Training English Springer Spaniels – When To Use A Muzzle

16 Feb 2010

16 Feb, 2010 Dog Breeds

When talking to people about obedience training springer spaniels as well as other breeds, one point that is often raised is whether muzzles for dogs are a cruel thing or not. Is is unkind to muzzle a dog? Is a muzzle completely necessary? And can good obedience training negate the necessity of a muzzle? Here we will evaluate these concerns and provide some common-sense advice for anyone facing this option.

If you have the opportunity to train a dog from a young puppy, you can develop measures to deal with aggression or excessive aggression as the dog matures. This would take the form of making sure that you socialise your dog properly at every given opportunity as well as firmly establishing your authority as pack leader.

Occasionally, however, there are dogs which get into a frenzy of excitement too great to heed a command from it’s master. It is not that the do not hear or understand, more it is an inability to control the adrenalin rush and act accordingly. If this happens frequently it is often a good plan to have the dog castrated (as it tends to be more of a problem with male dogs). If a dog has a particularly high amount of testosterone in it’s bloodstream it can then have a problem controlling itself in these circumstances. When testosterone levels have reduced – which in older dogs can take a year or more – the dog will tend not to display these aggressive attributes.

There are also breeds of dogs, like spaniels and pit bull terriers, which have a genetic predisposition a phenomenon called ‘rage disorder’. In these circumstances a dogcan be friendly and loveable one moment and then, as quick as a flash, turn into an aggressive, dangerous animal without warning. Owners of dogs which display these character flaws have to take responsibility to ensure that their dog does not harm anybody or any other
pets.

The immediate action to take is to use a muzzle. Are dog muzzles cruel? No, providing that the owner ensures that the muzzle is the correct fit for the dog and is aware of what the dog can and cannot do whilst wearing it. In fact, in some countries, certain breeds have to be muzzled in public by law.

There are various muzzles available but they tend to fall into two types; rigid muzzles which completely enclose the dog’s snout and soft, elasticated muzzles. The former are usually made from thick leather, metal or plastic and completely prevent the dog from biting anything. In addition, however, the dog can not eat or drink while the muzzle is attached so care has to be taken over the length of time a dog is wearing one. The latter, elasticated muzzles bind the upper and lower jaws. With these, it is possible for the dog to open its mouth so can drink and eat but the pressure from the elastic makes opening the mouth wide enough to cause serious injury impossible.

An owner needs to use some common sense over when a dog is wearing its muzzle. Maybe if children or strangers are coming to the house or during walks are sensible .

occasions to put the muzzle on the dog. Also putting a muzzle on a dog when going out into the garden is often a good plan so that the dog gets used to the idea that the muzzle is one or he doesn’t get let out or do what he wants to do. I once had a very obedient dog, for example, who would get aggressive about coming back inside when called. A muzzle meant that any amount of aggression at this point was negated, making it easier for me to train him that I was pack leader at these times.

There is a free ebook for you to download at poochdogs.com which gets you started training springer spaniels as well as other breeds. Visit our site and get your free copy today.

Shortcut to practical info in the sphere of house train a dog – make sure to read this publication. The times have come when concise info is really only one click of your mouse, use this chance.