At the GTHS, our Underdogs are a special group of pets who just need a little extra patience and training while they work on their behaviour, like reactivity. Just like us, these pups can benefit from routines and tools to help make their everyday interactions smoother and more enjoyable.
Let’s talk about one of those tools—muzzles. They’ve gotten a bad rap, because they are often portrayed as a sign that a dog is aggressive, or likely to attack. They are beneficial in many situations, even with generally non-reactive dogs. For our Underdog crew, learning to be comfortable in a muzzle opens a whole new world of adventure for them – they get to interact with their surroundings and other dogs in the safest way possible.
Muzzles Serve Many Positive Purposes
- They help dogs manage potentially stressful situations, even for dogs who aren’t considered “reactive”. A prime example of this is during vet visits, where necessary, but uncomfortable treatments are unavoidable. If a dog is in pain or discomfort, a muzzle ensures that the vet staff are safe during treatment. Muzzles can also be used in after care, to prevent dogs from licking or chewing at stitches or wounds in place of an e-collar.
- They can prevent them from eating non-food items. If your dog is prone to eating garbage, food, or potentially harmful things they find, a muzzle is a great tool to ensure that nothing undesirable or dangerous ends up in their mouth. Some dogs are prone to eating the droppings of other animals, which can cause adverse health reactions. A muzzle may be used on walks or at the dog park to stop this from happening.
- They help them manage if they are caught off guard. Dogs have a variety of cues that tell us when they are feeling stressed, from body, ear, and tail language, to growling and barking. These are often warning signs that a dog needs space before they are comfortable. Dogs will generally display some warning before they bite. A muzzle avoids a potential bite, although we should still ensure that our dog is brought into a comfortable environment.
Types of Muzzles
There are two primary types of muzzles: a basket muzzle, shown by our pals Donny and Bruno in these photos. These provide ample airflow and movement, and allow the dog to drink water, and even take treats. Soft muzzles are more restrictive and prevent the dog from opening their mouth. They should only be used for short time spans. A key to using muzzles is to train and condition your dog to use it well before it is required. This allows them to become comfortable wearing it, and it should be done over time, and in a way that is calm and non-threatening. (Great resources for introducing your dog to muzzles can be found here, and here)
If you’d like to learn more about bringing an Underdog into your family, our incredible adoptions counselors are here to help. They’ll happily answer any questions and show you what it means to welcome an Underdog into your home. They are available during our daily adoption hours from 12pm-4pm.
