Important Questions About Dog Muzzles

Article by Chris Robertson

Dog muzzles can be a useful tool to use with your dog. They can help you train your dog not to chew, help you control him when you take him on a vet visit or when you take him or her to the groomer. There are some important things to know and think about when choosing a muzzle for your dog and deciding when to use it on him.

When Should I Use a Dog Muzzle?

If your dog snaps when he's being handled - nails clipped, grooming or during routine veterinary care, for example - a muzzle can be a good idea. You might also want to use a muzzle when you're working on behavior modification, especially if the dog is prone to snapping or nipping while training.

What Is the Best Kind of Muzzle to Use?

There are a number of different types of muzzles, and the right one depends on both your dog and the reason you're using the muzzle. The Baskerville muzzle and Baskerville Ultra muzzle, for example, are plastic basket muzzles that are best used to help contain a dog who occasionally gets aggressive or who can't be trusted around other dogs. The soft plastic basket design prevents the dog from biting, but doesn't restrict his need to pant or drink.

The Mikki muzzle, on the other hand, is made of firm nylon webbing. It keeps your dog from biting, chewing and barking, but allows him to drink and doesn't restrict his panting or breathing. It's an ideal solution for the times when you need a little more control over your dog, such as when you take him to the vet or to the groomer.

How Long Can I Leave My Dog Muzzled?

In general, you should be more concerned about supervision than length of time. It doesn't matter how long you leave your dog muzzled, especially if you've taken care to choose a muzzle that fits well and is comfortable. But it is important that your dog should not be out of sight when wearing any type of dog muzzles. While problems aren't likely to arise, you should always have your dog within sight to ensure that you can deal with any issues that do arise.

What Kind of Muzzle Should I Use on My Dog for a Vet Visit?

Choose dog muzzles that are the least intrusive and most comfortable for your dog. A model that doesn't obstruct his vision and that provides lots of room for him to pant and breathe easily is the best choice. An adjustable muzzle can be the best choice for short term wear.

Whatever type of dog muzzles you choose, the most important part is getting your pet used to it before you use it for real. Follow these steps to acclimate your dog to wearing dog muzzles.

Make your pup's first experience with the muzzle a positive one. Show it to her while she's relaxed and while she's exploring it, offer her a treat. After she has the treat, put the muzzle away. Repeat this several times until she starts looking for the treat when she sees the muzzle.

Get your dog to place her head in the muzzle. Hold a treat just inside the rim of the dog muzzle. Praise her lavishly when she takes it. Gradually put the treat further inside the muzzle so that she eventually has to place her head into the muzzle to get the treat.

Once she's used to seeing and interacting with the muzzle, put it on her head and give her a treat while she's wearing it. Again, keep the time she's wearing it short, and don't try to fasten it until she can wear it for several minutes without getting upset.

Finally, fasten the muzzle and let her wear it for short periods of time, gradually increasing it until she's comfortable wearing it. Help her associate the muzzle with good times by playing with her and paying attention to her when she's wearing it.

Dog muzzles may look uncomfortable, but they can often save your dog from getting into trouble or acting out in stressful situations. Teaching her to wear a dog muzzle and choosing the best muzzle for your needs can make the use of dog muzzles comfortable for you both.

About the Author

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the world's MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web.Learn more about Dog Muzzles.

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