09/03/2020
*** Muzzles are amazing ***
There are so many reasons to use a muzzle!
* Might bite
* Eats unsafe food on walks (scavenging)
* As an alternative to Elizabethan/medical cones
* As a precaution during intros to dogs/people
* To manage mouthiness during training
* To silently ask people to give you space
* To prepare for emergency situations requiring muzzling
* As a precaution at the vet
* As a complement to a crate/gate and rotate situation
* Peace of mind if approached by off leash dogs or kids
I've learned more about them in the last couple of weeks than I had in the last 3 years after I started seeing multiple scenarios where my personal dogs would benefit from a muzzle. I'd like to share what I've learned with you.
Muzzle Up, Pup! - The Pro-Muzzle Community is good for getting advice on conditioning but NOT on sizing. Affiliated with The Muzzle Up Project.
The Muzzle Up Project check out their website for conditioning and training plans. To get the full benefit of a muzzle (peace of mind, happy dog), you must condition your dog to love the muzzle.
Muzzle Training and Tips is the go-to for sizing. They have strict rules (read them!) but they are amazing and I'd only trust them if you wanna get it right the first time.
Muzzled Misfits posts photos and testimonials from people whose dogs have a much better and more fulfilling life thanks to Muzzles.
Measuring is the most important part of muzzle fitting! You must measure your dog's widest natural pant or mimic it by having them hold an appropriately sized ball or measuring with the ball under their jaw. The length, width, and open height of the dogs mouth are the most important but there are others that can affect fit. The admins of the Muzzle Training and Tips group can help you determine.
Baskervilles (~$20) are great for conditioning a dog to wearing a muzzle because they're affordable and available at big box stores or Amazon/Chewy. These will not work with determined biters. For scavengers, you may be able to cover the front. On many dogs, they will be too long on the length and too short on the height, making it harder to feed through and harder to pant. I've attached an accurate size chart as well as a photo showing two sizes of Baskerville on the same dog, neither fit very well but the size 6 on the bottom is better than the size 5 on top. *Baskerville are great starter muzzles but otherwise I don't recommend them unless they're your only choice.
Jafcos (~$45) or custom TYDM vinyl muzzles (~$45-$90) are awesome, imo. They're bite proof and they don't hurt if your dog slams their head into you. Jafcos are cheaper than custom and available quickly but their sizing is limited. They will not fit blocky heads without modifying. Modifying is possible since you can trim the vinyl however, if you can handle the cost and wait time, a custom vinyl muzzle will be your best bet. I've attached the accurate size chart for jafcos and a picture of a custom vinyl muzzle along with two dogs wearing Jafcos. Jafco without the treat hole is great for scavengers. With the treat hole, it's easy to feed through, without the treat hole, you need to drop the treats into the muzzle from the top or use a nozzle.
Freedom M9/M10 Muzzles (~$40-$60) are also a favorite. These are bite proof. They have the best airflow and the largest range of sizes, however, sizing is very confusing. Use the Muzzle Training and Tips group. The M9 and M10 are the same muzzle but the M10 has a rubber coating. These are easy to feed through as long as the length is correct. There are good and bad places to purchase from. Leerburg is the best choice. Make sure that you size it yourself and DO NOT submit measurements to the company. If you do, they will send one that is too small. Ignore any emails or calls from the company about sizing and they'll send the one you requested. Freedoms are good for scavengers only if you add a layer to the wire, people will zip tie mesh or add duct tape.
Biothane muzzles are so pretty ($35-$120). They're also very soft if the dog bumps into you. This makes them less useful for bite risks, however, they will still help for snappers or nippers. I've attached photos. They will work for scavengers if you get a fully strapped version. The attached photos are NOT of fully strapped biothanes. You have to request it. There's 4 different companies making them (and bumas but they're so friggin expensive that it's not worth it). You can request modifications to make it easier to treat.
Khaos Kollars.These have a more secure strapping than the others.
TYDM (Trust your dog muzzles)
CYOM dog gear on Instagram - these are cheaper than the rest and the same quality but limited availability since the creator does it as a side hobby.
Truffle Muzzles - coming from Spain. These are cheaper than the rest if purchasing for a large dog.
Greyhound or Birdwell muzzles (~$20-$40). These are best for long snouted dogs. They are more bite proof than a biothane/Baskerville
***Shared with permission by author Hannah Schewe***
