As soon as you mention the word muzzle to a dog owner, the first thing that comes to mind is an aggressive dog. In reality, the most important reason that you should have a muzzle for every dog you own is in case of injury. I don’t care how much your dog loves you, if they suffer something like an orthopedic injury, they will bite you to keep you away from it. It’s not like a person getting injured. You cannot call 911 for your dog and in minutes have an ambulance show up to take over care for you. Murphy’s Law says you will be alone and if you’re not, everyone will be freaking out. There is a good chance the dog will be screaming in pain and not wanting anyone to touch them. The longer it takes you to control their mouth, the longer it will take to triage, stabilize, and transport them. Even if they are OK with the Vet on a good day, they will likely have to be muzzled to be seen. There are basically three types of muzzles-
Soft– these muzzles are usually what I call “grooming muzzles”. These are most often used for dogs that are not expected to bite to ensure that they don’t when put in uncomfortable positions such as being groomed, nail cutting, and some Veterinary procedures. They are inexpensive and usually come in a set ranging from XXS-XL or 1-5. They are made out of nylon with a small one small fastex buckle to hold them on. If the dog can get their paws to their head, they are easily removed. The one thing they have going for them, besides being inexpensive, is that they fold nice and flat. This lends them to being carried on your person or in your bag while enjoying outdoor activities. They are quick to get on and can be reinforced with a bandana that can also be used to make an expedient muzzle for some dogs.
Hard muzzle– the most common are the Baskerville type which is basically a reinforced rubber cage that can be attached to the collar and has several adjustment points. These offer the best protection against getting bit. This is what I use when working with aggressive dogs. They take more time to put on therefore even if the dog has their paws, take more time to get off. Fit is very important with this type of muzzle and the dog should be measured for the right fit. I use these for any dog over 30 lbs if I believe there is a likelihood of a bite. That is under normal, not emergency circumstances. Whenever possible, these should be used, but like I said, they do not pack well.
Bulldog muzzle– not just for Bulldogs but other smush faced breeds without a pronounced snout. The might make your dog look like a Mexican wrestler but they work well and fold flat. This is the only option I have found for bull breeds.
Whenever you are selecting a tool to solve a problem use SCDU.
Selection– When possible, you should have both a soft and hard muzzle for each dog, already adjusted to properly fit them so that you don’t have to waste time adjusting them during an emergency.
Carry– in most cases it is just not practical to carry a hard muzzle on your person. However, having one in your vehicle is a good idea. You definitely want one at home and or anywhere else the dog spends a lot of time. I find it easiest to put them with my first aid stuff. You can fold the soft muzzles and just use a carabiner to clip the hard one to whatever bag you use for first aid.
Deployment– like I said, you are going to want to keep muzzles handy. The faster you can put your hands on them, the faster you can put them on, and the faster you can render first aid and transport.
Use– take the time to check out whatever muzzle you have. Learn to put it on the dog. Most people instinctively try to put it on from the front. That never seems to work well. When possible, slip it on from the back. You will quickly see why you will want to have it preadjusted to fit your specific dog.
When a dog is shrieking in pain, it is like working with a pediatric patient. People who usually don’t freak out will. Also, as with peds patients, that will freak the dog out even more. You may risk getting bit to help your dog, but others probably won’t. That is why it is up to you to get the muzzle on as soon as possible. At that point, it will be easier to get even strangers to assist you if you need it.
Gloves-Gloves-Gloves
I am obsessive about protecting my hands and you should be too. You only get one set, and they are hard to repair if injured. Here are the four types of gloves I carry and use every day.
Nitrile gloves– there is no good reason not to have at least two pairs of these rolled up in your pocket at all times. Why two pairs? Because one is none and two is one. If it is important to carry something, you should have a back-up to that thing. I usually put on both pairs, but if you don’t have any and I like you I might share the other set with you. You would be surprised how many people will help you by touching wet stuff if you tell them what to do and give them gloves to protect them. I would not bother wearing these with my dogs but would glove up with someone else’s.
Mechanix gloves– I have been using these for decades for all kinds of things from motorcycle riding to shooting to outdoor work. A pair always hangs on my bag and there are sets in each vehicle, the garage, and in the house. They will provide very minimal protection from a bite. But they would be better than nothing. If I had the time, I would definitely put them on before attempting to muzzle an injured animal. They have good tactile sensation and manipulation if you have to adjust a muzzle or anything else. Even as a police officer, I found that “gloving up” gave me a chance to take a breath and clear my head to avoid doing something stupid.
Welders Gloves– these are the thick insulated gloves used by welders. They work great when dealing with dogs because of their thickness. They will usually protect against puncture, but not pressure. The have just a little more dexterity than mittens. You will not be able to put a muzzle on while wearing them in the best situation, but they are helpful for someone attempting to stabilize the dog’s neck for a muzzle to be put on as pictured below. Since I handle dogs for a living, I upgraded and use these animal handling gloves. They offer more padding and upper arm protection.
Having the knowledge, a plan, and the training of how and when to put a muzzle on a dog may save their life someday. Keep in mind that with the soft and hard muzzles the dog can still “punch” you with their muzzle. From experience I can tell you that this often allows them to “pinch” you with their teeth. Also, keep in mind that muzzles come off, have a plan B.