Owning a Reactive Dog
We're sure by this point we sound like a broken record when we say this, but reactive dogs can present a significant challenge for dog owners. Our reactive pups can act fearfully to several different stimuli, which often makes walks and social interactions stressful and potentially dangerous.
Muzzles are perhaps one of the best tools you can invest in when it comes to managing a reactive dog. In order to help other dog owners, we wanted to discuss the role of muzzles in helping reactive dogs, the types of muzzles available, and the best way to use these aids.
What is a Reactive Dog?
These dogs overreact to different things or situations, also aptly called 'triggers'. The most common trigger types are other dogs, strangers, loud noises, or new environments. The kind of reaction your dog displays can be vastly different from other reactive dogs. However, most reactions range from barking and lunging to snapping and if close enough, biting. Understanding the nature of your dog's reactivity is especially important for managing and training a reactive dog effectively.
Unfortunately, owning a reactive dog can impact our lives in a multitude of ways. Not only are most reactive dog owners stressed and anxious about their dog's social capabilities, but our reactive dogs more often than not display the same stress and anxiety. This is why finding effective management tools, such as a well-fitting muzzle, is important for fostering a safe and controlled environment for you and your pooch.
What is a Dog Muzzle?
Muzzles are an effective contraption that is placed over your dog's snout to prevent biting and in some cases, barking. The most common use for muzzles is as a safety instrument for yourself, surrounding animals, veterinarians, or even your dog's groomer. Muzzles come in a variety of designs and materials, which are purpose-built for different needs and preferences.
The Types of Dog Muzzles Available
- Basket Muzzles: These are primarily made from strong plastic, metal, or rubber. Basket muzzles allow dogs a little bit of extra space compared to other types of muzzles, which is perfect for allowing your dog to pant, drink, and take treats while preventing them from biting.
- Soft Muzzles: Generally these muzzles are made from a type of fabric or mesh, and sometimes neoprene. Soft muzzles wrap around your dog's snout, restricting movement far more than basket muzzles. Soft muzzles should typically only be used for very short periods, like when your dog is attending a veterinarian appointment.
- Mesh Muzzles: Made from a breathable mesh material, these muzzles can provide comfort. We do not recommend a mesh muzzle if your dog is a bite risk. However, a mesh option may be ideal if you need something for your pup while on public transport or in other situations when sociable dogs require a muzzle.
Understanding the different types of muzzles that are available and their specific uses is the first step in determining what type of muzzle you need. Using these simple descriptions, you now have a starting place for beginning your muzzle-search journey.
Do Muzzles Help Reactive Dogs?
Benefits of Using Muzzles for Reactive Dogs
Muzzles are fantastic training aids for reactive dogs. Using a muzzle for a reactive dog can bring several benefits, including ensuring the safety of both the dog and others while aiding in training and behaviour modification.
Safety for the Dog and Others
The most obvious benefit of using a muzzle is safety. Using a muzzle can:
- Bite Prevention: As muzzles provide a physical barrier, they can help prevent a dog from biting and potentially causing harm to a person or other animal.
- Reduces the Risk in High-Stress Situations: As mentioned, in environments that trigger a reactive response, muzzles act as a precautionary measure for all parties involved.
Helps in Training a Reactive Dog
You can also use a muzzle as an effective training aid as follows:
- Facilitates Positive Reinforcement: With the muzzle in place, owners and trainers can safely engage in behaviour modification exercises for dogs that have a bite history, or are at risk of biting.
- Encourages Calmness: Dogs have an amazing ability to create associations with their surrounding environment (I mean, that's why we have reactive dogs). Knowing that your dog can't bite can help you and others remain calm, and in turn, can help your dog relax.
Reduces Stress in Public Settings
- Your Peace of Mind: With a muzzle, you can take your dog out in public without constantly worrying about a reactive incident that could cause injury. As mentioned above, this can help you and your dog exhibit calmer behaviours during walks and training.
- Improves Socialisation: Gradually introducing the dog to new stimuli with a muzzle can aid in socialisation efforts. This must be done in a controlled environment, where a positive association can be made for your pooch.
- A Muzzle can be a Deterrent: While this is a less-obvious factor, one of my favourite things about muzzles is that they can deter strangers from approaching your dog because it looks "scary." We own a stranger-reactive dog and once we started using a muzzle in addition to her "Give me Space!" vest, we noticed far fewer people actively trying to engage with her - this ultimately helped us make strides in our desensitisation training.
How to Properly Fit a Muzzle
A properly fitting muzzle is important for the comfort and effectiveness of this valuable tool. If your dog's muzzle is fitted poorly, it can cause discomfort and even harm to your dog, which can result in a negative association. So, how do we measure and fit a muzzle?
Steps to Measure and Fit a Muzzle
- Measuring Your Dog's Snout
You need to make three different measurements here - the snout's height, width, and length. We have placed a couple of infographics (featuring our resident pooch, Jess) to help you with making these measurements.
- Choosing the Right Type of Muzzle
The majority of the time we would recommend purchasing a basket muzzle. This is because it is the most flexible in terms of purpose. You can use basket muzzles for nearly all situations (except for barking) and they are the most comfortable for your dog. However, a soft or mesh muzzle may suit your needs if your dog is less of a bite risk and requires a muzzle due to barking or your environment's policy (public transport or private business space).
- Strap Adjustment
Importantly, you will need to ensure that the muzzle is snug but not too tight on your dog. Your dog should be able to pant and drink water comfortably in a basket muzzle, and for soft or mesh muzzles, your dog should not be wearing them in hot weather or during intensive exercise.
- Check for Comfort
Check around the back of your dog's head, around their snout, and under their chin for pressure points. You need to make sure there are no points of pressure or areas that might chafe with the use of a muzzle.
Importance of a Proper Fit
- Injury Prevention: As you've probably realised by now, a well-fitted muzzle reduces the risk of chafing and other potential injuries.
- Ensures Effectiveness: If the muzzle is too loose, the dog might be able to remove it. If it’s too tight, it can cause discomfort. So it's important to check the head and snout straps on a muzzle.
- Promotes Positive Association: A comfortable fit helps the dog develop a positive association with wearing the muzzle, rather than seeing it as an aversive tool.
Training a Reactive Dog to Wear a Muzzle
Training your reactive dog to wear a muzzle can be a long process. It requires patience and a tonne of positive reinforcement because we're often dealing with dogs that have developed strong negative feelings due to fear. Proper muzzle training ensures that your dog is comfortable and accepts the muzzle without any type of resistance.
Introducing the Muzzle to Your Dog
- Allow your dog to sniff the muzzle and inspect the contraption in its own time. We do not want to try and immediately put the muzzle on. Simply just leave it on the floor for them to approach and check out by themselves.
- Once they've had a good sniff and look at the muzzle, pick it up and begin offering treats through the muzzle to establish a positive association. You can continue doing this for a few days before attempting to equip the muzzle.
Some Positive Reinforcement Techniques
- Every single time your dog shows any type of interest in the muzzle, reward them with treats and verbal praise. You should be using a cue like "Yes!" to inform your dog that you're happy with their action.
- Once you've established a positive association with the use of treats and praise, start putting the muzzle on for short periods inside the house and in your garden. Gradually increase the time the muzzle is worn and continue providing treats and praise.
Gradual Desensitisation Process
- Begin by putting the muzzle on your dog indoors in a calm environment with treats and praise.
- Initially, keep any muzzle-wearing sessions short - literally only a few minutes at a time.
- Once you've spent several days desensitising your dog to its new muzzle, gradually increase the duration as they become more comfortable.
- Finally, once your dog is comfortable indoors and in the garden, practice wearing the muzzle on short walks and in more stimulating environments. Do not push your dog too much, we should still be seeing lots of treats and praise!
Misconceptions About Dog Muzzles
Unfortunately, there are strong misconceptions about dog muzzles, often leading to their misuse or avoidance. Sometimes clarifying these misconceptions can help dog owners make better, more informed decisions.
Myths About Muzzles and Aggressive Dogs
"Only aggressive dogs need muzzles."
- Once upon a time, we had a colleague with a miniature breed reactive dog who said this - it used to blow my mind! Muzzles are a safety tool for any dog that might bite due to various factors, which range from fear, pain, or reactivity, not just aggression.
"Muzzles are a cruel device."
- Recent legislative changes have made me consider this more heavily. In this sense, I've found muzzles 'cruel' due to policy-makers forcing the wearing of muzzles on only some dog breeds due to perceived risk. However, when it comes to the actual use of muzzles when used correctly, they are humane and can prevent harm.
The Reality
The reality is that muzzles are an amazing training tool. They can help provide a safe way to manage potentially dangerous situations and enable training without the risk of a dog causing injury. These factors allow us to use positive reinforcement to take place effectively.
Alternatives to Dog Muzzles
As we've established, muzzles are a valuable tool. However, they're not the only option for managing reactive dogs. Combining the use of muzzles with other training and management strategies can be super effective for improving our dogs' behaviour.
Behaviour Modification Techniques
If you're too intimidated to use a muzzle on your dog just yet, or you want to pair additional training with your dog's muzzle while out and about, you should consider the following techniques.
- Desensitisation: You can gradually expose your dog to triggers at a level they can handle without reacting and then slowly increase the intensity. Use this with treats and positive verbal cues.
- Counter-Conditioning: This goes hand-in-hand with desensitisation, but you can reinforce a change in your dog's emotional response to triggers from negative to positive using treats and praise.
Professional Training and Additional Support for Reactive Dogs
Sometimes it's just too difficult trying to set up safe situations for our dogs in order to work on their reactivity. Consider arranging a consultation with a professional behaviourist as they can provide personalised strategies for managing reactivity and assist with training. Or you could consider enrolling your reactive dog into training classes that offer structured support and socialisation opportunities. Our reactive dog began attending a group reactive dog class that made a significant improvement in her behaviours.
Selecting the Best Dog Muzzle
As mentioned, you need to ensure that you select a muzzle that provides maximum comfort and effectiveness for your pooch. Some of the design factors that go into choosing a muzzle include:
- Appropriate Sizing: Some muzzles are better suited to slim dog snouts, while others are better for shorter snouts. You must measure your dog's snout accurately to avoid discomfort.
- High-Quality Materials: Different materials support different needs. Obviously, a basket muzzle will require a strong plastic or metal, while a fabric muzzle should be soft and well-stitched.
- Comfort: Some muzzles will provide additional padding for your dog if they are prone to skin irritability. Consider this when looking for an appropriate brand.
Our Muzzle Recommendations
The Muzzle Movement
We've raved about The Muzzle Movement previously, but honestly, they're just that good. The founder of The Muzzle Movement was inspired by her own rescue dog, Tolly, who had a history of physical abuse and as a consequence, he would use aggressive behaviour when approached by unfamiliar people.
There is a huge range of muzzle sizes available from The Muzzle Movement, in a broad colour palette. All of the muzzles are designed with function at the forefront with strong plastic. The strapping of the muzzles is waterproof and each muzzle includes a perfectly positioned treat hole.
The ethos of The Muzzle Movement's design is that they want muzzled dogs to feel comfortable and happy, alongside being safe.
As a result of being huge fans of these muzzles, we have become an affiliate with The Muzzle Movement! You can use this link and coupon code THEBARKBLOGUK for 10% off your purchase.
Baskerville Ultra Muzzle
Company of Animals have been creating and designing various dog products for over 40 years and their knowledge and experience shine through with the design of their training products. The Baskerville Ultra Muzzle provides you with reassurance in various situations - and for those around you, seeing a muzzled dog shows responsible pet parenting.
With the Ultra Muzzle, your dog can pant, drink and receive treats freely. The muzzle is resilient TPR with a collar loop, removable head strap and lockable neck clip. The shape of the muzzle also ensures that your dog is comfortable at all times, and without the use of metal, the muzzle is lightweight.
The Ultra Muzzle is available in a variety of sizes, making it ideal for small, medium and large dogs. Click this link to purchase.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using Muzzles
The incorrect use of muzzles can lead to a lot of discomfort and ineffective management for your pooch. Please avoid some of the most common mistakes to ensure your dog's well-being and safety.
Improper Fitting and Sizing
The company that you purchase a muzzle from will often have a specific fitting and sizing guide. Please ensure that you refer to the relevant websites for this information. A muzzle that is too tight can cause pain and anxiety for your pooch, while one that is too loose can easily be removed.
Over-Reliance on Muzzles Without Proper Training
At the end of the day, you need to train your dog so that he or she is best prepared for any scenario. A muzzle should not be a replacement for training, but rather, it should be a tool used to complement it. As we all know, reactive dogs need behaviour modification to address the root cause of their reactivity. The sole use of a muzzle can actually exacerbate your dog's issues, so do not rely on one without working on their reactivity.
Ignoring Your Dog's Discomfort
This is a big no-no in our books. Do not leave muzzles on for extended periods without any breaks - your dog needs to be able to pant and drink freely and simply not feel confined all of the time. You need to also regularly check for any signs of irritation or chafing on your dog's skin and adjust the fit of the muzzle as necessary. You may actually need to try a few different muzzle designs to find the perfect match for your pooch.
Conclusion
You're likely reading our blog because you're working on your dog's reactivity. So consider the following - muzzles are a valuable tool for managing reactive dogs, ensuring safety while facilitating training and proper socialisation.
By researching the different types of muzzles, their benefits, and proper fitting and training techniques, we can all make informed decisions that enhance our dogs' quality of life. Please always ensure that you combine the use of muzzles with positive reinforcement training to help address the underlying causes of your dog's reactivity, to create a balanced and confident dog.
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