Is it cruel to muzzle a dog?
No, its not cruel to muzzle a dog who is likely to bite or eat objects on walks. Wearing a muzzle can be just as comfortable as wearing a harness or collar. “In a well-acclimated, well-fit muzzle, a dog is going to be able to do everything they would normally do,” says Shikashio. Its an excellent way to provide freedom while assuring the safety of your pup and everyone around them.
Why Are Dog Muzzles So Polarizing?
Dog muzzles can look controversial. After all, they have an unfair association with “aggressive” dogs or “attack” dogs. But most canine experts agree that at one point or another in every dog’s lifetime, there may be a situation when an owner needs to use a muzzle. It might be for the safety of the dog, the safety of a person, or both.
For example, if your dog is seriously injured, the risk of a dog bite jumps significantly. While in severe pain, dogs can bite when you try to transport them or treat their wounds. And there’s no way to predict when such a situation might arise. Therefore, even if you never have to rely on a dog muzzle, it’s a good idea to understand why, when, and how you should use a muzzle on your dog. You also need to teach and train your dog how to tolerate and accept wearing a muzzle. Every dog should learn to love wearing a muzzle so if the day comes when they need to wear one, you and your dog won’t be stressed even further.
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How & Why EVERY DOG Should LOVE Wearing a MUZZLE
Muzzles are disliked by many dog owners, because we automatically associate a dog wearing a muzzle with aggression. But actually there’s a wide range of situations in which muzzles are required by the law (for example on public transport). With appropriate training, your dog should have no problem wearing a well-fitted muzzle.