'American Star' German Shepherd Muzzle - Hand-painted Leather Agitation Muzzle

A dog muzzle is essentially a guard that is placed on snouts of dogs to keep them from exhibiting any range of unwanted behaviors, from biting and barking to licking and pulling,  displaying aggression whether motivated by excitement or fear and for training purposes. Dog muzzles are meant to be comfortable for your dog and if you choose the right one, it will be.

They can be made of leather, nylon, plastic and silicon.

This is only possible  if the wrong muzzle is used (it does not allow the dog to pant or breath for example), it does not fit properly, the dog isn't acclimated to wearing the muzzle, or, in some cases, if only a muzzle is used without addressing the underlying issues that require its use in the first place.

Depending on the style of the muzzle, yes, your dog will still be able to eat dry foods and drink water while wearing their muzzle. Generally speaking, grooming muzzles are the most limiting and often inhibit your dog from opening the mouth at all.

Again it all goes down to choosing the appropriate muzzle for your canine. Look for models made of durable dog and human-friendly materials. Also, pay attention that they’re made of the best quality and of the best fit. When a perfect fit isn’t possible, you can add padding (moleskin, foam bandage, etc.) to protect the dog’s fur and skin from itchiness, congestion, and general discomfort.

It can be cruel if not introduced in the right way. You must figure out why your dog doesn’t like wearing a muzzle. Ask yourself certain questions like Is it a size problem, Is the muzzle on correctly? Please make sure that the muzzle doesn’t rub against the dog’s skin. If you are sure you’ve done everything right, be patient and allow your dog to acclimate to this slowly.

It’s unfortunate and unfair that the stigma associated with a dog wearing a muzzle is that the dog must be mean, dangerous and untrained.
The reality, however, is that many dogs do not cope well being around strangers and are not going to show their “best” selves and it is completely OK. A dog wearing a properly fitted muzzle shows that their owner is being responsible and keeping their dog and the public safe.

Muzzles on its own do nothing to change or modify or treat the underlying behavioral issue. Remember that a muzzle is not a replacement for training and socialization. But it can actually be extremely useful in facilitating a behavior modification plan.

It is your job as a dog guardian to keep your dog, other dogs and the people around you safe. Muzzles can help you with that, on several levels. Muzzles are strictly for safety purposes. You should be proud that you’re not only a great dog parent but a good law-abiding citizen. If you still find it hard to get over any feeling of public shame, try to take the attitude that Suzy Arrington, CPDT-KA, offers: “Own it like you would if you were wearing a big hat!” In other words, wear it with confidence!

It is very easy for dogs to overheat. Panting is how dogs regulate their temperature. If something takes away their ability to dissipate heat. It may be putting their health and maybe even their lives at risk. A great muzzle should allow your canine to pant freely to avoid the risk of overheating.

We strongly advise that a muzzle should not be left unsupervised. In the first place it is not recommended to leave a muzzle on for lengthy period of time as this may cause discomfort and stress to your dog. If you see no other choice, please consult a local trainer or vet.

Allowing your dog to be ‘dangerously out of control’ in public places is against the law in the USA. In many countries owners can be prosecuted if their dog attacks someone in which means injuring someone or making someone fear they may be injured. This applies to any breed or type of dog. Owners (or the person in charge of the dog at the time) who allow their pets to hurt a person may face prison sentences, an unlimited fine, disqualification from owning pets and having their dog destroyed or even death sentence. In cases where no injury is caused, owners can still go to prison for six months, be fined a lot of money. We highly recommend incorporating muzzles with positive reinforcement training for your dogs to make sure they are well-behaved members of society.

If you have a feisty fido that is likely to bite in a situation that’s stressful or to pick unwanted things off the ground, a muzzle might be a good idea. Stressful situations can include a trip to the vet or places where you’ll be around a lot of strange dogs and people. Although you will probably always have your dog on a leash, a muzzle is still a good idea for open places, especially with a more aggressive dog, because they can still lunge quickly and bit other dogs, or worse, people.

The idea is to associate something new with a steady flow of treats until your dog can’t wait to put the nose in! Start by treating the pet for just looking at it; then for sniffing it, then for touching it with the nose … and so on. These three steps alone may take you three days or more! Go at your dog’s speed, don’t try to rush.

Of course, it’ll be nice if you can purchase one product which will adjust as your dog grows but unfortunately, it’s not the case. If you want your pooch to enjoy a properly fitting muzzle you will probably end up with a few until your puppy is a fully grown dog.

It also depends on the model of the dog muzzle. Wire dog muzzles are made with a fixed shape cage part and come with adjustable straps. Some of the leather dog muzzles are made with fixed snout basket part and some allow you to adjust the part which covers your dog’s snout.

The first rule for a good fit is that the muzzle should be snug, but not tight. The muzzle should also allow your dog to open her mouth, but it should prevent her from opening it all the way. You want your dog to be comfortable wearing the muzzle, avoiding any chafing or irritation. Each product page at our website contains detailed information on how to measure your dog for the muzzle. Make sure the muzzle you select is the right size for your dog.

In order to get the perfect fitting muzzle, you will need to make the last adjustments. Having several adjustments from which to choose is important. Muzzles for larger dogs may have a strap that travels from the top of the head to hold it in place; the strap should have its own adjustment. you need to make sure the side straps and clasp straps can be unscrewed and repositioned. You may need to add some extra glue to keep them permanently in place and prevent them from unscrewing themselves due to the movement of the material and get lost.

A muzzle that fits correctly will not affect your dog’s breathing or health in general. Muzzles should allow a dog to exercise and walk comfortably. You want the dog to be comfortable wearing the muzzle, avoiding any chafing or irritation.

It depends upon temperature and the dog’s activity level. Constantly monitor your dog’s comfort and remove the muzzle if they are showing any difficulty breathing or signs of overheating.

Muzzles for dogs differ in modification, shape, methods of fastening, types, and materials of manufacture. To make a good choice, you need to focus on the pet's breed, its size, and character. The ideal choice is the one that fits well, is lightweight, comfortable and durable, secure enough to prevent your dog from removing it; easy to clean, easy to put on and easy (for an owner) to remove; prevents a dog from biting, yet allows the dog to breathe freely.

Wire muzzles are a more secure option, for an aggressive and determined dogs  however in a dog on dog altercation the metal wire can cause injury to all parties involved. Additionally, wire muzzles tend to react to weather- heating up or getting cold depending on the outside temperature.day!

The leather basket muzzle are more durable, malleable and are not affected by weather. wire dog muzzle provides your dog with better airflow and your dog can drink being muzzled.

On the other hand, a leather dog muzzle is a better solution for the cold winter weather because it does not reflect sunlight. Also some leather dog muzzles can be lighter in comparison to wire ones.

It is advisable that you must keep your dog always muzzled during transportation and vet visits. A dog may be stressed in such situations and his behavior can become unpredictable. So the muzzle is a must-have attribute.

Please first make sure that your pet gets used to wearing a muzzle in order not to feel discomfort during transportation. For some dogs even the fact of transportation cause enough stress.

Muzzles that are, tear-resistant and puncture-resilient. Easy to put on and off your pet’s snout, ensuring a snug fit with the adjustable strap and simply snapping closed are the best options for training.

If you live in the area where cold winters come often then you will definitely need muzzles that are suitable for the winter season. Choose the muzzle that won't let your dog's snout stick to a muzzle. Leather or wire with rubber coating will work great.

A wire muzzle is an excellent option for practical everyday use in the summertime and in warm season. It is well-fitting, comfortable, made on the basis of special strong metallic construction with a great design that provides your dog with best ventilation available among muzzles.

Basically the agitation muzzle is sturdier that other muzzles, it is used during times when aggression is being encouraged as in the training of a police service dog. These muzzles are built to be stronger and worn for longer periods of time. They are designed to allow the dog free movement of his mouth - to allow barking and the bite reflex. Usually, they have a side leather reinforcement for keeping the shape of the muzzle during attack or agitation training and strong leather covered steel bar to protect your dog's nose even during extreme agitation.