Muzzle And Perception

[Guest picopaco]

As a new grey owner, I'm becoming really aware of how other people perceive your dog when it has a muzzle on: vicious, scary, "Hannibal Lector." I only put it on mine occasionally--for example when I took her to get her nails clipped for the first time yesterday. But now I'm thinking on it, and it seems like it doesn't do any good for public perception of the breed. How is a rescued greyhound different enough from any other rescue adult dog from the Humane Society such that those dogs aren't sent home with muzzles nor do they regularly wear them?

[dmdsmoxie]

That is exactly the way people perceive any dog with a muzzle. Some dogs need it at the vets office, but it can be put on before the vet looks at the dog. I think most vets will tell you the dogs that need a muzzle sometimes don't have one as vets have been bitten mose than once.

[locket]

Yes...you have to change the world one person at the time! Yesterday I went with 3 greys to the baseball diamond. All were muzzeled. A woman arrived with her cocker spaniel and stopped at the gate, saw the dogs and turned around. I called to her "Come on in, it's fine, they will all play together!" She was a bit hesitant, but came in anyway. Playbowing and running around ensued I explained it was to protect their paper thin skin, just to be safe. She felt it was responsible, we chatted and let the dogs play and then we all left

 

In any situations,I prefer to be safe than sorry

Edited January 24, 2016 by locket

[Neighsayer]

Greys have such thin skin, that you can be looking at a large vet bill if one nips another in play. Groups send home muzzles for group play, or for close quarters such as several dogs together in a car. Most owners in the US do not use muzzles on their dogs in public.

If you need it for the vet or groomer, you can put it on when needed, rather than walk your dog through a store or waiting room wearing it.

[Batmom]

Who cares what other people think? Do what keeps you and your dog safe and comfortable.

[Guest picopaco]

Who cares what other people think? Do what keeps you and your dog safe and comfortable.

I think it's important to be a good ambassador for greyhounds. Obviously it's better to muzzle that to have her grab someone's small dog; but it's curious that it's standard practice for grey owners and not other breeds.

[JohnF]

That's their problem not yours. Cars would look far less scary without bumpers/fenders wouldn't they? The police less scary with out guns? Cliff-top beauty spots without railings etc. If mine is muzzled I just say it's a tradition because of the thin skin which Greys have which tan tear from a tiny nip.

[Batmom]

My greyhounds are my pets, companions, family members. Do I want others to think well of them and consider whether one would be right for their family? Sure. But not at the expense of keeping my own family safe and comfortable. If I think they're in a situation where a muzzle would be helpful, on it goes. I've had owners of other breeds ask where they can get a muzzle like that (plastic basket) just about as often as I've had people ask why they have them on.

[Guest picopaco]

In what situations do you think a muzzle is a good idea?

[Hubcitypam]

The only times I've ever really used basket muzzles with greyhounds were at all greyhound play dates where dogs that didn't know each other were together, in the house with fosters that were chewers and in the car when transporting multiples.

 

Your muzzle isn't going to protect your greys thin skin if an unmuzzled dog of another breed bites it and the cloth muzzles that vets and groomers have (as mentioned in another thread) are far better at preventing bites in situations in those two places than than a basket muzzle.

 

Greys wear turnout muzzles at the track because there are many excited dogs all going into a relatively small area all at once. I'm not sure how much that really relates to every day life as a pet, especially if one gets the big picture and gets to know their dog.

 

[brindlehound]

I take Joy's muzzle with me to the vet and to get her toenails dremeled although she's never used them there. She also wears it at large greyhound gatherings as she sometimes gets snarky when she becomes overwhelmed in crowds. I know someone whose hound wears her muzzle because she doesn't like dogs getting in her face.

 

Slightly off topic but I've had people try to tell me that the dogs who wear head halters wear them because they bite. I simply correct them and tell them it's because the dog pulls.

[JJNg]

In what situations do you think a muzzle is a good idea?

 

Depends on the dog. I muzzle when off-leash in a larger group, especially if some of the members of the group aren't familiar. When riding loose in the car with other dogs they don't know well (like when I'm transporting fosters). When I'm introducing a new foster to my house. One of my greyhounds isn't comfortable around unknown men or kids, so I muzzle her when I have company over who might make her nervous. My greyhounds are all good with small dogs and cats, so I don't muzzle them in public when they are on leash and under my direct control.

 

the cloth muzzles that vets and groomers have (as mentioned in another thread) are far better at preventing bites in situations in those two places than than a basket muzzle.

 

I'm curious why you feel cloth muzzles are better at preventing bites than basket muzzles? I've had the opposite experience and prefer basket muzzles when possible and the dog is acclimated to one. Dogs can still pinch you with their front teeth with the open-front cloth muzzles that most vets and groomers use. Basket muzzles prevent that, and the dog is more comfortable - can still pant and take treats.

[Batmom]

When it's a good idea: @ same as JJNg, depends on the dog. In a playgroup, always (all dogs muzzled). Usually when I have more than one in the car. Usually when I turn out more than one in my yard. For introductions, when dog visitors come to our home or we go to theirs, or when bringing a new dog home. Once or twice at the vet when we had to do something that an individual dog found threatening. When transporting an injured dog who was in pain ....... Like Jennifer, I don't think I've ever muzzled one in public, on leash, but I could see somebody with a reactive or fearful dog doing that in some situations.

 

I too think the basket muzzles are much better at preventing bites, and for the greyhounds who are used to wearing them, they don't get the dog more worked up as a restrictive cloth muzzle might.

[RedHead]

I muzzle mine when he is running with other greyhounds. I thought it wasn't necessary and then when I saw them all running together I saw why they were needed!! I personally don't need a muzzle in any other situation, but I do find it handy for introducing smaller animals (such as my cats and rabbits).

 

Greyhounds are different from other shelter dogs simply because they have spent their whole lives isolated to a kennel environment. They are essentially working dogs and have been bred and encouraged to chase and run. Most of them don't get a whole lot of socialization to the outside world like other dogs would automatically have. Many have never even had simple experiences such as meeting smaller dogs, cats, or other animals out in public. This, combined with training and instinct to chase moving objects makes it necessary for some people to muzzle as a precaution. For the most part though, I think very few greyhounds need to be muzzled all the time while in public.

[BatterseaBrindl]

Only Muzzled at:

All-Greyhound playgroups. Which is the only kind we particpate in.

We do not go to mixed breed dog parks. Ever.

 

Multiple dogs travelling together in backseat of my car.

Yes. It is a sedan. With a 'hammock'.

And yes. they all fit.

 

Left all alone, uncrated in our mudroom when we both leave for more than 15 minutes. It only takes a split second for one of them to snark and snap becasue - heaven forbid - one tried to lay too close to another.

Nixon is very protective of HIS bed.

 

They are never muzzled for walks or Vet visits or nail buzzing.

Nixon and Nigel are both Certified Therapy Dogs.

[Hubcitypam]

 

I'm curious why you feel cloth muzzles are better at preventing bites than basket muzzles?

Maybe I overspoke about bites but it sure is a heck of a lot nicer to get bonked upside the head by a dog with a cloth muzzle.

[Brandiandwe]

I muzzle by law. But I'm one of the outliers on this board! Really, I don't care what people say. I have people crossing the road to get away from my vicious dogs and, as a woman walking alone, I admit to liking the intimidation factor of a big muzzled brindled dog (or four large dogs all walked by one person). That said, there's been a lot about greys in the media here and it's got people coming up and talking to me. Two of mine don't play well with other breeds and are high prey/ fear aggressive. They are muzzled. Two aren't, and they're not muzzled. After one meeting with my dogs, I tend to have repeat visitors and compliments on how well-behaved my gang are.

 

The best way to be a good ambassador for ghe breed, muzzled or not, is to have well behaved, polite dogs who are under control and not allowed to approach other people or dogs without permission, to clean up after your dogs, to get out of the way of others on the footpath, and to be friendly, well informed and approachable. I'm always up front about why two of my dogs are muzzled, and what some of the issues are, but I also know that really, my dogs' behaviour and their personalities speak for themselves.

[moofie]

I've always muzzled new dogs while out on walks till i've gauged their reactions, something recommended by many UK greyhound rescues. As many greyhounds haven't been socialised with other breeds of dogs it can take time for them to adjust and in England most parks/ open spaces your allowed let your dog off lead if you want to walk there its likely that someone's dog will wander over, run past within reach or pop out unexpectedly. Even on the street can find its too narrow to give enough room, bump into on a blind corner, or meet an idiot with a flexi, some greys have grabbed a cat out of a bush (most pet cats free roam).

 

It can be easy to get distracted & its a lot less stressful knowing your grey can't make a mistake and bite someone's pet (even if its owner maybe at fault) and i think that allows you to not pass on tense signals to your likely already unsure grey. Throp & Hector quickly showed they were fine around dogs, Hattie took about 6 months. Do overhear comments usually its parents explaining what that thing is on the dogs nose lazily "its so it can't bite" & yes people aren't always as likely to want to stroke your dog, which is a little sad but i don't really care as you'll always get those with negative reaction for some other reason too.

 

They aren't the only breed to see in a muzzle although the sighthound community seem more supportive of their use and i think it helps the public perception of muzzles to see them more frequently, to reduce stigma & allows people to ask questions. Often public mistake the head halters as a type of muzzle too. Its not a legal requirement to muzzle ex-racers so i don't think it puts off people interested in adopting as they'll likely see some greys muzzled & many not, its worse when what may appear to be a harmless/ friendly dog get bitten as i did on an organised greyhound walk

Edited January 25, 2016 by moofie

[Banjoman]

I have to keep a muzzle on Chancey when we are out in "forested areas" because my insurance insist on it. When I applied for insurance and they asked if she had attacked another dog or animal I truthfully said I had just got her but as she was a retired racer it was possible she might want to chase & catch another smaller dog or a cat. Wearing a muzzle was a condition of the insurance cover. As it happens she is a bouncing idiot around other dogs and still has her chasing instinct so wherever we are out walking I keep a muzzle on her for her own safety, so that she couldn't get herself into trouble & be put down because she is a "Dangerous dog". I deliberately chose a bright pink muzzle for her so that she does not look too threatening.

[Guest KarenD]

I've also used the muzzle for the fosters in our home that "chew". Always better to be safe. Police thyself.

[Guest Rufus]

Funnily enough, my hound's bright green plaid winter coat has the opposite effect of the muzzle on perception -- it makes nearly everyone smile at him and assume he's sweet (he is, actually). I should try the muzzle and the coat at the same time to see if they cancel each other out. :-)

[jetcitywoman]

Most non-greyhound people have only ever seen the type of muzzle that holds the mouth shut, which is (in my opinion) rather punitive to the dog. I don't take mine out in public with their muzzles all the time, but they do wear them in the car and if someone sees that then I consider it an educational opportunity. I tell everyone (and I have done a few Toastmasters speeches at work on this topic!) that basket muzzles are safety equipment NOT punishment. I tell people to think of them like hockey masks for dogs and it seems to help.

[Guest KarenD]

Funnily enough, my hound's bright green plaid winter coat has the opposite effect of the muzzle on perception -- it makes nearly everyone smile at him and assume he's sweet (he is, actually). I should try the muzzle and the coat at the same time to see if they cancel each other out. :-)

I agree! My Lucy has a bright pink and white floral fleece coat AND a bright pink muzzle. That hound can't possibly be threatening with pink flowers!!! And it doesn't hurt to say "hi" and start a conversation with neighbors.....just so they can get their questions answered and most of them are surprised with the misconceptions out there.

[dante2zoe]

Mine are muzzled in the car, when I am at work and at greyhound playgroup. I read an explanation once that muzzles are like seatbelts - protective and hope they are never truly needed. I use that analogy when people ask and it tends to go over well. Plus, I explain that they can still drink and carry their stuffies around with them on. I also like knowing that they are comfortable with them just in case it is medically necessary that they wear one.

[Guest SpicyMom]

I have to muzzle more for food theft! Especially on Halloween when I will find the dogs with their heads in kids candy bags. I solved the fear issue by decorating the muzzles. Yep, they are "bedazzled". Nice and sparkly beads glued on the outside which make them look rather glamorous. When folks ask about them, I say their tiaras kept falling off so this was the next best thing...