reactions to muzzles on dogs

[Beckysmom]

In another thread on muzzles posters mentioned both the reaction of people being alarmed by muzzled dogs and backing off from them, and OTOH, people being more willing to interact with muzzled dogs. I am wondering what the general consensus is.

What I would really most like for my dog is to have people just walk past us normally, neither "Oooh how cute!" and jump into his face, nor "Yikes!" and jump back. (He is cute from the front and a little yikes looking from the side.) Wondering if a muzzle might help this. Or make it worse on both sides of the equation. Any thoughts?

[Carol Burke]

My normal reaction to a muzzled dog is to assume the dog is nasty and stay away from it. I know this is not neccessarily true, but it is my gut reaction.

[moondog]

That would be my reaction, too. If a dog is muzzled, it's logical to assume it's muzzled for a reason.

[Brooke&Ryan]

That woudl be my reaction also. That the dog was nasty/mean & I needed to keep my distance.

I actually had to explain to my mom the other day when we were out & about that a Gentle Leader is not a muzzle. To some people it does look like one. So confusion can be EVERYWHERE! Even with head halters that aren't muzzles.

Brooke

[Storm]

A muzzle used for the correct reason is being responsible, but when present it very much depicts a picture of caution. If the dog has no problem then why use it? I move through crowds as quick as possible, just minding my own bussiness, sorry no time to stop and chat..................... but sure when amongst people one must expect the unexpected and your dog should be only exposed to as much as it can handle. The other day I was walking my dog along the beach when this little boy came out of no where, threw his arms around my dog and gave him a big hug. Well lucky for him the dog did not mind but in another case he could have really got hurt, we just have to think not only for ourselves and our dogs but also for the hundreds of other people out there that we come into contact with.

[BostonRott]

I agree, if I see a true muzzle (not a head-halter), I assume the dog has issues/problems.

[spidey]

I agree with Gretchen, moondog and others - if I see a muzzle I assume it's there for a reason, and I am less likely to want to approach that dog. I also assume that the owner is being responsible because they know their dog may snap or bite, and/or has been ordered to muzzle the dog and is complying with that order (or, in some cases, that the owner is trying to make the dog seem vicious, and themselves seem more macho). Either way, I see no reason to muzzle a dog who doesn't need it - I see no benefit to this at all.

[LavenderRott]

Sometimes I just hate to agree with everyone but I have to admit, I do in this case.

I can't remember the last time I saw a dog with a muzzle on. And if I saw one tomorrow, I would also assume the dog had issues. Muzzles are not very common around here.

However, I think that once people get used to all dogs or a majority of working dogs wearing muzzles, they will assume that all of these dogs are just obeying the law. Then it will be harder to tell which of the dogs are well behaved and which are the ones we should avoid.

It will be interesting to see if people are injured by muzzled dogs because they assumed that the dog was just obeying the law, only to find that the dog has issues.

Do you know what I mean?

[Beckysmom]

Wow! Looks like variations on 100% universal agreement, a rarity on rottie net!

I guess that it is true for me too that if I see a muzzle I assume some sort of problem. At the same time, if I see a secure looking basket muzzle on a dog I feel comfortable walking past near the dog, even though I am assuming it to have a problem of some sort.

Storm: the scenario you give does give me something to think about. I wish I had cautioned even more people who acted that way with my last dog, that while that was very safe with her, that it is best to always stop and ask the owner if it is okay to pet, hug, etc. dogs one does not know. My (rescue) dog is currently in what I would call remedial socialization, precisely being exposed to only as much as he can handle. And yes, my biggest concern does come from something unexpected arising from the outside world. Esp in a situation like what you describe, if it were an adult rather than a child that did that (he loves children)... like the example from Mary Bouchard on the muzzles legally required in Italy thread of an adult person suddenly leaning into car window and hugging her dog.

LavenderRott: I know what you mean about what might happen from false sense of security if all dogs of a class were muzzled. But if the muzzles are sturdy enough, fit properly and are of the basket type, there should not be bites possible. ???? Is the idea here that the muzzles on dogs with issues are mostly precisely to warn people away rather than to actually stop a bite?

re Gentle Leader--that may cause a similar sort of problem in that while there are the "No, It's NOT a Muzzle" pins etc., it is nonetheless described in use info. that it can be used (by pulling up on it) to act like a muzzle and stop a bite. I kind of doubt that would work on a very strong dog that wanted to bite, and it might mean there are GL wearing dogs who do in fact have problems, whose owners have a false sense of security,and where the public is coming more and more to accept that a head halter does not signal a problem of any sort.

[Mary Bouchard]

We do muzzle our rescue female because she has issues and yet everyone approaches her and ask to pet and play with her.

And it constantly amazes me how often the people here just ignore the muzzle.

[Beckysmom]

Originally posted by Mary Bouchard
We do muzzle our rescue female because she has issues and yet everyone approaches her and ask to pet and play with her.

And it constantly amazes me how often the people here just ignore the muzzle.

What exact type of muzzle is it that seems to not intimidate people? Even what color? as I would think that might have an effect.

[Judi W]

I have had class dogs that wore muzzles (with a reason) until they were deemed to be under control and self control not to need them. I assume the same about any dog I see muzzled - there must be a reason for it. If the dog is in training situation, it is obvious what we are working on and that the dog and owner are doing such. As far as seeing a dog in public that is muzzled, my assumption would be the same. It is on for a reason and as a non-involved person I have no inclination to interact with that dog. The sight of a muzzle is off-putting as far as casual interaction is concerned and it should be. It is a clear message that the owner has every reason to believe the dog might use its teeth on something or someone and I see no reason why it should be me. I also respect the person who has enough respect for others' safety to use one.

I was quite amazed at an earlier post that said because one dog was unreliable and perhaps dangerous the other dog had to wear a muzzle also. By that logic, I guess if we put muzzles on all the dogs, then there would be no discrimination but somehow I can't see that as a good thing.

So, summary. Yes a muzzle usually does and should be an indicator of a dog that the owner is not quite sure is reliable as far as biting is concerned. Does one approach such a dog differently than one that is happy to meet all? Of course they do or they certainly should.

[SABELLESMOM]

Pretty much in keeping with the majority of thoughts, here. When I see a muzzled dog, I assume the muzzle is there for a reason. It also means he's under control in the sense that he is unable to bite.

In fact I believe I'd go so far as to say I have zero inclination to visit, ask about the dog or anything. Which is a large part of what bothers me by the national muzzle law in, was it Italy? It essentially assumes that all dogs over the size of a beagle are mean, untrained, and dangerous. What a negative and unfair impact this must have on the general public. :( It must make the owners of such dogs feel like leppers and it makes me sad.

I would rather see programs and classes in training your dog that would prevent a dog from ever getting to the point of needing a muzzle, of course. Maybe even if they had a test, like our CGC or TT or even a combined test, that a dog could pass in order to be muzzle free? <sigh> Dreaming I suppose...