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You’ve probably seen a dog wearing a muzzle at some point, but you might be confused as to what exactly the purpose of muzzles is, and whether it’s humane for a dog to wear them. When and why should a dog wear a muzzle?
There is a fair amount of stigma around muzzles, as they have gained an (unearned) association with “aggressive” dogs. But muzzles should never be used to punish a dog or as a means of dealing with reactive behavior. Let’s dive into what muzzles are, and when they should be used.
A muzzle is a device that goes over the mouth of a dog (as well as other animals) that prevents them from biting or from opening their mouth. There are several types of muzzles, with basket muzzles generally being the most prevalent. A basket muzzle looks essentially like a basket strapped to your dog’s mouth. They allow for better air circulation than solid muzzles, and most styles of basket muzzle allow the dog to open their mouth enough to pant, eat and drink. You can also slip treats through a basket muzzle to reward your dog for good behavior.
Muzzles are a great tool that dog parents can use to prevent harmful behavior, while keeping in mind that they are not a solution in and of themselves. There are several situations in which a muzzle is a good idea:
Emergencies: A frightened dog is more likely to bite. In an emergency, it’s a good idea to have a muzzle around (along with a muzzle-trained dog). This is especially true if the dog requires emergency treatment, as they may bite veterinary staff.
Dogs with a history of biting: If your dog has bitten a person, or another dog, in the past, or if you think they might (e.g. they tend to lunge at other dogs when on leash), a muzzle is a tool that can provide safety and peace of mind on walks. As the AKC notes, it’s important to remember that the muzzle is not a solution in and of itself; it simply provides safety while you work on the behavior with your dog and a trainer. The muzzle in this case should be seen as a temporary aid to your ultimate goal of behavior modification.
A “scary” situation: As we noted above, dogs are much more likely to bite if they feel threatened. This can happen in many situations, such as going to the vet or groomer. If your dog is scared of these situations, especially if they require interaction with humans, a muzzle is a good idea. However, just like with dogs that have a history of biting, the muzzle should be used as a temporary tool while you work on behavior modification.
When breed-specific legislation requires it: Unfortunately, some places still have breed-specific legislation (sometimes called “breed bans”) in place, despite mounting evidence that it is ineffective and only serves to punish responsible dog owners. Some breed-specific legislation requires certain breeds to wear muzzles in public, regardless of their history or the situation.
You should never use a muzzle:
Training your dog to accept a muzzle is beneficial to both you and your dog because it makes stressful situations more manageable and less dangerous for all involved. A dog that likes their muzzle needs less “manhandling” at the vet, which is a better situation for the dog and all humans. Similarly, if your dog is ever in pain and in need of emergency treatment, being able to put a muzzle on them will prevent them from potentially biting you or veterinary staff. Ultimately, you want to be able to help your dog when they are frightened, ill, or in pain, and muzzle training means that all those situations will be made easier.
Finding the right muzzle: There are two main types of dog muzzles, plus the third option that you can use a homemade muzzle in a pinch. K9 of Mine offers some options for making a homemade muzzle, but remember that homemade one should be a last resort in an absolute emergency. It’s better to just keep a store-bought muzzle in your emergency kit.
Here are the two main types of muzzles:
Basket muzzles: These are the most common, and most people agree they are the most humane. Though the bars of a basket muzzle may look threatening, this type of muzzle is generally the most comfortable for dogs, because it allows them to open their mouth to eat, drink water, or pant. These, not soft muzzles, are the type of dog muzzles that allow drinking. You can also slip treats through the bars to aid with training. In most cases, you will want to opt for a basket muzzle.
Soft muzzles: Soft muzzles are usually made from fabric like mesh or nylon. A soft muzzle wraps around your dog’s mouth, holding the mouth completely closed. As you can imagine, this type of muzzle is a lot less comfortable for the dog, and has the potential to be dangerous because it prevents your dog from panting, which is a necessary behavior to keep your dog’s body from overheating. For this reason, you should only use a soft muzzle for a very short period of time, and never in hot weather. Soft muzzles also prevent dogs from barking, drinking or eating. This also makes it difficult to use treats for muzzle training. In general, soft muzzles are not as desirable a choice as basket muzzles. They are much more restrictive, less comfortable, and more dangerous. Opt for a basket muzzle if at all possible.
Muzzle training: Introduce your dog to the muzzle slowly, and provide lots of treats and praise along the way. Here’s what to do (over a period of 2-3 days):
Dog’s Day Out has a list of detailed muzzle training instructions and is a great resource.
Make sure you go slowly and do this process over a number of days. You want your dog to have only positive associations with the muzzle, and the best way to do that is to only move on to the next step when they’re ready!
Muzzles are a great safety tool, and muzzle training your dog is a smart way to ensure that you’re prepared for emergency situations. If you train your dog to like the muzzle, and use your dog’s muzzle properly, it can enhance their quality of life and strengthen the bond between you.
There is so much misinformation out there, we want to make sure we only provide the highest quality information to our community. We have all of our articles reviewed by qualified, positive-only trainers.
This is the trainer that reviewed this article:
Danette Johnston
Owner - Dog's Day Out, Ballard, WA
Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA)
Licensed AKC CGC Evaluator
NW Coordinator, Doggone Safe