Should i muzzle my dog uk

Our dog needs socializing as well. But this socializing should be harmless. And with this intention a dog should be muzzled. It will prevent you from many troubles and will save not only the surroundings, but also your pet from chewing strange things, garbage or even poison. Nowadays a dog muzzle is not only the means for dog aggression, but also a safety tool for a dog itself in many daily cases: Dog Muzzles Reviews at Dog Forums.

There is a great choice of muzzles for any breed: wire basket muzzles , lightweight leather dog muzzles , special agitation police dog muzzles K9. You just need to choose the right one fit for your dog and its function. There are no laws in the UK that forbid to walk with a dog unmuzzled, but there still is limitation. Literally: "Persons from having in their possession or custody dogs belonging to types bred for fighting; to impose restrictions in respect of such dogs pending the coming into force of the prohibition; to enable restrictions to be imposed in relation to other types of dog which present a serious danger to the public; to make further provision for securing that dogs are kept under proper control; and for connected purposes.

Some dogs absolutely hate having their nails trimmed. Your groomer will thank you for bringing them a dog who will happily wear a muzzle while they groom your dog so they can keep all their fingers and toes.

If you have a dog who has shown any aggression towards people or dogs, now is the time to start conditioning the muzzle. Prevent a bite before it happens. A dog with a bite record is a serious thing and can spell disaster not only for you from a liability standpoint but also for your dog as they can be declared a dangerous dog which can have deadly consequences.

Work with an experienced trainer to come up with a training plan in addition to your muzzle conditioning. Using a muzzle can allow you to work on behavior modification with your dog. Whether the issue is human or dog aggression or fearful behavior, your first priority should be the safety of everyone involved. If your dog already has a bite history, whether with people or dogs, your first step should be muzzle conditioning your dog. Seek help from an experienced trainer to come up with a behavior modification and training plan.

Muzzling your dog should not be used in place of training. A muzzle will only prevent your dog being able to bite; but a dog wearing a muzzle can still cause injury. Additionally, if your dog is small and will be travelling in a carrier, it will not require a muzzle.

I came across one city where it seemed to imply dogs in a carrier bag needed a muzzle too, but I think it was just a bad translation! The following countries stipulate that larger dogs on public transport require a muzzle:. They are required more often than not.

Check the signs at the door or inside the carriage for a symbol of a dog wearing a muzzle. Or just make sure you carry one in case.

Additionally, muzzles may occasionally be required outside of public transport. However, not every European country requires dogs on public transport to wear a muzzle. Looking at the rules for trains in these countries, there is no mention of a muzzle most of the time or it is not mandatory:. Always double check the latest rules, as these kinds of rules can change. For this reason, I always recommend carrying a muzzle with you, just in case.

If your dog breed is classified as a dangerous breed by the country or region that you are visiting, there may be more onerous obligations for wearing a muzzle. Your dog may be required to wear a muzzle on public transport even if other dogs are not required. Plus often these dog breeds are obligated to always wear a muzzle in public.

This applies in many countries including France and Spain. Examples of breeds of dogs that may be classified as dangerous include American Bull Terrier, Mastiffs and Rottweilers.

Some breeds may also be restricted from entry to the country, so always investigate if these rules could apply to your dog.

Read more about travelling with a dog breed classified as dangerous. The level of enforcement of muzzle rules varies from country to country. There are some countries or cities where the rules are rarely enforced such as Italy.

The plastic muzzle is easy to keep clean. It is important that the muzzle fits properly, so that it is not too tight but also not too loose, causing it to move.

For short-snouted dogs such as Pugs, English and French Bulldog , it is very difficult to find a muzzle that fits properly. Given the dog's anatomy, the muzzles will not stay in place, and because the bridge of the nose is very short, the muzzles can obstruct the eyes. Veterinarians sometimes use a linen strap. This strap is placed around the nose with a button on the bridge of the nose and then crossed under the mouth, and it can then be tied behind the ears.

This is only suitable for short-term use. That is why it is important to introduce the muzzle gradually and teach your dog to wear it using positive association. Let your dog get acquainted with the muzzle first by showing it to him. Make sure you have plenty of treats or biscuits to hand. When your dog comes to sniff the muzzle, reward it with your voice or a treat. Then you wait until your dog puts part of its nose in the muzzle to reward it. The next step is to ensure that the dog puts its nose fully into the muzzle before it gets the reward.

This can be done by putting the treat in the muzzle or by offering the treat through one of the openings at the front of the muzzle.

When the dog puts its nose in the muzzle without hesitation, you can start trying to keep the muzzle around the nose for a number of seconds before giving the reward. You can keep putting it on a little longer. Once the dog tolerates that well, you can place the straps behind the ears and hold it for a few seconds this way. This allows the dog to get used to the feeling of the muzzle being attached. If the dog is good, reward it again with your voice and a treat. The next step is to attach the strap for a little while, reward the dog if it stays calm and then taking it off straight away.