does a muzzle hurt....?

Question

i want to start walking my dog with her muzzle and i know that a dog needs to pant to cool off will a muzzle not let her cool off enough?

she's a pitbull, and very good. It's just that I think it will bput my neighbors at ease a bit more. and she is getting bigger and as pitbulls become adults they get very protective over thier owners/handlers. I really doubt she'll ever do anything but I don't want a little dog to bark at me and have my dog eat it whole!!

Answer 1

What kind of muzzle is it? If it doesn't let enough air in for the dog to pant, you don't want to be using it anyway. Does your dog need a muzzle to be walked? If so, perhaps you should consider taking her for some training so you can have a dog whose company you enjoy - including her walks.

Answer 2

It depends on the type of muzzle you use. There are basically two different types: mesh, and cage.

A cage muzzle is the type that the dog in Lady and the Tramp wore. It surrounds the mouth without actually putting a lot of pressure on it.

A mesh muzzle does encompass the mouth and fits a bit more snugly than a cage muzzle.

In either instance, it should not be causing any pain and the dog should still be able to drink and pant.

Mind if we ask why you need to walk your dog on a muzzle in the first place? Is she aggressive towards other dogs and/or people? If so, you may want to find her a safe, out of the way area to walk where you know there won't be a lot of foot traffic. Speaking with a behaviorist is also advisable.

Answer 3

A basket muzzle will allow them to pant if it's fitted correctly. One of those cheap grooming muzzles that velcro the mouth shut clearly don't allow panting and are not for this kind of use.
Now I will mention you need to teach the dog to wear a muzzle if you don't want a miserable walk. Start by holding it over the nose for ONE second petting & prasing so shes too buzy eating that up to worry over the muzzle. gradually increase the time & eventualle even put the strap on still prazing away.

Answer 4

This wire basket cage dog muzzle is used by The Humane Society.
Works great for hard-to-handle dogs during visits to the veterinarian or groomers.
The wire basket cage muzzle is highly recommended by Veterinarians, Dog Trainers & Behaviorist.
The wire basket dog muzzle will discourage dogs from biting, chewing and eating unwanted objects such as rocks & sticks.
The wire basket dog muzzle will allow for the dog to breath freely, pant and drink water.
The wire basket dog muzzle can be worn while the dog is walking, playing or running.
The dog muzzle is made of chrome wire and leather.
The straps are adjustable and won't stretch.
The nasal part inside the muzzle is made of leather, but is also lined and padded with felt for the dogs comfort.

Medium Breed Size Large: Length 4" -- Circumference 12-1/2"
Please measure your dogs snout!
How to measure your dogs snout:
Length - measure your dog from his eyes to the tip of his nose.
Circumference - measure approximately 1" below his eyes around the snout. This should be the widest part of the snout just below the eyes.
For medium dogs add approximately 1" to 1-1/2" to the dogs exact circumference of his snout.
For big and large dogs add approximately 1-1/2" to 2" to the dogs exact circumference of his snout.

Answer 5

I have to walk my bull arab muzzled, not because he is nasty, but because in my area, any dog over a certain weight has to be muzzled in public, and he almost doubles the weight (213lbs). He has an extremely wide head, nearly a foot across, and he has a short-ish nose. I couldnt find any muzzle big enough to fit him other than a nylon one, ordered from the manufacturer. But it does allow him to pant, drink, bark and do everything, except open his mouth wide enough to bite, but he can still kind of nip. Ask your vet for advice on how to fit a muzzle properly, there are different ones for different breeds and head shapes and nose, stoop lenghts. A muzzle should be loose enough to allow the dog to do everything but bite.

Answer 6

No people use muzzles on dogs all the time. There are different kids of muzzles too. You might want to find one used in warm weather that they can pant with it on.

Answer 7

A basket muzzle will not hurt your dog. It will allow her to open her mouth and pant and drink water normally.

Before jumping to conclusions about this asker's dog, perhaps she owns a restricted breed where the law requires that the dog wear a muzzle when in public, whether aggressive or not? I know in my city, amstaffs and pit bulls MUST wear muzzles when they are in public, no matter how well-behaved they are. Stupid breed-specific legislation.

Answer 8

buy a muzzle a bit bigger so that your dog can pant normally

Answer 9

Depending on the muzzle, they can pant, drink water and bark. No, muzzles don't hurt.

Answer 10

How would you feel with teeth wired shut going for a walk and you needed to gasp a big breath? Pretty claustrophobic? Yeah I think it's too much anxiety. Train the dog.