Dog Training Muzzle: Agression, Barking and Biting Dog Muzzles and Harnesses: Types, Sizes, Prices Basket, Mesh, Leather and Plastic Dog Muzzle 12 Steps to Teach your dog to wear muzzle How to Teach Your Dog to Wear Muzzle? Buy Safe Dog Muzzle Online Dog Muzzles Measure and Sizing Chart Best Dog Muzzles, Collars and Leads DIY Homemade Dog Muzzles Best Dog Harnesses Dog Collars
USES OF DOG MUZZLES This article proudly presented by
A dog muzzle is a device which is designed to prevent a dog from opening its mouth. Dog muzzles are used in training, to retrain aggressive dogs, and to prevent barking. When used properly, a dog muzzle is a very useful tool which can be used to teach your dog more socially acceptable behavior. Many dog supply stores sell dog muzzles along with other tools for training, and a veterinarian or dog trainer can teach you how to use a dog muzzle responsibly.
A dog muzzle should only be used when absolutely necessary, and then for only brief periods of time! A muzzle is a piece of equipment which is fitted over the dog's snout and fastened securely, in order to control the mouth. Different types of muzzles work in different ways - some prevent the dog from opening their mouth at all, while others enclose the muzzle area within a small cage, to allow the mouth to open but prevent the dog's mouth and teeth from making contact with external objects or people. It's a common misconception that muzzled dogs are always muzzled due to aggression or a tendency to bite, while muzzles are often used to guard against this kind of behaviour, there are often other reasons for muzzling dogs as well, and so you should not jump to conclusions about a muzzled dog, nor necessarily dismiss out of hand muzzling your own dog due to any negative preconceptions you may have.
Muzzles can be very effective tools for aiding in training and for ensuring safety when dealing with aggression issues in your dog. The point of a muzzle is to keep your dog from being able to bite and cause injury to whoever is handling them. Muzzles can be used during training sessions to modify behavior. Pet owners may need to use a dog muzzle if they are just beginning to socialize their pet. The muzzle can be a helpful tool that will protect people and pets while the dog learns how to socially interact with other humans and animals.
REASONS TO MUZZLE YOUR DOG
Aggressive dogs Aggressive dogs which will try to bite if approached or have a propensity to go for people or other dogs should always be muzzled outside of the home. However, muzzling only suppresses the problem and provides a first line of protection against injury, and muzzling should not be used in place of correct training and addressing the root cause of your dog's behaviour. For instance, what would happen if your dog escaped from the house, or managed to remove their muzzle? Do you feel safe around your dog when they are unmuzzled? Muzzles should be considered as a training aid and used as part of a holistic approach to addressing negative behaviour patterns and aggression in your dog. Consult your vet or a canine behavioural expert for help with training and identifying the causes of aggression in your dog.
Nervous and snappy dogs Nervous dogs or those with a tendency to snap when approached by strangers should always be muzzled in any environment which may bring them into contact with other people or trigger defensive aggression and snapping. While all dog owners know that it's good manners and important for their safety to talk to the owner of any dog and ask permission before approaching it, the general public are often not so well versed, and of course children will often come up to a dog and want to say hello without knowing any better. Even if you know your dog only snaps in warning or will nip at the skin without causing harm or injury, this can be extremely distressing to be on the receiving end of, and it is not acceptable to simply deal with behaviour of this kind by telling the injured party "it's ok, he'd never actually hurt you." Firstly, you cannot ever know this with complete certainty, and secondly, you have a duty as a dog owner to protect other people from preventable distress or injury caused by your dog, a responsibility you should take very seriously.
Hunting dogs If your dog has a tendency to chase potential prey or has strong hunting instincts (such as with many types of terriers, as well as greyhounds, whippets and lurchers which were all historically bred to catch prey) then it is wise to consider muzzling your dog whenever they are roaming freely in an open space off the lead even if they are totally fine around people and very friendly. An un-muzzled dog that moves quickly and can actually catch prey such as rabbits and other wildlife or even roaming domestic cats can potentially kill in seconds with a correctly fitted muzzle they will be unable to cause significant harm. As with aggressive dogs, if you know your dog has a tendency to pursue prey, you should work on training this out of them. That being said, the hunting instinct is extremely strong in some dogs, and any dog may on occasion get caught up in a chase and not respond to being recalled, which is why even well trained dogs which generally leave wildlife alone or come when called may be muzzled for the protection of smaller animals.
Scavenging dogs If your dog is something of a canine dustbin and will eat anything he comes across when out on a walk, you may want to muzzle him when you're outside of a controlled environment in order to stop him from snacking on the various detritus he finds on the way. Not only is this a good idea if your dog is prone to being overweight, but also in order to stop him from picking up and devouring potentially dangerous or unsuitable foods or substances outside of the home.
Dogs can be very quick to pick up scraps and abandoned food, particularly if they know they are not meant to do so. Muzzling to prevent your dog from doing this can be a positive move both for their safety and for your own reassurance that you will not have to play the "what has he eaten now? Was it dangerous?", game every time you go out for a walk.
WHEN TO WEAR MUZZLE:
Vet visits Your dog should be muzzled in any situation where your dog may become aggressive and you absolutely cannot avoid being in the situation. A good example is when you take an aggressive dog to the vets. Many dogs become aggressive towards the vet, but it is obviously not practical to avoid going. However, if your dog is aggressive to guests in the house, you are better putting your dog in a room by themselves with a food toy that will take time to chew.
Training or behaviour modification You might also consider using a muzzle when you are working with your dog during training or behavior modification. This is a used as a safety precaution only and you should feel very confident that your dog will not get anxious in the situation. But when working with a dog-to-dog aggressive dog around other dogs, tension can start quickly because of the individual dynamics. After all, we don't get along with every human we meet either. In that case, a muzzle may be a good safety precaution in that case. But it can't be stressed enough. If your dog can't remain calm, then your dog should not be put in that situation. In many cases, using a muzzle allows the handler to feel more confident than they ordinarily would. As dogs can be very sensitive to our moods, a more confident dog handler will result in a less stressed dog.
Neigbourhood or park walks If you are taking your dog for a walk, or you have your dog wearing a muzzle in the house if your dog is aggressive to people, it is important to get your dog's attention at the first sign of stress. Muzzles can prevent bites, but each time your dog becomes anxious around the targets of his or her aggression, the worse the problem becomes. Ideally you distract and redirect your dog away from the target of his or her aggression. But before putting a muzzle on your dog, you should desensitize you dog to wearing one. This will make putting one on much easier as well as reduce the stress of wearing one for your dog. If your dog is aggressive to guests, your dog may feel happier to be in a room on his or her own with a puzzle toy rather than wearing a muzzle and being forced to have to tolerate the guests. You might want to check out some ideas for boredom busters for your dog in our environmental enrichment series adapted from the The Dog Aggression System Every Dog Owner Needs book.
TYPES OF DOG MUZZLES This article proudly presented by WWW.THEHAPPY POOCH.COM and
The two main types of muzzle available on the market are the mesh or cage muzzles which allow the dog to open his mouth and pant as normal while guarding the teeth behind a sturdy barrier and strong nylon fabric muzzles which are cone shaped and fit snugly over the nose and mouth to prevent the dog opening his mouth at all.
The latter type of muzzle prevents your dog from panting, and so is not suitable for using for anything beyond a short period of time and for a specific purpose, such as while in the vets or while being groomed. You should never seek to muzzle your dog for an extended period of time always think of your dog and his comfort, and of course, remember to remove the muzzle frequently to allow your dog to drink water, and to eat.
TYPES OF MUZZLES
Police Training Muzzles
Wire Basket Muzzles
Plastic Basket Muzzles
Fabric muzzles
Nylon (Mesh) Muzzle
Leather Harness Muzzle
Jafco Muzzle
Head Halters
Plastic Duck Muzzles
Police Training Muzzles
There are a number of companies that make muzzles sold to police departments to be used in bite development. Because of the nature of the work (putting a dog on a man with no protective clothing)
Leather Police Style Muzzle
This Muzzle was designed to be used on a GSD, great for very aggressive dog as it is very hard for the dog to remove when it is fitted properly, Allows the dog to open its mouth inside the muzzle to pant, yet it can't bite you. This type of muzzle sometimes has a quick release snap on the neck strap, it normally has a metal or steel reinforcement built inside the muzzle to help it keep it's shape under pressure. It is also designed for the dog to use as a bettering ram to knock people down, this is very effective and better than getting bitten.
Wire Basket Muzzles
Normally better quality than a Plastic Basket Muzzle, Better suited for longer nosed dogs, shorter ones are available with a forehead strap for dogs with a shorter nose, such as a rottweiler. The dog can easily pant, drink, and some can even eat while wearing this muzzle.
Plastic Basket Muzzles
This style of dog muzzles is one of the best for everyday walking if your area requires your dog to be muzzled and your dog is not aggressive. This style of Muzzle is too easy for the dog to remove if it tries to attack another dog/human/thing
Fabric Muzzles
Fabric muzzles are good for a vet's office or to carry in a vehicle, backpack or emergency medical kit. They should not be used for training. Cloth muzzles restrict a dog's ability to pant and it's not recommended to leave them on while the animal is unattended. If it's hot out or the dog is stressed in a warm environment that dog could over heat and possibly die. So these fabric muzzles should only be used while the dog is being supervised by the owner. Cloth muzzles are inexpensive and can be used while grooming or nail clipping. I tell people not to think that a dog cannot bite you through these fabric muzzles, they can pinch you and it will hurt.
Nylon (Mesh) Muzzle
A nylon muzzle is to only be used for 5 - 15 minutes at a time with supervision, This muzzle is designed to keep the dogs mouth shut which prevents the dog from panting, which takes away the dogs natural cooling system. This is a good muzzle to use if your dog does not like its toe nails clipped and bites to avoid getting them trimmed.
Leather Harness Muzzle
This muzzle is made like a harness and is normally labeled as an "Attack" Muzzle on amazon and ebay. I don&'t know of any professional trainer that would ever use this type of muzzle on an attack dog. The gaps between the straps are too big and the dog could easily get at a finger or two.It does allow the dog to pant and maybe drink while wearing it so it could be used on a no aggressive dog.
Plastic Basket with leather, plastic, or nylon straps. This is a great muzzle for everyday use, protection/guard dog use. It comes in sizes to fit almost all, I think the smallest they make is one that will fit a JRT. This muzzle is very durable and could easily last a long time with everyday use.
NOT RECOMMENDED MUZZLES This article proudly presented by WWW.DOGICA.COM
There are two styles of leather basket muzzles in which both consist of a flat piece of leather with holes punched through the part that goes around the dog's snout.
One style has thin leather and is pliable. The other style has very thick leather and is very stiff. I don't like either type.
I don't like the airflow in these muzzles and the dog can still bite you through the thin leather muzzle. You may not get puncture wounds but the risk is there that you could really get pinched and believe me when I say that this is going to hurt.
Head Halters
Misguided behaviorists and inexperienced dog trainers push head halters with clients. I am not a fan of a head halter and I won't sell them. The only possible use that I can think of would be to have it be a middle step between a muzzle and no muzzle. Frankly if there is a question about needing a muzzle, the dog should have a muzzle on. So, the trainer that tells a novice dog owner that a head halter will keep the dog's mouth closed when pressure is applied has not worked with enough dominant and aggressive dogs. My guess is they will eventually get dog bit and change what they tell their students, which will not be to use them.
Quack Plastic Muzzles
HOW TO MAKE DOG MUZZLE HOMEMADE DIY DOG MUZZLES This article proudly presented by WWW.CUTENESS.COM and WWW.DOITYOUR SELF.COM
You shouldn't need to muzzle your dog often. However, muzzling your pooch is appropriate in some situations, like if you're unsure if your dog will act aggressively in a new environment. While muzzles come in various qualities and styles, many of them are expensive. Instead, purchase a few cheap materials to make a custom-made muzzle for your furry friend, or use materials you already have at home to make an emergency one. The ability to make a homemade muzzle quickly out of common materials found in your house is a handy skill to have in emergencies. An injured or frightened dog will often bite. Being able to prevent this and keep your dog under control could save injury to yourself, your family or your dog.
HOMEMADE DOG MUZZLE #1 1. Tie a slipknot in the center of the rope to make a muzzle. This knot should be large enough to slip over your dog's nose and mouth and tighten down.
2. Calm your dog before muzzling it. It's easy for an agitated dog to turn and bite. Try to stand behind the dog, speak calmly to it and let it know where you are at all times. Gently slip the muzzle over the dog's nose and mouth. Arrange it so that the muzzle is closer to the eyes.
3. Quickly tighten the muzzle. Wrap the trailing ends of the rope around the dog's mouth once or twice to secure it. Then tie the ends behind the dog's head under the ears. Tie the muzzle in a bow rather than a knot so that it can be quickly removed if need be.
4. Watch your pet carefully. If it's having trouble breathing, passes out or may vomit, remove the muzzle.
HOMEMADE DOG MUZZLE #2 1. Take Measurements - To make a custom-made muzzle, take the measurements of your dog's snout. Measure around the dog's snout, along the jawline to behind the ear, and across the back of the head. Mark these measurements on the nylon material. Add 1 inch to the snout and jawline measurements. Add 6 inches to the piece for across the back of the head. These additions allow for hemming and attaching the buckle.
2. Cut the Pieces - Next, cut the nylon webbing according to the measurements. Remember to cut the piece for across the dog's head in half. This is where the buckle will be attached.
3. Assemble the Muzzle - Sew the nylon-webbing snout piece in a circle. Next, attach the jawline pieces on either side of the snout piece. Thread each outside end of the buckle 3 inches on each piece of the head piece. Then, fold the nylon webbing back over itself and sew it to secure the buckle in place. Do this on each of the top halves. Finally, sew each half to the already sewn muzzle. The best way to make the hems on all the places stitched together is to sew a rectangle, and then make an "X" pattern in the center of the rectangle.
4. Complete the Final Touches - After the muzzle is completely assembled, ensure that it fits properly. Gently put your canine into the muzzle. Feel free to add embellishments.
HOMEMADE EMERGENCY DOG MUZZLE 1. Find Materials - To make a muzzle quickly, all you need is a long piece of cloth. Nylon leashes, neck ties, and pantyhose are just a few examples of materials that you can use.
2. Make a Loop - Loosely make a loop in the center of the material. Then, have a helper hold the animal by the head, or stand behind the dog's head and over its body to prevent it from biting. Only do this if you are sure of the animal's temper. Do not try to approach or muzzle a stray dog or one of an unknown temper.
3. Slip the Dog's Nose Through - Gently slip the dog's nose and snout through the loop. Then, tighten the loop, so that it's snug but not tight. Pull the ends up behind the dog's ears.
4. Tie the Material - Tie the material into a bow to snugly secure the muzzle. Use a bow instead of a knot to ensure a quick release if necessary.
Warning: Some dogs don't like their faces or mouths touched, and touching them can make some canines aggressive. To prevent being bitten, know the dog's temper before trying to muzzle it. Always take the appropriate safety precautions when working with any animal, especially one of unknown habits or temper.
Sizing and fitting Muzzles are available in many different sizes to fit all types and breeds, even specially shaped muzzles for brachycephalic dogs (dogs with squished up faces, such as boxers, bulldogs and pugs). If possible, try a few muzzles on your dog before buying, in order to ensure a perfect fit which is both comfortable for your dog and provides the appropriate protection. Finally, remember that muzzles are not foolproof - Dogs can sometimes remove muzzles by pawing at their head, particularly if they mange to catch a dew claw under the strap, which will often pull it off. Ensure that the muzzle fits snugly but comfortably, and always supervise your dog while muzzled in order to prevent removal - both in order to ensure the ongoing effectiveness of the muzzle, and to prevent your dog from injuring himself while trying to remove the device.
Measure your dog
Length: Distance from the tip of the nose to eye line in inches
Circumference: Around snout one inch below eye line in inches
Eye Line: Snout width in the widest part
Neck Circumference: Circumference around neck behind ears in inches
Width: Snout width in the widest part
Height: Snout height, should be measured with mouth a little open
Height must allow mouth to open in panting Length must have 1cm clear from end of nose.
** It is VERY important that you give your dog enough room to pant while wearing the muzzle. The measurements shown in the chart above are the ACTUAL measurements of the muzzle itself. You need to be sure of TWO things before you choose your muzzle size.
The muzzle CAN NOT be LONGER than your dog's actually "nose length". If the muzzle is longer than your dog's nose length, the muzzle will be in the dog's line of vision. The muzzle's "circumference" MUST be LARGER than your dog's "nose circumference." We recommend between 1-3 inches larger than your dog's measurement. If the muzzle is the exact same size as your dog's nose, the dog won't be able to pant. Its mouth won't even be able to open.
How to introduce the muzzle to your dog: By introducing the muzzle to your dog incrementally and pairing it with something that will create a very positive experience (high value treats) your dog will learn to accept, perhaps even love wearing the muzzle.
Follow the next steps and work at your dog's comfort level. Patience and a calm environment, also you being calm, will go a long ways:
1.Keep your training sessions short (3 - 5 min. max) Best to have two or three training session a day than a very long one.
2.Hold the basket muzzle with the opening face up on the ground.
3.Place his favorute treat inside the muzzle
4.Hold the muzzle still so your dog has to put his nose in the basket. Repeat a few times. If your dog will not put his nose inside, hold the muzzle steady on the floor and feed your dog a few treats a few inches away from the muzzle.
5.Progress by bringing the treat closer to the muzzle until you are delivering treats next to the muzzle. If your dog seems comfortable with the above, position your hand at the opening of the muzzle.
6.Progress to position treats inside the basket. Once your dog is okay taking the treats from the muzzle on the ground
7.Hold the muzzle a few inches away from him and repeat. If your dog is calm and taking the treats continue to move closer to him. Remember to proceed at your dog's pace.
8.Once your dog is taking the treats inside the basket at nose level, you can hold the straps behind his head. Do not attach them. Hold for one second and then release.
9.Work up to ten seconds one second at a time. Proceed ONLY if your dog is comfortable and eating the treats from inside the muzzle.
10.Attach the straps and continue to give him treats through the slots of the baskets in a rapid succession. Gradually build up to longer periods of time with your dog wearing the muzzle.
11.When you remove the muzzle, stop dispensing treats. The goal is to create an association of muzzle = treats.
12.The process might take days perhaps weeks which is fine. It is crucial that you work at your dog's comfort level so that your dog will associate the muzzle with good things such as treats, going to the park, engaging with other dogs.
If at any point he starts to paw at the muzzle or back away, go back to the previous step that he was comfortable at. We want the muzzle to always be positive, so that the dog associates wearing it with relaxation. Only good things should happen when the dog wears his muzzle in the beginning. You can give a massage during his muzzle sessions as well.
Desensitizing If a dog can't get a muzzle off and wants to, or it is bothers his or her face, you can increase frustration and frustration can make aggression worse. This is why you should always desensitize a dog to wearing one. Here are the steps, describing how to desensitize your dog to wearing a muzzle or head halter that describes how you can do this.
As handy and helpful as muzzles can be, they must be used properly or they can be danger and result in injury to your dog. The biggest danger to the use of dog muzzles is heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Dogs control their body temperature through panting, and if a muzzled dog becomes overheated panting is either hindered or impossible. For this reason, a dog muzzle should never be placed on a dog that is at risk for overheating, such as a dog in a car or kennel. Muzzles should never be placed on dogs that are not going to be continually supervised; a dog muzzle must also never be used on a dog that is sleeping.
Overuse of dog muzzles may cause reactions, such as aggression, fear and panic to develop. Pet owners will need to assess how their dog is responding to a muzzle to help prevent added behavioral problems and psychological disturbances from occurring. If you have decided to muzzle your dog that has never been muzzled before, it will take patience and training to get them used to wearing their muzzle. Be prepared with lots of treats and lots of time.
It is important that your dog be comfortable wearing his muzzle so that he does not cause himself any injury struggling to get it off. It is also very important that the muzzle fits your dog properly. If it fits too tightly for your dog to be able to pant or open his mouth, then the chances of them overheating are much higher. When fastening the muzzle on your dog be sure that it is secure.
Certain precautions should be taken when using a muzzle on your dog to lessen the possible dangers that could arise. When your dog is muzzled, do not leave them unattended. Supervision is necessary to ensure that your dog doesn't scratch and injure himself in an attempt to get it off. Muzzles are not a cure all for aggression or other behavioral problems. They should only be used as supplemental aids to ensure safety, and never as a complete fix. Also it is always best to use a muzzle in conjunction with a leash. It is never wise to completely trust a muzzle to be inescapable, since dogs can be veritable Houdinis at getting out of restraints when no one is watching.
Dog muzzles can be a wonderful aid to a training program, but they can also be dangerous if used improperly. Our certified dog trainer and owner, Jess Rollins wrote up the Do's and Don'ts to help you decide if a muzzle is the right tool for you and your dog and to make you aware of some of the potential problems. Please note that using a muzzle does not guarantee your safety when working with a dangerous dog. Pet Expertise does not assume any responsibility for injuries involved in the use of a dog muzzle. Be careful and be safe!
DO's Teach your dog to wear to be comfortable wearing a muzzle using rewards and lots of patience. This will help your dog to relax while wearing the muzzle and not try to get it off.
Make sure that your dog's muzzle fits properly and is secure. If your dog will be wearing the muzzle more than a few minutes make sure it allows for your dog to open his or her mouth to pant.
Use the muzzle as a safety aid for your dog's fear or aggression training program. Working with a well qualified, positive trainer is the best way to go!
DON'Ts Don't use a muzzle to "fix" a fear or aggression problem. Using the muzzle this way could make the problem worse. Teaching your dog to be comfortable around what he is upset about by using positive training and then using a muzzle as a safety measure is the most effective way to help your dog.
Don't leave a muzzle on your dog while unattended. Your dog could scratch at it to try to get it off and injure himself.
Don't trust a muzzle completely as dogs can be amazing Houdinis at the most inopportune moments! A back up plan such as a leash is always a good idea.
Don't use a muzzle as a replacement for a crate and other prevention methods to stop destructive chewing when you are not there to supervise. This could result in your dog injuring himself trying to get the muzzle off or in other behavioral problems due to frustration.
Don't use a muzzle as a way to get dogs to stop fighting with each other. Dogs can still fight while muzzled and injure themselves and could make the behavioral problem worse. It's great to use a muzzle as a safety measure together with positive behavioral modification to help your dog's like each other.
Don't use a tube-style muzzle that restricts your dog from panting for more than a few minutes at a time. Dogs can overheat very easily. A better option, is a basket-type muzzle.
Don't muzzle your dog for off-leash play unless you are preventing your dog from eating objects and are using it as a safety back up for that. If your dog has a fear or aggression problem, a muzzle can be a helpful safety measure, but you should also keep him leashed so that you can supervise interactions.
Don't use a muzzle on an unsupervised dog to stop a barking problem. Most likely if your dog is barking while you are away he is either anxious or bored and the problem would be best solved using positive training methods to help your dog be comfortable alone or providing more exercise or puzzle and chew toys. Muzzling a barking dog while unattended could cause the issue to become worse or your dog to injure him or herself by trying to remove the muzzle.
HOW TO CONTROL DOG AGGRESSION WITH MUZZLE This article proudly presented by WWW.K9 AGGRESSION.COM
Dog muzzles for an aggressive dog If it is possible your dog might bite, or your dog is aggressive, snarky or reactive, or if your dog is in a situation where they are in pain, you really should consider investing in a dog muzzle.
Here are the top things you need to know about muzzles:
What the best muzzle choice for your particular situation.
How to desensitize your dog to wearing a dog muzzle (very important!).
What problems there are with using a dog muzzle to stop biting.
What is the best muzzle for biting dogs?
Finding the right muzzle can be challenging as there are a number of them on the market ranging in type and quality. Here is a rundown on the main types of muzzles available for biting dogs and how and when to use them. We also discuss which brands consistently get the best reviews by users to help you make a decision.
OCCLUSION MUZZLE "Occlusion" muzzles that shut the dog's mouth completely and should only ever be used short-term. They are often made of fabric. They may be fine for temporary use such as at the vet or grooming. If you are hit with the dog's snout, you don't experience the extra damage of being hit by the muzzle itself. However because dogs cool themselves when they are panting, these muzzles can pose a threat to dogs, especially warm or when they are stressed and need to pant. It is also possible that dogs can still nip if the can get their mouths at all open. They should not be used for preventing barking. If your dog is barking excessively, it may be a result of boredom or there may be an anxiety issue that can be resolved and you should consider getting a veterinary behaviorist consultation to diagnose the issue.
POLICE STYLE AGITATION MUZZLE These are usually used for police or protection training where the dog is encouraged to bark and bite. They are usually made of leather, although plastic variations exist. The leather variations allow the target to experience less damage if a trainer is hit hard with them. While leather agitation muzzles considered the safest, they are also the most expensive. You also need to consider how well ventilated they are.
BASKET MUZZLE For the average dog owner who wants to exercise caution while training their dogs not to be aggressive or out for walks, the basket muzzle the most humane choice recommended by veterinary behaviorists. It allows the dog to pant and open their mouths which is extremely important for any dog that is exercising, needs to wear one in warmer weather, or any dog who is panting because of stress.
WIRE, PLASTIC or FABRIC BASKET MUZZLE? Although there are many variations on the market you generally see either a wire, plastic or softer variation usually made of some kind of fabric such as nylon. Plastic muzzles tend to be cheaper, but they don't tend to let in as much air flow. In some cases the dog has been able to get the lower jaw out and stuck. If a dog is really determined to bite, they will be able to bite through a soft or plastic muzzle. This leaves the wire basket muzzle as the best choice. In addition the air flow is usually better with these kinds of muzzles, as well as the ability to give your dog a treat through the muzzle.
Problems with using dog muzzles to control dog aggression
There are a number of problems with using muzzles to control dog aggression. Here is what to consider:
Using a muzzle can sometimes give people a false sense of security. A dog muzzle will do nothing to prevent aggressive behavior. A dog muzzle will only prevent a bite. Your dog can still "muzzle punch", lunge, hit, trample, bruise, etc. Dogs with eyes that stick out more such as pugs, pomeranians, french bull dogs etc. are at risk for having a eye popped out during a fight for example.
A head halter does not prevent biting, but may offer control much more control over lunging if you have your dog on leash. Combining the two has been done, but it is a lot of the face of the dog and may cause some frustration.
People have the tendency to use a dog muzzle instead of avoiding the situation that causes the aggression. This causes your dog to be more stressed and dread the situation even more the next time, making the overall problem worse. If you want to learn more about treating dog aggression, you may want to get the The Dog Aggression System Every Dog Owner Needs book.
People want to buy a muzzle to stop barking. This is a bad idea as it frustrates the dog and there are more effective ways to handle barking such as addressing or treating the reasons why your dog barks.
People think they can prevent destruction in the home with a muzzles while they are away. Dogs destroy things either because they are bored or anxious. A dog should never be left unsupervised with a muzzle on as it can get caught on things. If the dog tries to paw it off, even its nails can get stuck. Dogs have been known to get their lower teeth caught with cheaper muzzles. In addition, a dog that feels the need to destroy something may find other ways to do it. It is better to treat separation anxiety than to try to prevent it with a muzzle.
A child should never be left alone with a dog, muzzled or not. A muzzled dog can still cause injuries, and a child can make poor choices. You risk in having your dog feel even worse about children and becoming a greater danger to them in the future.
How to handle dog aggression Dog muzzles can be used to control biting, and they should be used whenever there is any risk that a bite could happen. But it does not treat the aggression in anyway. If a muzzle is to break, you still have a dangerous dog on your hands. You are far better off making your dog a safer pet with a systematic approach than than relying on a muzzle only. You should learn how to identify signs of stress or anxiety to help you act before the aggression even starts, and create a prevention and management plan so that you avoid the circumstances that are causing the aggression. Then help your dog learn to cope better with the thing that is triggering his aggression with a treatment plan designed to keep his anxiety below "threshold". This is a far more humane way to deal with the problem, and most dog aggression can be improved if you only use the right methods. If you are interested in learning more about treating dog aggression check out the ebook The Dog Aggression System Every Dog Owner Needs. You may also be interested in a Head Halter for an aggressive dog as that provide a lot of control over the head and while it's possible for a dog to bite, you can also gently pull up on the head halter causing the mouth to close.
HOW TO MUZZLE AN INJURED DOG This article proudly presented by WWW.DUMMIES.COM and M. Christine Zink
Whenever you approach an injured dog, always start by protecting yourself from being bitten, which means muzzling the dog first thing. If a dog is in severe pain and is afraid, even your canine best friend may bite the hand that feeds her.
Make a temporary muzzle out of a length of bandage, a belt, a shoelace, or some pantyhose. If it turns out the muzzle was not necessary because your dog responded to your examination and treatment well, your dog will forgive you for having used one. If it was necessary, you'll be glad you had the foresight to protect yourself.
Approach the dog slowly, using a soothing tone of voice. If you are calm and composed, the dog may react with less anxiety.
Bring the bandage (or other muzzle material) up under the dog's chin about halfway between the leather of the nose and her eyes.
Tie the two ends in one loop on top of the dog's nose.
Bring the bandage back under the dog's chin and tie another single knot under the chin.
Make sure you're not pinching the dog's tongue in the clasped mouth.
Bring the two ends of the bandage to the back of the dog's neck behind her ears and tie them in a bow.
Tie the loops of the bow into another single knot to keep the muzzle securely fastened.
The muzzle should be fairly tight, enough that the dog cannot open her mouth, but not so tight that it impedes breathing.
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