Is it reasonable to allow a muzzled dog to run off-leash?

Question

Let's say hypothetically you own a dog that under the law requires a muzzle (we have that law where I live in Ontario for pit bull type dogs). Do you think it is reasonable to allow them to run off-leash with familiar dogs that they used to play with?

Is it reasonable to let them off-least with strange dogs?

Do you think it would cause a somewhat aggressive dog to become more aggressive?

Do you dogs would attack the muzzled dog?

Yes I am speaking of places you can legally and safely allow your dog off-leash.

I didn't know I needed 20 more mommies.

Answer 1

I think it's reasonable to allow them to run off-leash with familiar dogs, but with new, strange dogs, I would allow them to meet in a situation where /both/ dogs are leashed (I'm sick of the assumption that the dogs that need muzzles are obviously the ones that will attack first). The owners are there to break up any possible mishaps, but if they appear friendly with each other and interested, I don't see the harm in allowing them off-leash after meeting. However, all of this, leashed or unleashed, should be 310% supervised by the owner of the dog, and the owners of any other dogs who are at that dog park. (Though if this isn't at a dog park or on private property, just somewhere in the streets, obviously no dog should be off-leash.)

Would it cause a somewhat aggressive dog to become more aggressive? I doubt it. I don't understand why it would. They get to play and have fun, and even though it's under the limit of the muzzle, it's better than having to be held back on a leash and not taking part in that fun. If the owner's just not caring, not picking up on any aggressive signs that should surface, even subtly, earlier, that's the owner's fault. A lot can be seen through the dog's body language that should indicate friendly or unfriendly behaviour, so I say if that aggression's not seen beforehand, there's not so much of a chance of that dog becoming any more aggressive.

Would other dogs attack the muzzled one? I also doubt it. As I said before, dogs should be introduced in a highly supervised situation and leashed to their owners to determine whether they could play safely or not. I don't see why other dogs would try to attack a muzzled one. A muzzle doesn't exactly come off as an injury that would make a dog look vulnerable, and I'm not sure if it appears as a weakness, but I wouldn't foresee it. However, all owners should still be keeping their eyes peeled.

Answer 2

Unless it is in an off-leash dog park or a fenced in yard I don't think any dog should be allowed to run off leash. Wether it be a Pitt-bull or a Yorkie. Yes the muzzle will keep that dog from biting. But it will not keep the dog from running in the road, being hit by a car, or even being attacked by another dog. I do not know if a non muzzled dog would attack one with a muzzle but in the case it does how would the dog defend it's self.

Answer 3

Well, first you will need to check with your city laws. Where I am from, a dog is required to be on a leash unless it is in a fenced yard. I would keep your dog on a leash because if another dog is playing with your dog and the other dog becomes aggressive, your dog wont be able to defend itself because it has a muzzle on. The other dog may bite your dog and your dog cant do anything because it has on a muzzle. I would see if there are any fenced dog parks near your area. All big dogs must have on a muzzle, in that situation I think you would be ok.

Answer 4

Man I'd be pissed if they passed a law like that where I live! I am SO sorry for all of the pit bulls in your area.

First off, I think that you should definitely get a basket muzzle for your dog if you don't already have one. This still allows your dog to open his mouth and bark, but it's sort of like a... basket that surrounds his mouth so he wouldn't be able to bite. It will be more comfortable for him.

I personally wouldn't let him go off leash with strange dogs while he has a muzzle on, as he has NO way to protect himself if one of the dogs attacks him. He would be utterly defenseless.

As far as going off leash with dogs he is friends with--try it first with the leash on, and if they are getting along okay, then try it off leash.

You should also really let him get used to wearing the muzzle before letting him off leash. When he has something strapped to his face like that and he's not used to it, he will probably try to paw at it and take it off. This can cause a problem because he could actually scratch his own eyes or face. He should be totally used to wearing it before he wears it without you close by.

Answer 5

Dogs tend to run after a muzzled dog as they may perceive it as different". In Ontario pit bulls must be muzzled but if it is not able to play with the other dogs with the muzzle on and the other dogs just chase and harass it that muzzled dog should leave the park.I saw this yesterday and the pit bull kept trying to rub against us humans to get the muzzle off which was also as annoying as any dog jumping on a person and the owner did nothing. She still has to ensure her muzzled dog is not bothering people and I did tell her so. Next time I will tell her to control her dog or leave just like any other dog who is annoying and not under owner s voice control

Answer 6

I would imagine that if the law dictates that the dog has to wear a muzzle, it also dictates that the dog has to be kept on a leash, as leashing a dog is a lesser measure. It would make no sense to allow dogs that the city perceives to be dangerous run loose in public.

Answer 7

First, of course, you are speaking of letting him run off leash in an area where that is legal.
Whether or not your pitbull can run off leash with other dogs depends on how well socialized your dog is, if he/she is spayed/neutered, the other dogs running with him/her.
If the dog is already somewhat aggressive, it could frustrate your dog and make him/her more aggressive.
The other dogs probably wouldn't attack the muzzled dog, but it could cause an increase of barrier frustration.
I'd recommend against it.

Answer 8

A muzzled dog is a defenseless dog. It can be attacked by others who see its muzzle as a sign of weakness. Depending on the type, muzzles interfere with activities such as panting (needed when exercising or running), drinking, etc. As a side note, if the dog needs to be muzzled for behavioral issues to let it run "free" is to put it and other people and dogs in danger.

-RVT

Answer 9

I don't think any dog should be muzzled while playing. It leaves it totally defensless, even if it is around other dogs that it knows you never know when a little game can turn in to a fight, and I have seen it happen. If something happens like some one is approaching or there is danger how can it bark to alert you? A muzzle on a dog will not keep it from danger or anything...it just assures you that it won't bark.

Answer 10

I stay in an house complicated as properly and my canines is often leashed as quickly as we walk around the complicated. no longer in straight forward terms is it a call for from the complicated, yet I purely think of that's courteous to those people who're afraid of canines (besides the certainty that mine might lick you to dying before something) and people who've small canines who won't like greater canines. on an identical time although, I do take her to a pair close by woods and allow her run off leash there. She listens o.k. to me and that i've got in no way had a topic with different canines. She has many tags on her collar so she jingles rather lots while she's working so as that enables human beings hear her before she meets them. i like letting her off the leash so she would be able to run and be loopy and get all her power out without being constrained. I somewhat have hip issues, so working for me is out of the question yet she prospers from it. Like I pronounced in the previous, if we are around lots of persons, or interior the city, then she is leashed just to stay away from any achieveable issues. :)