Nylon Dog Muzzle Small

I have two little Chihuahas.grooming is minimal but any attempts to do their nails met with a major ruckus. In order to prevent law suits, amputations and really angry groomers whenever I brought them in to be groomed I asked for a muzzle. Oddly enough, many of these shops didn't have any muzzles-in their size. At one place, the groomer area in Petsmart had no muzzle! I had to go into the store area and purchase one.  These guys have  the Chihuahua Doe face so they have a longer nose/muzzle. One has a particularly lean little face. He is the meaner of the two. Max, we call him Mad Max. This muzzle was the most comfortable one for him I could find.



What I finally decided to do was to bring along my own muzzle, one that I knew would fit.  A problem when the groomers did provide a muzzle was that often it was a rather stiff material and would cut into the bridge of the dog's nose if it was tightened appropriately.  This muzzle, a colorful little thing, blue and green and is made of nylon so there is no discomfort when it's applied. Being nylon it is also washable and machine dryable. It runs about $10.00 and is adjustable. The stitching is nice and strong holding the straps to the nose/muzzle  area. This muzzle has an adjustable strap with a clip closure for easy on and off. I definately prefer this to a buckle clsoing. I also like the velcro closing muzzle when I can find one.

 I use the muzzle only for their grooming but if you have an aggressive dog I would strongly suggest a muzzle when walking. I do not suggest these as training tools only as a preventative tool. It is also important to have a muzzle in your dog first aid kit. If a dog is injured, no matter how friendly he or she may be, he could bite when in pain. You can apply a muzzle while treating him or waiting for treatment to prevent this. If you have a very aggressive dog or one that is mandated by law to be muzzed (Rottie, Pit Bull) a muzzle is necessary. It may also be a good idea for first visits to a dog park.


 For issues like barking there are other methods you can use, I don't like  muzzle be used to prevent barking but some trainers advocate this method.. As a restraint these are necessary at times. Never leave a muzzle on for long periods of time. If a dog is drooling or his nose is running remove the muzzle. These are signs of discomfort. The muzzle needs to fit well enough to allow good air flow. Some muzzles alow the dog to drink. Do not not leave a muzzled dog unattended. Do not make muzzling a punishment. Do the application of the muzzle in a pleasant manner, kindly and with a reward if necessary. Sometimes just your approval is enough, other times a treat is a good reward. You want your dog to trust you and you do not want your dog to associate being muzzled with  a something negative.

there are leather, fabric, wire cage and plastic muzzles. If you watch Greyhound racing (booo) you'll see cage muzzles. 
In Europe there are cities where certain breeds of dogs (Pit bulls, Rotts etc) are required by law to wear a muzzle when they go out in public.

A dog muzzle is a device which is designed to prevent a dog from opening its mouth. Dog muzzles are used in training or to retrain or restrain aggressive dogs. When used properly, a dog muzzle is a very useful tool to teach your dog  socially acceptable behavior. Many dog supply stores sell dog muzzles along with other tools for training, and a veterinarian or dog trainer can teach you how to use a dog muzzle responsibly. If you watch Cesar Milan, The Dog Whisperer , he will use a muzzle once in awhile.

There are a number of different styles of dog muzzle, ranging from simple nylon straps which slip around a dog's nose to basket muzzles, which are made from wire, plastic or leather. If you've seen Greyhound races (boo) the Greyhounds wear muzzles when racing. Many muzzles are padded for the comfort of the dog, and some are designed to allow a dog to eat or drink while wearing the muzzle. In all cases, the design of a muzzle should not restrict a dog's ability to breathe freely.

The police will use  leather muzzles when training attack dogs.

Muzzles can be useful for trips to the vet or social situations in which your dog may meet new people or new dogs. Some people use them to stop dogs from licking at surgical sites or eating food off the ground. 
Did you know 4.7 million people in the United Stated are bitten by dogs on an annual basis, and  many require mediacl attention. If you own an aggressive dog and want to avoid a law suit consider a muzzle and a dog you are able to control..