Muzzles Get a Bad Rap

Muzzles get a bad rap.  I have walked hundreds of playful, social dogs in my career as a group off-leash dog walker.  I used to cancelled dogs that were somewhat unpredictable - the kind that played well most of the time, but would occasional get over-excited and nip the other dogs.  Then one day I put a muzzle on my own dog.  I felt bad at first, but he was getting a bit cranky as he matured, and the only other option was to leave him at home.

I am so glad I made that choice.  It led to the realization that using a muzzle is the key to freedom for so many dogs.  With the use of a muzzle, otherwise shunned dogs can play and socialize - no more being left out of the fun.  Since then I have used this method with many other dogs, enabling them to have fulfilling social lives while removing that one negative behaviour from the mix.

The best muzzle to use is a cage muzzle (italian basket muzzle).  These muzzles give your dog room to move their mouth, allowing them to pant and drink.