dogs are being responsible. They aren't bad dog owners and their dogs aren't menaces. Let's all educate ourselves about muzzles and show some compassion and empathy for each other.
As always, if you have questions about your dog's behavior, you know where to find me.
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