05/26/2026
While looking through her photos today, I came across this video and wanted to share… I know there can often be a stigma around muzzles/dogs in muzzles. Muzzles can be SO important and beneficial. Whether keeping your dog from eating inedible objects that could make them sick, or getting them care they need. Sometimes we have dogs that are tolerant of regular grooming and health care needs, until they become painful or the procedure becomes painful. They likely don’t understand what’s happening or that we are only trying to help.
I muzzle trained both of our dogs when they were puppies. For situations like last week, I am so thankful that I did. Reya did not feel good, and I don’t even know how many times she had to get poked last week. The last thing I would’ve wanted, was to add to her stress by having to force a muzzle on her during a time she was already miserable and probably scared. (As sometimes we don’t know how our dogs will react, until they are put in a specific situation. At that point they are then forced to put a muzzle on and that doesn’t always go well). Having her already muzzle trained allowed her to get the care she needed and the vet and techs to give her the BEST care.
As you can see from this video, because it was trained well from the beginning, she was trying to get her face in the muzzle without me even asking her to. Our dogs have no problem wearing a muzzle and don’t see it as something negative or a type of “punishment” at all. This made it so easy to take the muzzle on and off her at the vet office when it was time for a procedure so we didn’t have to worry about what kind of reflex response she might have to an uncomfortable experience.
…Just wanted to share in hopes to build more understanding around one of the many reasons a dog could be wearing a muzzle and the benefits of muzzle training 🥰
