Dogs can learn to enjoy muzzles
We have a newly adopted rescue dog. We don’t really know her history. At her veterinary checkup, they insisted on muzzling her. It did not go well. She fought the muzzle and it seemed to make her more anxious. Should we insist that they treat her without a muzzle next time?
Muzzles often get a bad rap. They can look a little too Hannibal Lecter, creating the impression that bad dogs need them and good dogs do not. Nothing could be further from the truth. Muzzles are often a safety precaution and the sign of a caring and responsible family.
Industry professionals often risk being bitten. Dog bites, whether from small or large dogs, can do significant damage. Punctures that may not look all that bad can cause significant pain. The risk of infection also exists. Bites can prevent veterinarians and other professionals from working to full capacity. It’s important that they be able to handle animals safely.
There are times, when from an abundance of precaution, a muzzle is indicated. Families need to respect a professional’s right to protect themselves. Which means that the short answer is that a veterinarian, or any other professional, has the right to insist on one if they feel it’s warranted.
However, dogs can’t be expected to tolerate a muzzle without training. The issue is not whether a veterinarian insisted on a muzzle. Rather, it is that a dog was muzzled without being trained to like one.
Sometimes, this might be necessary because a medical situation dictates an immediate need. A little training can prevent another anxiety ridden muzzle experience. Dogs that are trained to enjoy wearing muzzles will voluntarily thrust their nose into the basket. They are taught to enjoy wearing it.
Veterinary exams are stressful enough for most dogs. Pets don’t need any additional reasons for hating a trip to the vet. Anything that reduces fear and anxiety is going to make health exams easier and more thorough.
Muzzles should not come with a stig- ma. Good dogs wear them. In fact, all dogs may potentially benefit from an introduction to them. One never knows when pain, sickness or some other traumatic event will cause the nicest dog to lash out. Having the ability to muzzle these great dogs, without unnecessary stress, when they are in need of medical care, shows foresight and responsibility. That’s nothing to vilify.
I like having my dog on the sofa, next to me, in the evenings. I watch television and he chews a bone. However, I do not like having him there when someone comes over to the house. Can I teach my dog to behave differently when people come over?
The short answer is that yes, it is possible to teach a dog to only come up onto furniture if asked. Dogs can learn to abstain from going onto furniture at other times. Families can simply fail to invite the dog up onto the sofa when guests are present. This is called stimulus control.
People generally run into two issues. Families need to do more training. Teaching a dog to lie on the sofa is easy. Extra work is required if families expect a dog to refuse to get on the sofa unless invited.
The second issue is consistency. Rules, habits and routines have to be followed religiously. Failing to be consistent creates rules that the dog cannot work out and thus cannot follow.
The question is rarely if a dog can learn something. The question is whether the human wants to put in the work to achieve it.