09/16/2022
🚧 Is your dog comfortable in a muzzle ? 🚧
Meet Cricket the Shiba 👋🏼 Doesn’t he look insanely handsome in his muzzle?!😍 I believe that almost all dogs should be comfortable and confident in a muzzle. Yes, even “good dogs”.
Part of my puppy raising protocol is muzzle conditioning. It’s also a regular topic/exercise between me and my behavioural clients.
Muzzle conditioning, when done correctly, is no different than trick training. It actually starts the same way…. Boop muzzle = treat!
Here are just a few of the many reasons I believe dogs should be comfortable in a muzzle 👋🏼
☀️ Accidents happen. I hike with a muzzle in my pack. Why? Because even if your dog is the most well tempered dog, pain can still cause even the best dogs to bite. Need to remove 100 cactus from your dog? Need to carry your dog with a broken leg down a mountain? A muzzle helps your dog and you feel safe even in maximum pain.
☀️ Helps prevents blockages. I hike with some friends whose dogs love to gobble down bones, sticks, dead animals etc. No one loves dealing with emergency vet blockage surgery or cleaning up puke all night. Dogs that love to gulp down treasures on trails are a great candidate for muzzle conditioning.
☀️ Vet care. No matter how much cooperative care training you do - there may come a point in time that you decide a muzzle is the appropriate tool at the vet office. It lowers the nervous energy/nerves of some vet techs and your dog. Calmer energy never hurts. Trust me - vet teams appreciate this!
☀️ Grooming. As dogs age and their bodies get older and more painful- maintenance grooming can begin to hurt. Pain may cause your dog to snap or nip. Your groomer may feel more comfortable with handling part of the groom with your dog muzzled. Muzzle conditioning helps your dog feel comfortable too.
☀️ New dog introductions & interactions. Sometimes some dogs need a little extra help with dog on dog interactions. A muzzle helps keep their pointy end under control and may help keep the emotions of the handlers under control too.
☀️ Evacuations. Here in Kelowna the odds of being evacuated due to forest fires are a reality. If you aren’t home and a team is sent in for your pets they may be crated and or muzzled.
☀️ Household dynamics. Muzzles may play a part in managing house hold dynamics in play or day to day life. Working alongside of a trainer to help integrate muzzles into your day to day home interactions is advised.
☀️ When required due to breed-specific legislation. Unfortunately, some states or provinces have breed specific legislation (BSL), which requires certain so-called “dangerous breeds” to wear a muzzle when not on private property.
So the next time you see a dog in a muzzle - train your brain to realize that the dog is a good dog with an owner who values the confidence and safety of their dog and others around them. Provide space but don’t assume the dog is a “bad dog” or having a “hard time”.
There are many types of muzzles - so if you have questions about which muzzle is our favourite or best for your dogs please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Thanks!!!
Sarah
