Muzzle

[Jarena]

We finally started muzzle training, she’s doing really well!

 

[trg]

Looks like good progress.

 

[Boxergirl]

Excellent! She's doing really well.

 

[TylerDurden]

Nice! Very calm and definitely off to a great start.

 

[Sawsealady]

We finally started muzzle training, she’s doing really well!

Why would one muzzle train? Sorry for asking I'm new to this

 

[Jarena]

I think it’s good to have them like it and be used to it, just in case it’s ever necessary. My girl recently had some blood work done and I was told she was very anxious and the vet muzzled her. My trainer and I decided it’s a good idea to get her to like being muzzled so next time we have blood work done I can have her already muzzled and there will be no problem.

 

[CeeCee]

Why would one muzzle train? Sorry for asking I'm new to this

I started out using one with my boy as he was very reactive and unpredictable as we got him more comfortable in new situations, but I've since used one when taking him to the vet. I have a dog who cannot control herself around goose poop and no matter how closely I watch her, she was still finding it...BLICK! And have also used it when my boy had a hot spot he insisted on working at. The Elizabethan collar shut him down, because it was already conditioned to the muzzle it was a great solution for when I could not be right there with him.

Turns out it a darn handy tool to have in the tool box.

 

[Zeela]

Why would one muzzle train? Sorry for asking I'm new to this

I personally would never muzzle train, just my 2 cents.

 

[Boxergirl]

I personally would never muzzle train, just my 2 cents.

May I ask why?

 

[Zeela]

I guess I feel it may be cruel and then again, I am not an expert. I never had to with my dogs, I also had an Akita. I am only saying from a point of view as pet dog owner only, it may be different for show dogs. I believe in respect training.

 

[Jarena]

I guess I feel it may be cruel and then again, I am not an expert. I never had to with my dogs, I also had an Akita. I am only saying from a point of view as pet dog owner only, it may be different for show dogs. I believe in respect training.

I thought they looked cruel too. That’s exactly why I’m working hard at making her LOVE her muzzle. We have been working on it for 2 weeks now. I put peanut butter inside of it a few times a day and she licks it out. I have been training really really slow, I haven’t even fastened the straps yet. But she is learning that the muzzle is a *great* thing! Now my boyfriend and I call it the “M” because we can’t even say the word “muzzle” without her getting excited

 

[Boxergirl]

I don't think it has anything to do with being a show dog or teaching the dog respect. A muzzle is intended to be used for short periods of time, not worn constantly. It is also not to be used for barking or chewing. It's simply a safety tool. Like any tool, I don't think a muzzle is cruel when the right kind is being used and it's being used properly. I believe that it's highly likely that in the dog's lifetime there will probably be a situation when an owner may need to use a muzzle for the safety of the dog, a person, or for both. My daughter works at a veterinary emergency clinic and the nature of the work means that they often do have to muzzle, for everyone's safety. Breed specific legislation may require certain breeds to be muzzled when in public. It's much kinder, in my opinion, to make the tool a good thing that doesn't cause anxiety so that in the event that it does need to be used, it's not a big deal.

I think that training a dog to be okay in a crate and wearing a muzzle are two of the most important management lessons. I know that the vets and techs can always tell which dogs have this training and which don't. It makes a stressful vet visit or stay much less stressful.

 

[Boxergirl]

I thought they looked cruel too. That’s exactly why I’m working hard at making her LOVE her muzzle. We have been working on it for 2 weeks now. I put peanut butter inside of it a few times a day and she licks it out. I have been training really really slow, I haven’t even fastened the straps yet. But she is learning that the muzzle is a *great* thing! Now my boyfriend and I call it the “M” because we can’t even say the word “muzzle” without her getting excited

Jarena, that's awesome! Great job!

 

[Zeela]

I don't think it has anything to do with being a show dog or teaching the dog respect. A muzzle is intended to be used for short periods of time, not worn constantly. It is also not to be used for barking or chewing. It's simply a safety tool. Like any tool, I don't think a muzzle is cruel when the right kind is being used and it's being used properly. I believe that it's highly likely that in the dog's lifetime there will probably be a situation when an owner may need to use a muzzle for the safety of the dog, a person, or for both. My daughter works at a veterinary emergency clinic and the nature of the work means that they often do have to muzzle, for everyone's safety. Breed specific legislation may require certain breeds to be muzzled when in public. It's much kinder, in my opinion, to make the tool a good thing that doesn't cause anxiety so that in the event that it does need to be used, it's not a big deal.

I think that training a dog to be okay in a crate and wearing a muzzle are two of the most important management lessons. I know that the vets and techs can always tell which dogs have this training and which don't. It makes a stressful vet visit or stay much less stressful.

I may have seen things that were disturbing to me in the past to add to my opinion.
I agree, it is a tool and only a tool. I never had to use one before & maybe I will someday..thank you for the great clarification.

 

[CeeCee]

I thought they looked cruel too. That’s exactly why I’m working hard at making her LOVE her muzzle. We have been working on it for 2 weeks now. I put peanut butter inside of it a few times a day and she licks it out. I have been training really really slow, I haven’t even fastened the straps yet. But she is learning that the muzzle is a *great* thing! Now my boyfriend and I call it the “M” because we can’t even say the word “muzzle” without her getting excited

I'm with you. The training protocol I used took a minimum of three weeks. Now, the muzzle represents fun things and relaxation - depending on my energy.