Suitable Muzzle For Using At Obedience

[4 Paws]

Hi,

I am going to start attending some obedience classes at a local club here.One of my gsd's has some dog aggression which i have seen k9 force and been working on it and feel we're ready to go out into the big wide world to test our progress.

I mentioned in my email to them that she has some dog aggression issues and they said she would have to be muzzled till she is approved by the chief instructor as being non aggressive to other dogs.

Just wondering what kind of muzzle would be suitable as obviously I'm hoping it will only be a short term thing so don't want to spend a fortune on

thanks

[DeltaCharlie]

This is the one I used for Cody at agility and obedience. I think it would be too small for a GSD but if you want to try it you are welcome to, its a large I think. Im not using it for anything at the moment.

[Tonymc]

4Paws,the best person to consult about the muzzle is Steve. Tony

[jaybeece]

I use one that's pretty much identical to what DeltaCharlie posted. My dog hates it, but it allows him to pant better than any others I've tried.

[Poodle wrangler]

I asked about muzzles a while back and the wire type were suggested to me.

The nylon type are cheap, but don't allow much panting/ airflow.

[DeltaCharlie]

Cody used to fight against anything I put on his face. Haltis, cloth muzzles etc. When I realised I was going to have to start muzzling him at agility as a precaution (we moved into the top class where there was a very aggressive dog who Cody hated) I started looking around. The plan was to put the muzzle on him every single time he left the house, whether it was for a walk, training, the vets etc. I wanted him to associate the muzzle with a good thing (going out). That was the whole reason he wore one for obedience, he didn't need one but it kept the consistency going.

He never fought that muzzle though. Whether it was because I put it on him every time or whether it was just less restricting I don't know. He knew how to get it off but after the first few times he realised I would just slip it back on again and he didn't bother. He became much calmer with it as well. He rarely lunged at other dogs and started allowing other dogs to get right in his face when their handlers were stupid. He was fear aggressive though, so it would be different to your situation. I always took it off him at the end of class when they all ran together. Not once in his life did he have an issue off lead as he knew he could outrun the other dogs if he felt threatened. A whack from a muzzle wouldn't be in the best interest of the other dogs though.

[4 Paws]

Thanks for the info DeltaCharlie,I've been to petbarn and they're ordering one of the same ones in for me

[jaybeece]

He never fought that muzzle though. Whether it was because I put it on him every time or whether it was just less restricting I don't know. He knew how to get it off but after the first few times he realised I would just slip it back on again and he didn't bother. He became much calmer with it as well. He rarely lunged at other dogs and started allowing other dogs to get right in his face when their handlers were stupid. He was fear aggressive though, so it would be different to your situation. I always took it off him at the end of class when they all ran together. Not once in his life did he have an issue off lead as he knew he could outrun the other dogs if he felt threatened. A whack from a muzzle wouldn't be in the best interest of the other dogs though.

My boy hates it more than anything else he's had on his face unfortunately. I need to do more positive work with him while he's wearing it though so that will hopefully help a bit. I get the feeling that it doesn't fit as well as it could so I'm going to measure him up and have one ordered that's more suitable for his face.

Surprisingly he's been ok with wearing it at obedience at least. At first he fights it, but once we get moving he seems to forget about it, especially when it means he can go offlead wearing it. Having him clonk me with it on over enthusiastic recalls isn't any fun I'm just glad I'm not male ;)