Dog supplies: Muzzles

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A muzzle can be a dog's best friend. The easy misconception is that only dogs who bite wear muzzles. While preventing bites is one appropriate use for them, there are plenty of other reasons to put a little safety barrier between her teeth and the outside world.

Why use a muzzle

• A muzzle prevents an aggressive dog from biting.
• It prevents an injured dog, such as one just hit by a car, from biting because she's in pain (the caveat being that you have to get the muzzle on while she is in pain).
• Unlike an Elizabethan collar (or e-collar, a plastic cone that fits over the dog's neck and head), a muzzle will stop a dog from chewing, licking, or otherwise irritating her allergic skin or a healing wound. She also won't slam into doorways the way she would with an e-collar, and she can sleep more comfortably with a muzzle than an e-collar.
• Dogs who suffer from separation anxiety are prone to destructive chewing and ingestion of inedible materials. A muzzle can prevent this--although it cannot prevent scratching at the door. You can feel calmer while you're out knowing your sofa is safe from teeth (though not from drool).
• If your brand-new adult dog or foster dog hasn't been exposed to the dog park before and you have no clue how she's going to react, a muzzle can make the difference between trauma and calm.
• If your dog doesn't like kids but you have to babysit a two-year-old, a muzzle will protect the child and your peace of mind (although preferably child and dog would be separated at all times in any case).
• Bringing a new dog home to join the pack can be stressful. Muzzles can be used until everyone learns to play nice.
• If a dog dislikes strangers at first and needs just a little time to adjust to them, a muzzle can provide a level of calm for nervous visitors.
• A muzzle will stop your dog from eating weird stuff she finds on the ground during walks.