FOUR PAWS InternationalOur StoriesMuzzles for Dogs – Correct Fit and Training
Criteria for a good, suitable muzzle and tips for use
24.9.2024
There are certain situations in which it’s very useful, important, or legally required for a dog to wear a muzzle. A useful example being if your dog has already snapped once and you want to prevent such a situation occurring again in future or for bite prevention at the vet. Muzzles can be important if you are travelling with your food-oriented four-legged friend in an area with a poison bait warning. In some cases, muzzles are required by law, like when taking dogs on public transport or regionally for certain dog breeds.
It is very important that every dog has a suitable muzzle and is accustomed to it as early as possible, slowly and positively (see procedure below).
Your dog's muzzle must fulfil certain key criteria so that your dog's quality of life is not impaired:
- The muzzle must fit the head shape and the snout well: Muzzles are available in various sizes for different head shapes and muzzle lengths.
- Your dog must be able to pant, eat and drink: The muzzle should therefore offer enough space for the animal to open its snout, eat (e.g. treats) and drink water. In hot weather, the mouth must be open, and the tongue must be able to stick out for thermoregulation.
- A clear view must be guaranteed: The distance from the muzzle to the eyes or the eye line must be sufficiently large.
- The head must be protected from damage: This means that there is no rubbing or bruising in any area of the head that comes into contact with the muzzle. There must be some space (approx. 1-2 cm) between the rhinarium (the area around the nostrils) and the muzzle (for non-nose-free variants). The noseband should be softly padded so that important structures like the neck and larynx are not impaired and neither ears nor cheeks are squeezed.
- The muzzle must fit tightly (but not too tightly) and securely: this prevents it from slipping, being shaken off or being pulled off by other dogs (opt for a model with a browband if necessary).
- The muzzle must be bite-proof: If there is a real risk that your dog will bite or has already bitten humans and/or dogs, it must be ensured that the material is bite-proof. In risky cases, e.g. in animal shelters or after other biting incidents etc., we recommend a metal muzzle.
- There must be sufficient air circulation for adequate breathing: Closed muzzles or those with few/small openings hinder dog's breathing and impair its well-being.
Choosing the right muzzle
With so many muzzles on offer, you may be wondering how to find the best one for your dog. Here are a few tips:
- Take a few measurements to determine the correct muzzle size. To do this, measure the length from the eye line (the imaginary line that connects both eyes at the lower edge) to the tip of the nose to find out the required muzzle length. To determine the correct muzzle extension, start approx. 1 cm (for short-nosed breeds) - 3 cm below the eye line and measure around your dog's nose/muzzle. Add some length to the measured values, i.e. approx. 1 cm - 1.5 cm for small dogs and approx. 1.5 cm - approx. 2.5 cm for large dogs.
- Decide on a model and the material. Should it be plastic, metal, BioThane, silicone, or steel wire? leather, ...?
- Ask yourself what purpose the muzzle should fulfil and when or for how long it should be worn by your dog. Not every material will fulfil the required purpose. If the aim is to prevent biting incidents, a steel wire muzzle is recommended. Its disadvantage is that it is usually heavier than other models and can be uncomfortable if your dog rubs against your leg or bumps into you when greeting you with joy. Does your dog need the muzzle during training? Then choose a model that allows your dog to pick up its reward treats (caution: a muzzle like this is not a poison bait preventative!). If your dog has to wear the muzzle for a longer period of time, e.g. on a long train journey or because it is regionally prescribed for their breed, please make sure that the muzzle fits comfortably and allows a clear view, drinking, eating and panting.
- Note that not all muzzles are padded, especially on the inside (the part that sits on the dog’s muzzle). If necessary, you can add padding yourself and, for example, sew on a soft fabric or fleece strip to make your dog more comfortable.
- When selecting the material, also consider the cleanability of the muzzle and that it must be cleaned regularly, e.g. of food residue, dirt, etc.
Our tip: First define what your dog needs a muzzle for (bite and poison bait prevention, training, ...), then the important criteria that each model should fulfil (can your four-legged friend drink, eat, and pant with it?) and finally your personal requirements for the muzzle (lightweight, vegan, well-padded, ...). If you have a clear idea of what you need for your four-legged friend, take them to a good specialist shop and ask for advice. If possible, try out the models that you think are most suitable. There are now also good internet shops/online suppliers for muzzles where you can have a suitable muzzle made after measuring your dog.
Very important: A muzzle loop is not a muzzle
or an adequate substitute for a muzzle but is used exclusively for short-term bite prevention at the vet. It is made of closed nylon and fits relatively tightly around your dog's muzzle (to prevent a bite) and therefore does not fulfil the minimum requirements (eating, drinking, panting) for a muzzle. In the hot summer, dogs can overheat very easily if they are mistakenly used as muzzles on public transport, for example.
Do not choose a joke product
There are supposedly 'funny' muzzles on the market that give a dog a big grin or a threatening-looking muzzle. Stay away from these; preserve the dignity of your four-legged friend and avoid frightening effects on other dogs and people (especially children). In addition, your dog's well-being may be at risk, e.g. due to insufficient breathing space, and bite prevention is most likely not possible.
As with any type of dog training we recommend, positive association is very important, and this also applies to muzzle training. Here are a few tips on how to proceed:
Training should be always positive
Gradual positive training is particularly important when familiarising your dog with the muzzle. This involves slowly introducing your dog to the muzzle using treats, praise and stroking – depending on your dog's preference. Place the treats in the muzzle; your dog can now put its snout in and take the treats out. If your dog is not afraid to put its snout in the muzzle and stay there for a short time, you can gradually increase the time frame that your dog remains active with its snout in the muzzle. It’s important that you actively remove the muzzle so that your dog does not learn to pull its head out on its own.
Do not actively move towards your dog or put the muzzle on its snout – it should always slip in voluntarily and happily! You can then gradually start to carefully close the muzzle, take it off again and continue to diligently praise and reward your four-legged friend. Keep extending the time with the muzzle closed until your dog can walk around without any problems.
If this works very well at home, you can also start going out or doing fun, muzzle-suitable activities outside. Always remember to take the muzzle off in good time – during training or later in everyday life - before it disturbs your dog, and he learns how to take it off himself.
Ideally, you should start a slow, gradual and positive, reward-based familiarisation with the muzzle when your dog is young to ensure a lasting, positive association.
If you have any questions about the practical implementation of the positive muzzle training described above or, for example, specific problems with your dog, such as (excessive) aggressive behaviour or similar, please contact a competent, qualified dog trainer immediately in order to 'defuse', improve and resolve the situation as quickly as possible through individual, targeted management and sustainable training!
Dealing with prejudices
People often react differently to a dog wearing a muzzle and you may sometimes encounter prejudice as a result. This is something you need to learn to overcome. Instead, focus on the benefits of the muzzle for your four-legged friend. If you have chosen a muzzle that fits properly and have taken the time and made the effort to slowly get your dog used to wearing a muzzle, then you can be sure that you are acting responsibly as a dog owner, no matter what others may say.
The muzzle does not grow with your dog
Regardless of whether the muzzle is intended for an adult or a young dog, it is important that it fits perfectly and does not affect your dog's quality of life. Check regularly that your dog is still comfortable, that the muzzle still fits properly and that the materials are not showing signs of wear (e.g. becoming brittle). And remember: a muzzle does not grow with your dog. If you bought it when your dog was still young and the animal is still growing or has grown since then, the muzzle must be replaced with a larger model; at the latest when the animal reaches (or has reached) adulthood.