The Importance of Muzzle Training
Introduction
A few months ago, a trainer recommended that I muzzle train Levi after he displayed repeated signs of fear aggression. At the time, I was heartbroken. I had the misconception that muzzles were a bad thing and dogs who had to wear muzzles were aggressive and dangerous. Unlike the feelings I had a few months ago, today I’m here to talk about why I believe all dogs should be muzzle trained.
The point of this is not to say all dogs need to be muzzled all the time. Instead, it is to shed light on why having your dog properly muzzle trained may come in handy one day.
Muzzle Misconceptions
Muzzles may look clunky and scary, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. In fact, muzzles come in all different shapes and can be used depending on the situation. If a dog is trained properly to wear a muzzle, they may even think positively about it. And a correctly fitting muzzle should not cause any pain or discomfort to your dog. It’s vital to build positive associations, allowing you to reduce your dog’s stress while muzzled. While you may not think it, there are a number of situations where your dog may need to wear a muzzle that are not related to aggression.
Types of Muzzles
Before we delve deeper into situations where a muzzle could be vital, I want to talk about different types of muzzles.
Basket Muzzles
Basket muzzles are probably the most common muzzle you’ll see. Most basket muzzles are bite proof, however some may not withstand extreme force and some are designed in a more rounded shape which don’t prevent bites. Basket muzzles are usually made from wire or polymer. They are typically designed so there is enough room for the dog to eat, drink, take small treats, and pant. They can also be scavenge proof but it depends on the material and structure.
Scavenge Proof Muzzles
Scavenge proof muzzles are typically made out of plastic or rubber. They are designed to stop your dog’s ability to scavenge. Similar to basket muzzles, scavenge proof muzzles are usually designed so that the dog can pant and take small treats. They are not typically meant to allow the dog to eat or drink. Depending on the design, scavenge proof muzzles can be bite proof too.
Soft Muzzles
The last main type of muzzle is the soft muzzle. These are usually made out of fabric or mesh. They are designed to keep the dog’s mouth closed. These can be found typically at vets and groomers as muzzles they keep on hand. They are easy to store, however they are not as user friendly for normal activities. Additionally, dogs have been able to slip out of them if they really try.
I speak from personal experience when I say that these muzzles can be helpful for quick fixes or if your dog has specific barking issues but they generally suck.
In Case of Emergencies
The fact of the matter is, dogs are animals. While we love them like family, most dogs cannot communicate with us the same way as we can communicate with other people. For example, if an accident occurs and the medical professionals will cause you pain while attempting to fix the problem, that information can be communicated to a person. You can’t exactly tell your dog that the vet is helping them even though it hurts. Think about if your dog got burrs stuck in their fur or they were pricked with cactus needles all over. Some dogs may allow the vets to remove these without any issues, but other dogs may try to stop the pain and in this case the vets. A muzzle could make all the difference by protecting other people as they help your dog through an emergency. And while you can just stick a muzzle on your dog in a situation like this, if the dog is properly trained to understand a muzzle is not a punishment, it won’t increase their stress.
Scavenging
Another important reason to muzzle train a dog is if they tend to scavenge or pick things up off of the sidewalk. Scavenge proof muzzles are designed specifically to prevent any scavenging and they can help your dog not pick up or eat things that are potentially life threatening to them. As mentioned before a common muzzle misconception is that muzzles are only for aggressive or dangerous dogs. Many dogs you see out on the street may be wearing a muzzle to prevent scavenging on the walk.
New Experiences
Many dogs struggle with anxiety and new experiences can bring this anxiety up very quickly. Having a dog muzzle trained can add a layer of safety when taking any dog to a new environment or experience. Even though as owners we learn to read and understand our dogs, they can still be unpredictable in situations. For example, introducing your dog to a baby for the first time, or letting your dog who is dog selective meet another dog. While a muzzle can’t prevent all issues from occurring, it can be the difference from a few scratches and a nasty dog bite.
Aggression and Fear
This last section is undoubtedly the reason most people believe dogs wear muzzles. Muzzles stop aggressive or fear aggressive dogs from biting and causing any harm to others. However, I would like to encourage everyone to look at muzzles a little bit differently. Rather than think that only bad dogs have to wear muzzles and your dog is mean because they wear one, consider it as an added level of security. Knowing that your reactive or aggressive dog is muzzled can allow you to coexist in the world safely. Your dog will not be able to cause physical bite damage. You will undoubtedly have to advocate for your dog more since they are unable to defend themselves if they get into an altercation, however, it can prevent you from dealing with the repercussions of your dog biting someone else and being labeled a dog who is too dangerous. Even if your dog isn’t reactive or aggressive, if they bite another dog because they’re defending themselves or others, you and your dog can still be held responsible. You can’t control other people’s dogs but you can control how you manage your own.
Conclusion
While this entire post may be a bit of a ramble, the main takeaway is that you never know when you might need a muzzle and having your dog at least be trained to wear one can come in handy. The best case scenario is you’d never have to use a muzzle in your dog’s life, however, muzzles can protect you and your dog from some of the worst, potentially life threatening scenarios.
