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Should Your Dog Wear A Muzzle?

Muzzles are a piece of equipment which are designed to keep a dog’s mouth closed, so they can’t bite or bark.

In this article, we will examine the pros and cons of using a muzzle for dog training purposes.

I admit that muzzles do appear fairly unpleasant to you and me.

But you’d be surprised at how most dogs quickly learn to wear them, and more importantly, they actually feel happy wearing them.

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Here’s a run down of some of those situations:

Firstly, they are perfect for stopping a destructive dog from chewing. Although if your dog has a chewing problem, it’s important that you address the issue which is causing this instead of using a muzzle.

Muzzles also stop your dog from scavenging and eating unsavoury items that aren’t healthy for him. Sometimes you won’t notice they have eaten something they shouldn’t have, or you’re too late in stopping him.

You can also get what is called a ‘basket’ muzzle, which means your dog will still be able to bark and pant – so it’s far less restricting for him.

The first time you use a muzzle your dog will most likely try to take it off.

You’ll need to be prepared for this, and help your dog relax and feel comfortable with it on. Something to remember is that you should never attempt to remove the muzzle if your dog is pawing at it.

Instead, simply distract your dog to stop him pawing at it then remove the muzzle when he has calmed down.

Muzzled dogs should not be left unsupervised for long periods of time. Although it may seem cruel to some people, there are some advantages. The advantages of muzzling are that it prevents your dog from scavenging, cuts down the risk of bites, and reminds your dog that you’re in control.

Your dog should be able to open his jaws and pant freely while wearing the muzzle. If you follow this rule, your dog should never feel uncomfortable while wearing a muzzle.