Aggressive Biters and Chewers: Tips for Choosing Dog Muzzles

A dog muzzle can be a great help in training your dog if is an aggressive chewer or biter, or if he gets snappy around other dogs or people. Dog muzzles can help ensure your safety when you're working with your dog, as well as ensuring his own safety. There are many kinds of dog muzzles on the market, and it's important to choose the best kind for your dog and your needs.

What Is a Dog Muzzle?

Dog muzzles can be made of wire, plastic, leather or cloth. They are designed to keep a dog from barking, chewing or biting by restricting the amount that he can open his mouth or by covering his entire snout to keep him from getting his jaws around something. All dog muzzles have straps that go up over the dog's head and buckle behind his ears. The most restrictive types of dog muzzles completely enclose a dog's snout, often with leather. These dog muzzles are most appropriate for dogs that are aggressive biters, or for training dogs in body defense work. Less restrictive muzzles allow a dog to eat and drink but prevent him from biting or barking.

When Should You Use Dog Muzzles?

Whether and when you muzzle your dog will depend in large part on where you live and what you do with your dog. In the United States, for example, it's rare to see a dog wearing a muzzle except in specific situations, such as for grooming and vet visits. In the UK and Europe, dog muzzles are much more common, and in some cities, dog muzzles are required on some breeds of dogs, specifically Rotties and pit bulls, when they're out in public.

The most common time to use a dog muzzle for your pup is, as suggested above, when you take him to the vet or to the groomer. In fact, many vets and groomers won't consider performing certain procedures without muzzling a dog. You should also consider the use of dog muzzles when your dog is undergoing defense training.

When Not to Use Dog Muzzles

Never muzzle a dog when he is out of your sight. No matter who carefully you've fit your dog's muzzle, there is always the chance that something could go wrong. Your muzzled dog should not be left alone under any circumstance.

You also shouldn't ever use a dog muzzle as a punishment. You want your dog to be comfortable wearing his muzzle so that you don't have to wrestle him into it for the times when he must wear one.

Types of Dog Muzzles

The Baskerville muzzle is a soft, plastic mesh muzzle that's designed to fit over your dog's snout. It restricts your dog's ability to get his jaws around something while allowing him to pant and drink freely. Its basket design is the type recommended for bulldogs and other dogs with short snouts.

The Baskerville Ultra dog muzzle is another basket style muzzle similar to the Baskerville, but with two additional attachment points to make it almost impossible for your dog to escape.

The Mikki muzzle is made of tough nylon webbing. Its open-ended design restricts barking, chewing and biting, but allows your dog to pant and drink freely. Other fabric muzzles are designed for a similar purpose.

Dog muzzles aren't cruel and unusual punishment. They're an effective tool for training and can help protect both your dog and the people and dogs he meets.

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+Chris Robertson is a published author of Majon International. All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2011 (Wed Sep 28 2011) Majon International. Majon International is one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing and internet advertising companies on the web. Visit their main business resource internet marketing web site at: http://www.majon.com