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Thoughts on muzzle use?

   
Capone

ROO ROO ROO!!!		 
 
Barked: Mon Apr 13, '09 10:33pm PST 
Just wondering if any other dogsters dealing with aggression ever use muzzles with their reactive dogs & wanted your thoughts. Do you think it's a good or bad thing? I have never ever used one and I wouldn't even know what kind to get.

I'm considering using one for Capone. In the 9 months since we adopted him, he has bitten 2 people (including a child) & also started exhibiting aggressive behavior like lunging at strange people/dogs on walks.

But to give him credit, he has done much much better in the past couple of months as we started seeing a behaviorist and going to obedience classes. He hasn't had an "episode" in quite some time. (Although I don't know if that's more because he's changed his behavior or because we've gotten better at avoiding the things we think trigger it.)

So anyway, my original question was =) what do you think about using a muzzle? I'd like to start trying to take him to public places again, like maybe PetSmart, which is like going back to the scene of the crime since his very first act of aggression was biting a boy there. We've been able to take him to the park without incident, but even though there are many people & dogs there, it's a pretty big spacious park with lots of escape routes if we need to get him out of a potentially bad situation.

I just think using a muzzle would give us some extra piece of mind & maybe a little extra insurance, while protecting him & those around him. Does anyone else do this? Or do you think that if your dog needs to be muzzled, then he shouldn't be in public & around people in the first place?

Thanks in advance for any replies!

Edited by author Mon Apr 13, '09 10:36pm PST

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Bindi

Primum non- nocere
 
 
Barked: Mon Apr 13, '09 11:23pm PST 
After Bindi's bad experience with the vet she wears a basket muzzle when we go there now. Sometimes I get weird looks, I don't care, she's never bitten anyone and I intend to keep that way.

I'm using a Guardian Gear basket muzzle from PetEdge. I did have to modify it a bit though. When I got it unless I planned to puree treats and feed them through a syringe it wouldn't have worked the way it was. So I clipped out 3 of the front bars. It was very easy took maybe 15 minutes, a couple twists with a needle nose and the bars were gone then I filed the space smooth with a nail file.

Bindi has even figured out how to grab dropped treats with the muzzle on.

But make sure you slowly introduce the muzzle. Start by putting a treat inside and having him reach in to get it. When he's comfortable doing that you can start feeding him treats through the front while his nose is inside, this part is good for you too trust me it takes some practice to give treats through a muzzle. Eventually work your way up to actually putting the muzzle on, start short. Put it on give a treat take it off. Build on this and always make it fun. You want the muzzle to be a good thing for him.
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Molly

Let's play!		 
 
Barked: Thu May 14, '09 3:40pm PST 
A muzzle is great for as you said, giving peace of mind. Just make sure you condition him to the muzzle. Don't just strap it on and forget it. Also you might have to teach him to drink with the muzzle on. Some dogs need to know it's OK to dip the muzzle in water.

The best muzzle in my opinion is a basket type. Dogs seem to tolerate those better than most other types. Another good muzzle is a Jafco plastic muzzle. It's made of plastic and is much cheaper than a wire basket yet can be left on just as long without problem.

Whatever you do however make sure the dog can pant and drink water with the muzzle on. Panting is how dogs cool themselves and if they can't pant they will overheat and die.
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Biff

Squeaky squeaky!- Woof Woof Woof!		 
 
Barked: Tue Jul 28, '09 1:30pm PST 
I tried a muzzle on my dog when we had people over for a bbq last summer and it did not work. Not only was he more agitated than usual, but I was not able to calm him down at all. Without the muzzle I can get him to calm down after a little while.

He normally wears a gentle leader, so the only difference is that he can't bite with the muzzle on.

Every dog is different though. I have heard that some dogs are completely different when you put a muzzle on them. Unfortunately, mine is not.
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