What do you think of muzzled dogs at dog parks?

Question

A few weeks ago I was at the dog park and a little dog was there running around with a muzzle. Apparently, the owner was a guy with a couple youngish kids. When they were getting ready to leave, somehow one of the kids took off the dog's muzzle. I overheard the dad say something like "What'd you do that for? He can kill another dog." Now, likely he was exaggerating, but still...

In one way, I look at it and say that the dog park can be great for unsociable dogs to learn appropriate dog social skills. I totally sympathize with these people if this is what they're attempting. On the other hand... if that dog really is dangerous... is it worth the risk?

OK, so some stupid kid took off his dog's muzzle. But not all dogs have stupid kids attached to them. If the muzzle is secure, do you think it's that bad?

Would you leave the dog park if a muzzled dog showed up?

If you had a dog you were rehabilitating, would you ever take him to the park muzzled to develop his socialization skills?

Thanks guys. Some really interesting answers. I'm actually sort of surprised by the answers.

About the dog I saw: It was used more as an example of the question of dogs with muzzles at dog parks.

But anyway, yes, it was actually wearing a muzzle, not a Halti or other head halter.

It was a small breed known for being feisty. Unless I've got a good reason, I try not to name breeds in a negative context, so I'll refrain here.

Answer 1

I would be completely fine with having muzzled dogs in a dog park. I completely agree that aggressive dogs shouldn't be allowed in dog parks without muzzles, but I think to some extent we have to respect that there are dogs who are still going through rehab and training processes, and the presence of other dogs and humans is essential to this process. As long as the owner is willing to muzzle his dog and keep a watchful eye on him, I'm fine with it.

I would be so sad if I was rehabilitating a dog and brought him muzzled to the dog park, and everyone disappeared the moment I came in. It's clear that an owner bringing his aggressive dog to the park for socialisation only wants the best for his dog and wants to cure his problems. So I think I would give the owner the benefit of the doubt, and cooperate with his goal (to socialise his dog) by not taking my dogs away.

On the other hand, of course, I think it also depends on the extent of the aggression...if it is just slight fear-aggression, barking when dogs get near or so on, I'm fine with it. If it is really drag-the-owner-off, snarling and snapping kind of aggression, then I'd say group training would be best.

Answer 2

What I think this all really comes down to is why is the dog muzzled in the first place? The poster who said their dog is muzzled because it becomes over-excited and nips...that's responsible and I'd have no problem having my dogs around his muzzled (or unmuzzled) dog. In LiaChien's post it was stated that the dog that was muzzled was very large and appeared to be aggressive and out of control. I would not want my dogs (or myself) around any animal like that. It's not the muzzle, it's the reason for it. So, if a dog shows up that's muzzled I would keep my dogs and myself away and watch the behavior and see if the dog appeared aggressive. If the dog does not appear aggressive I would approach the owner and delicately ask what the muzzle is for. I agree that a dog park is not the place to rehabilitate your dog. It may be a great place to go without your dog and explain your situation to other experienced dog owners and set up some play dates. There are just too many reasons that a dog's owner may feel the dog needs a muzzle, it's not necessarily a sign that an animal is dangerous.

Answer 3

Keep in mind folks, a LOT of structured get-togethers (i.e. ex-racing greyhound meet-ups) require that all dogs in the play area are muzzled. Yes, dogs nip and tug and they may break skin and it may be normal, but a muzzle will prevent that nasty tear or snag. It's a safety precaution.

So, no, I would not leave the park if a muzzled dog was brought in. If the dog was TRULY dog aggressive, the dog would go after other dogs, regardless of whether or not it's wearing a muzzle. So if a TRULY aggressive dog entered the dog park, then I would leave. But if not, no, I wouldn't leave.

I think it's unreasonable to condemn owners who bring muzzled dogs into the dog park for socialization reasons. Besides from structured socialization classes, how else do you expect these people to safely socialize their dog? In fact, I have a dog I'm "rehabilitating" right now and I use a muzzle on her when we hit the off-leash trails because, while we've not had an incident in several months, I do it for the benefit of other dog owners and for peace of mind.

As with any other training tool on the face of this earth, proper usage of the muzzle on the correct type of dog can be a benefit for both the dog, the owner, and the public, but you must use it in appropriate situations, with the appropriate dog, and at the appropriate time.

Answer 4

I would take him with a muzzle and a slightly loose pinch collar on until i know that i can trust him. No, a muzzle is to protect others and sometimes the dog there is no way, unless the muzzle is not storng enough, put on inccorrectly or, someone takes it off, that the muzzle will come off that dog so, there is no reason to stop your dog from having a good time. No, i think that if the muzzle is secure its an owner taking precautions to protect other people and their dogs. I mean, what if you had a dog that was abused and not friendly and it needed to exercise? I would put a "HUMANE" muzzle,not a piece of rope, on the dog and try to socialize it. Was the dog off the leash? Because that almost desttroys the whole effect of the muzzle. We live overseas and the airllines require your dog to have a muzzle while traveling. We have a nice adjustable, cloth, muzzle that is pretty strong. Using a muzzle really all depends on why. *answerd backwards

Answer 5

That's a hard one. If I saw a dog with a muzzle and then a kid took it off, I would be concerned for the safety of my dogs. Muzzles are put on for a reason. Pretty irresponsible parents if you ask me. If I saw a responsible owner and the dog was muzzled, I would probably think that was a good owner who knew their dog and was being very careful.
I have a dog who would not be able to go to a dog park without a muzzle. I haven't made a decision yet on if I will take her, as she is kind of unpredictable with dogs and people-I may just keep her at home to socialize with the rest of my pack. I just don't know if I would take the chance of that muzzle coming off in a public place. Of course, this is my first dog I have owned with fear aggression, so as I learn more about this, I may change my mind.

We have recently had some killings at local dog parks in my area, all from dogs who were not wearing muzzles. They were mostly larger dogs who killed small dogs-in minutes, I might add.

Thank the stars I have a fenced big yard for my kids to play in safely!

Answer 6

Personally, if I had a dog that needed that much work, a dog park is not where I would begin. I think a proper training class, where there is some repetition of the animals that the dog will see each week would be a better start.

But if a dog came in with a muzzle, and I was confident it wasn't coming off, then it would not bother me. The bad thing here is that sometimes, another dog might instigate something and that dog with a muzzle is unable to defend himself properly in that event. So I'm not so sure it's safe for the dog with the muzzle.

Answer 7

There is nothing wrong with having a dog with a secure muzzle at the dog park, and there could be more then one reason that the dog was wearing it (some get jealous easily over toys, some are skittish around other people, some are dog aggressive, and some are just overly mouthy...). I would be perfectly fine with staying at the park with the muzzled dog. I would probably take the dog to the dog park later on in the rehabilitation but not at the beginning. I think I would start with simple walks around the neighborhood.

Answer 8

First off dogs are not people and do not socialize in the same way. Many times when dogs play in dog parks it's not uncommon for a little blood to flow (just a little). This is NORMAL and does not necessarily mean that the dogs involved are bad or aggressive dogs. They are after all ANIMALS. Some are more passive than others while some can be a bit more aggressive.

Regarding the muzzled dog. Some people are phobic regarding possibilities like getting sued by someone because, for whatever reason, their pet either might bite some one or other pet.

Should this person be denied the opportunity to bring their pet to the dog park especially considering they've taken precautions? Of course not.

The guiltier person is the fool that allows a lap dog to mingle with larger breeds which is why most dog parks have separate areas set up for smaller breeds

Answer 9

I take my dogs to the dog park every day and I don't think I'd leave if I saw a dog enter wearing a muzzle. Sometimes I think about muzzling one of mine as he is always grabing other dogs by their neck in play. I doubt that the dog was really dangerous. You didn't say what type of dog it was only that it was little. Dog parks are good places to get dogs socialized because you can walk them around the perimeter letting them sniff and watch the other dogs from the outside before introducing them to directly. A muzzle is a safeguard for the owner and other dogs, especially if the owner isn't really sure how the dog will react. I see nothing wrong with it, but that is my opinion only.

Answer 10

No I would not leave if I saw a dog muzzled in the dog park. Some dogs need to be muzzled in order to get use to being around other dogs. How else would you socialize them? (this is one way)

If i was unsure of a dog I was rehabilitating, I most definitely would have the dog muzzled.

I"ve been know to muzzle my dog so someone that was scare of her could see she was no harm. Dogs can sense fear. In the long run it benefited her and the person, now they are not scare of her.