Muzzles: What Is Their Role?

Muzzles,  in their various formats, have long been associated with aggression or  ‘dangerous’ dogs.  It’s a stigma that will likely follow them for a very  long time to come, despite widespread education as to their numerous  purposes, because it is very difficult to change long-standing and  universal opinions.

They are  often associated as being worn by aggressive dogs, or in the case of  greyhounds, due to their chase or prey drive.  It is a constant  frustration for greyhound owners to have people cross the roads or  otherwise avoid them because their dog is wearing one.  Though while it  can be infuriating to have people tell their children to stay away from a  dog because the muzzle means their dangerous…wearing a muzzle is a sign  of responsible dog ownership.

Recent  events, and news, regarding the XL Bully ban mean that this is soon to  be the reality for bully owners as well.  With muzzle sales and muzzle  training classes soaring in preparation for the new rules, we thought it  might be a good idea to reinforce all the reasons that muzzles are good  thing and not something to be feared or for dog owners who use them to  be discriminated against or judged, for it is never the wrong decision  to chose to use a muzzle!  
Regardless of the reason  or situation, having your dog muzzle trained and prepared for the event  they may need to wear one, such as for visits to the vet or groomer, can  prevent them a great deal of distress at wearing one!

In  relation to greyhounds, why do they wear them?  What is their role?   Greyhounds are known for being passive and laid-back dogs and, as a  rule, they are not aggressive…so why do you always see them walking  around with them on?

Greyhounds,  in the majority of cases, have only ever known racing kennels and other  greyhounds.  They are rarely socialised with any other dog breeds during  their racing careers.  As a result, it can be a bit of a shock to the  system to retire into a rehoming centre and suddenly be faced with  cockapoos, shepherds, and pugs...when in their minds, they are the only  dog breed to exist!

As they are  already muzzle trained as part of their careers, they take no issue in  wearing one in their retirement if fitted correctly and used in a  positive way.  Greyhound adopters are always given a muzzle and directed  as to their use, and generally advised to wear it for the initial few  months in the home.

The reason  for this is not because they are aggressive, but to ensure safe  introductions between the greyhound and other breeds.  Regardless of  temperament, or their sociability, muzzles ensure peace of mind.  This  is particularly important as the initial weeks, and for some months, can  be very stressful for a greyhound and a stressed dog may not act how  they ordinarily would.  They’ll be acting on instinct, may misread other  dogs’ intentions or feel threatened and overwhelmed which may result in  defensive behaviour.

It doesn’t  mean that they are a bad dog, or that they’re reactive or aggressive, as  largely it will be situational (as we’ll discuss in future posts) but  the muzzle ensures that if any such situations arise, no harm will come  as a result.

Unfortunately, due  to the stigma that muzzles carry, a lot of people will choose not to use  them as they believe they are cruel or that the dog is unable to defend  themselves.  This can post a great deal of danger in that no one can  truly know how a newly adopted dog is going to respond to new  situations, other dogs, children, traffic, cyclists, and other  instances.  Especially in the case of greyhounds, as they have likely  never experienced any of these things!

Wearing  a muzzle isn’t a forever thing…it is a short-term insurance and a sign  of responsible dog ownership.  You are advocating for your dog, and are  ensuring their future!  

Most  rehoming centres, or rescues, will advise wearing muzzles for different  lengths of time after adoption.  But 2-3 months is the best time frame  to work toward.

This is because  the first few days the dog will be overwhelmed and running on autopilot,  the following couple weeks they will be settling in, finding their  confidence, and starting to test boundaries as they learn domestic life.   At 2 months in, theoretically your new hound will be well familiarised  with their routine, their usual walking routes and will have been  socialised with a good range of breeds…but they won’t start to feel  properly at home, and be confident in their environment, until around  the 3-month mark.  By which point you as the owner will know how the dog  responds to new situations.  
While 3 months may  seem like a long time, it can take anywhere up to a year for a hound to  have fully settled in.  Even beyond that first year, your hound may  still be having ‘firsts’!  Their personalities, confidence and  behaviours change dramatically over those first months leading up to the  12-month mark…so wearing the muzzle for 2-3 months is a very sensible  approach!

But apart from settling  your hound in, and everything associated with that, there are still  countless reasons why muzzles are beneficial.  They are a fantastic tool  for all breed and making sure your dog is comfortable wearing one,  whether a greyhound or otherwise, is incredibly important!

Here are just some of the reasons you might want to muzzle train your dog:

• When you have a new dog and want to socialise them safely.
• To prevent them from eating things on walks that they shouldn’t.
• If your dog is reactive or uncomfortable around other dogs/specific breeds/genders.
• If you need to take them to the vets and they’re either nervous or in pain.
• If your dog struggles in being groomed/having their nails done
• If they have had surgery or an injury and need to be prevented from licking something or chewing stitches!
• If you are introducing them to a new dog or family pet.
• If you are introducing them to new situations e.g., children.
• If you are introducing them to an existing pet already in the home (particularly if they are a smaller breed)
• If there's a lot of wildlife or cats around where you live.
• If your dog plays a bit rough and you want to prevent any accidents.

But  you may be reading this thinking; do I really need to us a muzzle at  all? The answer is yes...apart from the numerous reasons we’ve listed,  even if you know and trust your dog…you can never account for every  situation and every dog.  Particularly off lead, out of control, dogs  that are resulting in an exponential increase in dog attacks across the  country.

Think of it this way…

When  driving, you put on a seatbelt to protect yourself in case of an  accident, right?  But just because you’re wearing a seatbelt doesn’t  mean you’re out looking to get yourself into an accident!  It could  quite easily happen anyway, and you wouldn’t be suitably prepared!  This  could land you in a situation that could have been easily prevented in  having had your seatbelt on in the first place...

Muzzles  are your dog’s seat belt. You are using them to protect your dog in the  event of an accident. No matter how well you follow the rules e.g., use  a lead or harness or walk at a safe distance, you cannot guarantee that  a situation won’t arise that your dog is not comfortable with such as  an off-lead dog invading their space where they might get scared and  potentially react.

But it is  equally important to remember that while using a muzzle can give you  peace of mind in a number of ways and situations, they cannot be used as  a replacement to socialising your dog, learning their behaviours and  quirks, and introducing them to new environments and situations at their  pace.

You do not want to force  your dog into situations they are not sure about, or into meeting  people, children, or other dogs unless they’re confident in doing so.   You want to ensure positive experiences, and avoid overwhelm, so that  that wearing the muzzle does not become something that is needed long  term.

What is also important, to you as a dog owner, is not to let anyone muzzle shame you into taking it off your dog!
We  understand more than anyone how judgemental people can be, but they are  not a negative thing, it is not a punishment for the dog.  They are a  training aid, a safety tool, and are there for peace of mind.

Then begs the question, of which type of muzzle should you use and how do you fit them?

With any dog breed, you want to use an appropriately shaped or breed specific basket muzzle!  

Basket  muzzles (as pictured) do not hurt or restrain the dog and allow the dog  to carry out natural behaviours and facial communications to other  dogs.  They provide enough space to let the dog pant, drink water and  dogs can rest comfortably while wearing them.
This is  the most desirable and kindest form of muzzle.  Alternative muzzles,  such as fabric muzzles or other restriction muzzles, should not be used  in the day-to-day format as they hold the dogs mouth shut preventing  panting and communication.  This can be uncomfortable and distressing  for the dog and prevents them from self-cooling or being able to drink.

These  restrictive muzzles can have their place, but only in very short-term  instances, for instance they are frequently used by dog groomers when  doing nail trims…but ideally, basket muzzles are preferable even in  these situations for the dog’s comfort and freedom to pant.

As  for how to appropriately fit them, with greyhound basket muzzles, they  tend to be a universal size but you can get lurcher and whippet muzzles  should your greyhound has a particularly small head!  Or alternatively,  you can just poke additional holes in the strap to be able to buckle it  up shorter!

In the picture you  can see the optimal fit.  It is sitting close to the nose but not  touching and a comfortable distance away from the eyes.
To  have it one too loosely means the dog can easily shake or paw it off,  or in the event of an incident it may come off by accident…defeating the  point of wearing it in the first place!