Opinion on muzzles

I've never had a problem with Summer being aggressive but she is anxious around other people so I do worry, even after 13 years. When the vet comes we tried a muzzle for her yearly exam for the first time because he said there are times when a muzzle actually calms them. To my amazement it actually worked. She didn't mind the muzzle at all for the short time it was on, never pawed at it and immediately relaxed for her exam without any wiggling. I was very impressed with the difference the muzzle made on her. I thought I'd feel bad about it and was very reluctant when the vet told me about this but now I'm a believer.

When I told a groomer friend about this she explained that there is a nerve on the back of their head somewhere where the muzzle snap usually fits and when there is pressure on that nerve it gives them a calming affect, similar to accupuncture.

The only time I ever use a muzzle is during breeding.

I really have no interest in my dogs meeting strange dogs in parks and being able to run with them. I think you really have to consider the message you are sending to everyone who sees your Doberman in a muzzle, and realize that it totally feeds the anti-Doberman sentiment, totally feeds the "Dobermans are vicious and not to be trusted" myth, totally feeds the fact that some insurance companies are denying insurance to homeowners with Dobermans, totally feeds that some districts are trying to ban this "vicious" breed, etc. Having your Doberman appear in public this way hurts the breed in a big way, and makes me sad and frustrated that Doberman owners are contributing to our problems with legislators, insurance people and the general public. JMO

If I had a dog that couldn't be taken safely to such an area, I wouldn't do it - period. I'd find a more creative and safe way to provide the exercise it needs rather than have people think poorly about my dog and have them spreading the word and fanning the fire of breed discrimination.

I understand what you are both saying, but then I welcome suggestions on how my dog can get exercise. I don't live where there are woods, I don't live where there is anywhere to hike where there are not a gazillion dogs - I live in the middle of Hollywood, Ca where there are two places to go with dogs - Runyon Canyon and Laurel Canyon dog park. There are poodles and basenji's with muzzles on there, I have seen them for years, and never did I think that they were vicious dogs, never. Any breed of dog from chihuahua to jack russell to golden retriever to rottweiler can bite, and anyone with any common sense knows that. People without common sense that are going to see Bumpy and think that, well I don't really care what they say. Everyone pet him at the dog park, no one thought he was vicious at all and because he is so elegant, everyone approached me to see if they could play with him. He LOVES people, so of course that was a yes.

The canyon and dog park are FILLED with pit and pit mixes, so I am already surrounded by people that are fully aware of BSL - and hate it. I used to go every night with Callie, my pit, so I know everyone there. I respect what you both are saying, but I have chosen to allow my boy to be able to run instead of his only exercise being walks and obedience training. I am in a major metropolitan city with small backyards (unless you are really rich) and I am trying to do the best that I can for my dogs.

****My point for this thread was that I wanted to know if it was safe for Bumpy to run with a muzzle on and if he could breathe properly, pant properly, etc.****. Obviously I love this Dobie immensely and have rescued many pitbulls from death and found homes for them, so I am well aware of people misconceptions on specific breeds. I am not ignorant on this issue in the least bit - I just wanted to know if he was safe with a muzzle on to exercise in the park.

I feel that in a lot of ways a Doberman needs mental exercise more than physical exercise, or at least less physical exercise than some people think. I've always said that I'm not a fan of that saying "a tired dog is a good dog." A tired dog is a tired dog, period. A good dog is a trained dog.

I don't know how to say this but I just don't believe there are only 2 places for you to go. My community may have a dog park which is relatively new but there have always been places to go if one kept their eye open and if one were willing to be, as I said, creative. For instance, I see fenced ball diamonds and tennis courts. I see that they often have an open gateway meaning they are not completely safe so if I were in a situation where I wanted to take my dog there, I'd go with my own baby gate or ex-pen to fence off the open gate. I've seen school yards with the same kind of set up.

I'd rather take my dog to a school or church or some such thing that had a set of stairs and play fetch games up and down the stairs for exercise than go to a dog park. I'd rather set up tracking games or hiding games than take a dog to a dog park (again, if it were a dog that had to wear a muzzle to be there). I'd rather sign up for obedience, tracking, rally and/or agility classes than go to a dog park. But that's just me.

One has to care about the image they project with their dog if they care a bit about the breed, it's that simple. Quite frankly, there aren't a lot of people out there with common sense and you should care what they think - they are making the laws and rules in our countries that are affecting whether or not we can even own this breed. Like it or not, we are therefore held to a pretty high standard about what image we want to present to any member of the general public. It really doesn't matter if poodles and basenjis are wearing muzzles at your park - are they under the threat of being banned anywhere? Are their owners having difficulty getting house insurance? No. We are!

I do not like dog parks. I do have a large piece of land (2 acres) that Cole can run. However, I do chose to take him other places to run also. But, dog parks I stay away from. I have taken him to the tennis courts at parks and the high school; I have taken him to the baseball fields at parks. People see us running around in these places and if they have their dogs off lead, they are kind enough to leash them up when we are ready to leave.

My concern is that if another dog gets it in their mind to misbehave and start something, your guy will not be able to protect himself. I don't think you will be able to be close enough to him at all times to intervene in a timely manner and he could get hurt. But, then again, I never let Cole run with dogs at a park. I have taken him to one, but we were the only dog in the park.

Sometimes I feel bad because I am his only "dog" friend. But, then I do not trust other people and their dogs. Many people can live with a dog(s) forever and have no dog sense.

Oops . . . I'm rambling. . .