muzzles

[StephanieandToby]

I am a professional dog-walker and also do some training...Often the dogs I walk are large working breeds and occasionally have issues of chasing and slashing (GSD's) or aggression (terriers)...(never had a problem with a Rotti!!) Over the last year I have started to muzzle larger dogs or ones that have caused injury in the past....Even though we do some training everyday..these are not my own dogs and I can only do so much in the time I have them...Is there anyone out there who has any issues with muzzling a dog once in awhile, considering my situation?? I would be interested in hearing the pros and cons of muzzling for safety...(especially since I often recommend it to people) Thanks for any input!!!

[SonnyRott]

What have the owners had to say about it?

[spidey]

I also wonder what the owner have to say. And also what kind of muzzles you use. There is a huge difference between a basket-style muzzle and a nylon "groomer's" muzzle.

[poohbearsmom]

How many dogs do you walk at one time? Do you walk multiple owner's dogs in unison?

[Judi W]

I don't see where there should be any question. If you have a dog that shows it will or might do an injury, it should be muzzled or the owners should make other arrangements. It would be irresponsible of you to agree to take such a dog unmuzzled and if not legally, ethically you are responsible. I would not use a dog walker that put my dog in a position of being injured just because they were too timid to muzzle one of their charges.

[StephanieandToby]

I only muzzle dogs with the owner's permission and I only discipline dogs with the owner's permission. I find that most owners are grateful for any traiing the dogs receive on my walks and some have even suggested the muzzle themselves.(as if they know something...hmmmm)The dogs are all walked off-leash in open , dog-friendly areas. I usually walk medium-sized groups of 5 to 7 dogs at a time with multiple owners. For the time being I am using nylon adjustable "Velcro" muzzles for the small dogs , plus I have one nylon muzzle for a GSD that she is used to....but I am a big believer in the basket muzzles so the dogs can run and pant... it has been my experience that wearing a muzzle knocks a dogs esteem down "a peg or two" and after several months we have had some success with removing the muzzle and the dog still behaves. (crossing my fingers!)Am I doing the right thing?? I need to think of the safety of the group as well as any strange dogs we might encounter...i have been extremely fortunate that in almost 10 years there has been no serious injury...(15-20 dogs/day...365 days/year!!)I seem to have good control over my group and the dogs listen well....but there are still times when instinct seems to kick in with those little doggies!!!!

[Rottlva]

Stephanie,

How rural is your area? I would see no problem with it, provided: the owner has consented, an appropriate muzzle is being used, and it fits correctly.

I also hope that you are not walking many dogs with the muzzled dogs??

I appreciate your desire to keep the public safe. I too have a pet sitting business (please look at my profile to see the website). One thing we are very careful of is not letting any person visit/pet our clients animals....friendly or not, I would Never want to have anything happen, so we totally prevent against it.

Good luck in your endeavors.

[moondog]

If a dog has a propensity to use its teeth on others, I'd sure prefer to encounter the dog with a muzzle on! BUT...if you are letting these dogs run and play, you need to make sure you are not using a muzzle that will restrict breathing and panting. The nylon muzzles I've seen keep the dog's mouth closed - is that the kind you're using? If so, you should invest in some basket muzzles, or request that the owners provide them for you.

[StephanieandToby]

Originally Posted by Rottlva

Stephanie,

How rural is your area? I would see no problem with it, provided: the owner has consented, an appropriate muzzle is being used, and it fits correctly.

I also hope that you are not walking many dogs with the muzzled dogs??

I appreciate your desire to keep the public safe. I too have a pet sitting business (please look at my profile to see the website). One thing we are very careful of is not letting any person visit/pet our clients animals....friendly or not, I would Never want to have anything happen, so we totally prevent against it.

Good luck in your endeavors.

Thanks for the input!! I also try keep people away from the dogs....if they ask if they can pet one I say, "Just the Rottweiler." (he's mine...)I also walk the dogs in out-of-the-way places....dog-friendly....and everybody knows us in the area....the dogs I walk never fight amongst themselves....it's only when we encounter certain dogs and they are chasing, or some idiot decides to feed them without my permission....that sort of thing. When the dogs are walked "on-leash" there are no muzzles whatsoever and everything is great...usually because I have more control and can quickly change direction if I have to....when we are left alone on our walks it is BLISS. (I'm sure you know what I mean...)

[Rottlva]

Yes, what moondog said. I would be concerned however that muzzling a dog in an environment like a dog park would leave them on the defense....If they are already having issues (with other dogs?) then yes, you may have knocked them down a few pegs, but have you knocked them down far enough that they are going to submit to a challenging dog, or will they just be rendered defenseless?

Although I respect your desire to let the dogs romp and play, we do every thing on leash, unless the client has a fenced yard. There is just to much of an insurance issue here in the states for us not to do so. With our insurance policy, there is a 500$ deductible if an incident happens while a dog we are caring for is off leash.. Not a risk I'm willing to take.

[poohbearsmom]

Yikes.......... I'm sure you know what I mean.....

[spidey]

Originally Posted by StephanieandToby

For the time being I am using nylon adjustable "Velcro" muzzles for the small dogs , plus I have one nylon muzzle for a GSD that she is used to....but I am a big believer in the basket muzzles so the dogs can run and pant...

??? So you believe in basket muzzles but don't use them? The muzzles you are using (assuming I know what you're describing, which keep the dog's mouth shut) are unsafe and inhumane for the use you're putting them to, they're designed for extremely short-term use during a medical or grooming procedure, they are not suitable for dogs running free.

[StephanieandToby]

Originally Posted by Rottlva

Yes, what moondog said. I would be concerned however that muzzling a dog in an environment like a dog park would leave them on the defense....If they are already having issues (with other dogs?) then yes, you may have knocked them down a few pegs, but have you knocked them down far enough that they are going to submit to a challenging dog, or will they just be rendered defenseless?

Although I respect your desire to let the dogs romp and play, we do every thing on leash, unless the client has a fenced yard. There is just to much of an insurance issue here in the states for us not to do so. With our insurance policy, there is a 500$ deductible if an incident happens while a dog we are caring for is off leash.. Not a risk I'm willing to take.

Ahhhh, yes...see...this is my dilemma....owners ask for off-leash walks and that is the service I provide....owners here also agree to be responsible for any damage their dog may cause...but I would rather avoid it (obviously)That's also an excellent point about the dogs being "rendered defenseless". So far I haven't had a muzzled dog even TRY anything.(it's as if they know)But there is the possibility that this could happen at any time...i don't want the dog to fight, but I don't want it beat up either....any other suggestions? I'm learning a lot!!

[moondog]

Well, if they need to be muzzled and you can't/won't/don't provide a muzzle that they can breathe and pant properly with, then you don't have a dilemma, or the dilemma you have is misconstrued - because you would be remiss to allow any romping under those circumstances.

The owners have "said" they will assume responsibility for any mishaps - but you'll never really know until one occurs. What people say and what people do can be two very different critters when real life responsibility comes into play. Will you accept responsibility if one of these romping dogs drops dead of a heart attack because it couldn't breathe?

[StephanieandToby]

Originally Posted by spidey

??? So you believe in basket muzzles but don't use them? The muzzles you are using (assuming I know what you're describing, which keep the dog's mouth shut) are unsafe and inhumane for the use you're putting them to, they're designed for extremely short-term use during a medical or grooming procedure, they are not suitable for dogs running free.

Sorry! I didn't make myself clear....I DO use basket muzzles, but I have one GSD that will only tolerate her Nylon muzzle...I use adjustable velcro/nylon muzzles for the small dogs...these allow me to adjust the size so they can pant and drink and even eat a cookie, but not open their little jaws to slash at their victims...the GSD with the nylon muzzle is perfectly content with it on and it has cut her chase/slash mentality to ZERO. Even though the dogs are off-leash, they are not running around all the time...usually they are trotting at my heels...also, being in Canada....it's lovely and cool....ahhhh...our walks are only 45 mins. long...i think I'm going to stand by the muzzle issue...I still think it's better to be safe than sorry and I will keep using them....in case anybody is worried....my clients are all very happy....I have a good reputation....and i try take excellent care of my charges....it's not like I have a thousand tightly-muzzled mad-dogs racing through the woods....we are all very calm....just a few troubles once in awhile which is normal as any dog-walker can attest to...thanks for listening!