![]() ![]() They may be made of soft, malleable rubber or rigid plastic. Cloth muzzles should not be worn for more than 10 minutes and the dog should never be unsupervised while wearing one.īasket muzzles (shown in the pictures) are larger and somewhat cage-like. These muzzles are often used in veterinary offices when a procedure must be done and a dog is showing increased stress and is a greater risk for biting. Cloth muzzles that prevent the mouth from opening at all and basket muzzles. That barrier allows you to relax a little (knowing you have a layer of protection) and lets you focus on the behavior protocol you’re implementing with the help of your trainer/behavior consultant. It provides a layer of protection so that your dog cannot severely damage anyone. It protects them and reduces the risk of a reactive bite or injury. Many dog groomers work with muzzles for this exact reason. ![]() In these cases, using a muzzle is a critical piece in any behavior plan. Your dog may have a strong prey instinct and want to attack critters, or she may be reactive to dogs or strangers. But if your dog is trained to wear a basket muzzle comfortably, you might be able to keep your beloved pet with you during that stressful and scary time.Īnd, of course, there are times when it is a safety factor. Or, if there’s a natural disaster, most shelters will not allow dogs to stay with their people. If she’s fearful of strangers approaching, putting a muzzle on gives a silent cue to passing people to please keep a distance. If you have a dog who eats everything she sees, teaching her to wear a muzzle allows you to protect her safety (keep her from ingesting foreign objects) while working on a solid Leave It skill. Injury is just one scenario where wearing a muzzle is a useful skill. We had a diagnosis and treatment plan in less than 5 minutes because that muzzle allowed the vet team to work swiftly and safely. And the vet was able to examine him in less than 60 seconds without worry or risk of being bit. Because he was used to wearing a muzzle, this did not add another layer of stress or fear for him. ![]() ![]() I took him directly to the vet and put his muzzle on before we got out of the car. As my hand brushed his knee, his head whipped around and with his mouth open, the flat of his tooth touched my hand. I began assessing him to determine what part of him hurt. He screamed in pain and was limping severely. Then six weeks later, my pup tore his ACL. I acclimated my own dog to wearing a muzzle because he should be comfortable in one. In that moment, your sweet and gentle dog may be far more likely to bite. For example, when a dog is injured, she is scared, in pain, and her tolerance is significantly lower. You never know when she might need to wear one for her safety or the safety of others. Teaching a dog to be comfortable with a muzzle just makes good sense. Why Muzzle Training Should Be a Standard Practice Pain and Discomfort But the truth is, there are many, many reasons why a dog might be wearing a muzzle. Walking down the street, if you see a dog wearing a muzzle your first thought might be “that dog must be vicious”. Many people cringe at the thought of putting a muzzle on their dog. And as a professional trainer and behavior consultant, I believe that every dog should learn to be comfortable wearing a muzzle. At The Academy of Pet Careers, all students (both grooming and training) learn to acclimate dogs to wearing a muzzle because it’s such an important skill to have. ![]()
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