| When talking to people about obedience training | | | | without any notice. Owners of dogs which display |
| dogs, one question that is often asked is whether | | | | these character flaws need to take responsibility to |
| muzzles for dogs are a good idea or not. Is is cruel | | | | ensure that their dog does not harm anybody or any |
| to muzzle a dog? Is a muzzle strictly necessary? And | | | | other pets. |
| can good obedience training negate the need of a | | | | The short-term fix is to use a muzzle. Are dog |
| muzzle? In this article we will discuss these questions | | | | muzzles cruel? Absolutely not, providing that the |
| and provide some common-sense answers for | | | | owner ensures that the muzzle is the correct fit for |
| anyone facing this dilemma. | | | | the dog and is aware of what the dog can and |
| When you have the opportunity to train a dog from | | | | cannot do whilst wearing it. In fact, in some |
| being a very young puppy, you can create | | | | countries, certain breeds have to be muzzled in public |
| preventative measures against aggression or | | | | by law. |
| excessive aggression as the dog grows. This would | | | | There are various muzzles available but they tend to |
| take the form of making sure that you socialise your | | | | fall into two types; rigid muzzles which completely |
| dog properly at every given opportunity as well as | | | | enclose the dog's snout and soft, elasticated muzzles. |
| firmly establishing your authority as pack leader. | | | | The former are usually made from thick leather or |
| These strategies are well documented and | | | | plastic and completely prevent the dog from biting |
| thoroughly explained in many training courses available | | | | anything. In addition, however, the dog can not eat |
| on the internet. | | | | or drink while the muzzle is attached so care has to |
| In some cases, however, there are dogs which get | | | | be taken over the length of time a dog is wearing |
| into a frenzy of excitement too great to heed a | | | | one. The latter, elasticated muzzles bind the upper |
| command from the pack leader. It is not that the do | | | | and lower jaws. With these, it is possible for the dog |
| not hear or understand, more it is an inability to | | | | to open its mouth so can drink and eat but the |
| control the adrenalin rush and act accordingly. If this is | | | | pressure from the elastic makes opening the mouth |
| a frequent occurrence it is often advisable to have | | | | wide enough to cause serious injury impossible. |
| the dog castrated (as it tends to be more of a | | | | An owner needs to use some intelligence over when |
| problem with male dogs). If a dog has a particularly | | | | a dog is muzzled. Maybe if children or strangers are |
| high level of testosterone in it's bloodstream it can | | | | coming to the house or during walks are sensible |
| then have a problem controlling itself in these | | | | times to put it on the dog. Also putting a muzzle on a |
| circumstances. When testosterone levels have | | | | dog when going out into the garden is a good idea |
| diminished - which in older dogs can take a year or | | | | so that the dog gets used to the idea that the |
| more - the dog will tend not to display these | | | | muzzle is one or he doesn't get let out or do what |
| aggressive attributes. | | | | he wants to do. I once had a very obedient dog, for |
| There are also breeds of dogs, like spaniels and pit | | | | example, who would get aggressive about coming |
| bull terriers, which can suffer from something known | | | | back inside when called. A muzzle meant that any |
| as 'rage disorder'. This is when a dog can be behaving | | | | amount of aggression at this point was negated, |
| completely normally one moment and then, all of a | | | | making it easier for me to train him that I was boss |
| sudden, turn into an aggressive, dangerous animal | | | | at these times. |