Winterspring
Well-Known Member
Okay. So I have my first vet appointment with Taurus on Saturday. He is accustomed to wearing a head collar and having stuff wrapped around his face for a minute or two while we play. I know it's not the same thing, but it should make wearing an actual muzzle easier since he doesn't mind when his face or head is messed with. (The doggie towel-turban on bath day is a hoot.) So. Training him to wear one shouldn't be too terribly difficult.
One teensy problem when ordering a muzzle.
How the hell do I measure him? Yes, I understand that I measure from one part to the next, and around the widest part of the snoot, but what about all that extra skin? And the Dewlap? How do I account for the flews? Especially since I detest the basket muzzles. I assume I leave about a finger or two's worth of space under the straps for comfort, but all that extra skin confuses me. (Cat = take collar from package, put collar on cat. Annoy cat. Let cat go.)
This goes for collars, too. Where should the collar sit on a Fila or any other loose-skinned dog? How much room should be allowed for the extra skin? He seems pretty comfy in his cheap-o collar right now, but I'm not entirely sure it's the best for him. (Again, I grew up doing a lot of stuff with horses, and leather has always been my preference for larger animals. Sturdy and easy to clean, nice look and easy to fit.)
I understand that padding is pretty much a MUST, and I want him to be able to vocalize (including a warning growl), drink, accept treats when he's behaving, so I like the muzzles that are bands around the face with straps attaching it to the head.
Also...halters. Should I put the collar on with the muzzle AND the halter? I kind of thought as much, because of tags. And yes, I realize that Taurus will look like some SCA-refugee war dog. (Nothing wrong with that, of course.)
Again. Thank you for all your help.
One teensy problem when ordering a muzzle.
How the hell do I measure him? Yes, I understand that I measure from one part to the next, and around the widest part of the snoot, but what about all that extra skin? And the Dewlap? How do I account for the flews? Especially since I detest the basket muzzles. I assume I leave about a finger or two's worth of space under the straps for comfort, but all that extra skin confuses me. (Cat = take collar from package, put collar on cat. Annoy cat. Let cat go.)
This goes for collars, too. Where should the collar sit on a Fila or any other loose-skinned dog? How much room should be allowed for the extra skin? He seems pretty comfy in his cheap-o collar right now, but I'm not entirely sure it's the best for him. (Again, I grew up doing a lot of stuff with horses, and leather has always been my preference for larger animals. Sturdy and easy to clean, nice look and easy to fit.)
I understand that padding is pretty much a MUST, and I want him to be able to vocalize (including a warning growl), drink, accept treats when he's behaving, so I like the muzzles that are bands around the face with straps attaching it to the head.
Also...halters. Should I put the collar on with the muzzle AND the halter? I kind of thought as much, because of tags. And yes, I realize that Taurus will look like some SCA-refugee war dog. (Nothing wrong with that, of course.)
Again. Thank you for all your help.