Getting a muzzle for your dog can be a topic for debate. While sometimes it might seem cruel to your pet as they cannot eat, drink, or even open their mouth properly, on the other, it can seem necessary to protect both you from biting or your pet from eating dangerous things or to avoid aggressive behaviour of the animal during its treatment. In one instant you might find your pet better with the muzzle, the next second, it might hit you emotionally while seeing your companion under such restrictions.
With so many questions, there is only one answer when and why you need to have a muzzle around your furry friend. Here, we are going to tell you everything a dog owner should understand about muzzle training and whether it will be right or not for your pet to wear a muzzle.
Is Getting A Muzzle Will Be Right For My Dog?
Whether a muzzle is right or wrong for your dog lies in the fact of when or why you are using it. Some common benefits of muzzle Training are given below:
- A muzzle can be the right option while taking your dog to new or unfamiliar places where there might be chances that your dog will pick up or eat dangerous objects.
- Getting your dog a muzzle can be necessary while treating your dog to avoid the chances of getting bitten. Chances are likely that a canine will get aggressive while going through a surgical treatment or while getting an injection.
- The muzzle is highly recommended while treating your dog for aggressive behaviour.
- It can be worn by a dog as a safety precaution while encountering any unfamiliar faces.
- Dog muzzle can be necessary even for the most friendly pet as you have no idea of their reaction under uncomfortable or unpredictable situations.
Why Do Some Dogs Wear Muzzles?
Why do dogs wear muzzles? Common situations where you might need a dog muzzle include:
- Treatment or while giving an injection.
- Nail Trimming.
- Pet grooming sessions or during a bath.
- In case of a situation that might be threatening to your dog, it will increase the chances of aggressive behaviour.
Muzzle Training Your Dog
Considering the requirement of a muzzle being necessary, it is recommended that your dog should be ready to wear a muzzle whenever it is required or considered. Also, It is obvious that at first, your pet will resist the muzzle. Thus, there is a requirement to provide your dog with muzzle training.
Dog Muzzle Training
This is not an easy one-time thing, also it is really necessary to avoid any mistake the first time you introduce your pet with a muzzle as it might be a bit difficult the next time. The main thing to keep in mind is that for your dog to learn that getting a muzzle will not be harmful. You can do that through positive reinforcement or rewarding behaviour. Following is a proper step-by-step process that you can follow for training a dog to wear a muzzle:
- The first step is to show your dog the muzzle. Let it sniff it and make sure it isn't harmful. You can repeat the step a few more times.
- Make sure that the dog finds the muzzle interesting or curious positively. You can check the same by touching the muzzle to the dog’s nose.
- Now the next step is making your per familiar with the habit of getting a muzzle around the nose while showing also that this isn't harmful.
- For this, take a treat in one hand and a muzzle in another. First give a treat to your dog, once he accepts it, put another treat in the muzzle. And carefully show it in front of the dog. Once your pet goes for the treat, gently tie it around the dog's face. Or else, you can repeat putting a treat inside a muzzle a few more times, and when it seems right to you, then tie the muzzle around your dog's mouth.
- Once you put the muzzle, you need to repeat it immediately. You need to repeat the step where you put the muzzle for few more times and each time increase the duration.
Benefits Of Dog Muzzle Training
This will make your pet comfortable around the muzzle. You need to repeat the last step for a few days or do it with regular frequency during the upcoming week. This will make you comfortable. Make sure you don't put the muzzle on for a very long time.
How Long Can A Dog Wear A Muzzle?
While putting a muzzle can be necessary depending on the situation, it is not advisable to put it on for a very long time. The common reason why you need to puzzle for a long duration is that your dog is sick or going through treatment. So to prevent others from aggression or prevent the dog itself from infection or picking up dangerous objects, a muzzle seems right. So, the answer to a very common question “Can a dog wear a muzzle all day” is a strict “NO".
Why Do Racing Dogs Wear Muzzles?
Racing dogs are trained in such a way to be energetic and competitive. While a few breeds are considered perfect for racing events, the Grey Hounds are the number one pick which are also known for their high prey drive. With all that training, chances are likely that during the event, the dog might be competitive or even more; aggressive. Therefore, to prevent the dogs from any critical injury and getting on one another, the racers prefer to put a muzzle on the dog’s mouth.
Another Home: The Right Spot For Your Dog Training
Muzzle training can seem easy but it can be a bit difficult to make your pet familiar with a thing tied around their mouth. While it seems quick with all these steps, the whole muzzle training involves repeating the same thing again and again. While you don't find enough time to provide your dog with proper training, we are here for you to train your pet and make him your best companion. At Another Home, not only dog muzzle training, you can find a perfect dog boarding facility for your furry friend with all the facilities dedicated to your pet's proper growth and training.
Suggestion Reading: Best Pet Boarding And Training Service