Vicious beast? Animal cruelty?
Unfortunately, muzzles have gotten a bad rap over the years. People who see them instinctively feel that either the dog is crazed and dangerous, or the person who applied the muzzle is nothing short of an abusive monster. The fact is, muzzles are meant to provide safety. Nothing more, nothing less. The reasons for using muzzles are as varied as the dogs who wear them.
Let's address some common misunderstandings about muzzles.
1. The dog is aggressive and dangerous.
In extreme cases, you may meet a dog who is required to be muzzled at all times for the protection of the public at large. This is very rare. Muzzles are mostly situational in nature. The dog may be fearful of certain events or people, and may need the muzzle to prevent him from feeling cornered and striking out. Or, he may be highly reactive to small things that move, and need a muzzle to control his impulses when out walking so that he doesn't bring home dead squirrels. While you should never approach a muzzled dog without permission, do not assume that just because you see a dog wearing a muzzle, he is a violent killer.
2. Muzzles are cruel and prevent the dog from breathing properly.
A well-fitted muzzle is safe to use in normal temperatures and conditions. In other words, if a muzzle is needed during a vet visit, or grooming procedure, or even a walk around the block, as long as it's fitted correctly and the temperature is not extremely hot, the dog will be safe. Fitted muzzles allow for breathing, panting, even eating and drinking. Improperly fitted muzzles ARE dangerous, which is why you should always seek advice when choosing a muzzle for your dog. The muzzle pictured about, though it looks uncomfortable, is actually made of soft plastic with leather linings, and is fitted correctly and comfortably on the dog's head.
This is a muzzle I don't like to see:
Though the material is soft, it works not by caging off the dog's muzzle as the first one does, but by pinning the jaws together so the dog cannot open up for a bite. I find these muzzles far more dangerous, because to be tight enough to prevent biting, you are now interfering with the dog's respiration.
3. Muzzles make the dog more aggressive.
Dogs should always be carefully conditioned to muzzles as a positive experience. If you cram anything onto a dog's head in anger, you can expect a negative reaction. Military and police dogs are routinely trained to wear muzzles as safety precautions, and they have no negative associations with them. Racing greyhounds are often muzzled off the track because they have a tendency to grab for any small furry looking object that moves past them.
4. Muzzles are just for people too lazy to train the dog properly.
Training is never a bad thing. However, due to faulty temperaments, poor socialization, genetic predispositions, and a number of other concerns, there a times when a muzzle is simply necessary. A dog who was roughly handled early in life may never settle down to the idea of having a nail trim done, or a vet exam given. Dogs with poor eyesight may become reactive and snap at movement near their heads. Owners and handlers should always work with the dog as much as possible to alleviate the stress and reactions, but muzzling is simply a safety precaution that should not be refused for the sake of appearances. Nobody wants a dog to bite a human, animal, or hurt themselves trying to bite an object (grooming scissors, for example?).
There is much more that could be said on the subject, but hopefully this overview has been enough to get you thinking. The next time you see a dog in a muzzle, or, perhaps see that YOUR dog has to be muzzled for a vet or groomer, keep in mind that a muzzle is not the end of the world, nor is it a judgement against your dog or your training. It's a safety net- nothing more, nothing less.
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