Recently, All Things Chihuahua received a request for an article and training video on muzzle training. We are always very excited to get new requests and got right to work on it. Although muzzles have a stigma as only for bad dogs, muzzles actually have a lot of uses.
They can be used to keep dogs from gulping down poop, trash, or even rocks on walks. They can help protect veterinarians in emergency situations or make it possible for your pet to stay in an emergency shelter with you.
Although most people are familiar with flat muzzles, the type that tie a dog’s mouth shut so they can’t bite, basket muzzles are the best option for long-term use. They allow the dog the ability to drink, take treats, and pant while wearing it.
We ordered a basket muzzle for our training video from Tye Dye Muzzles on Etsy. The custom fit muzzle is perfect for Tank, and Hillary even gifted us a second one for a contest we will be holding in the future. (Check back for a chance to win when we release the training video!)
We’re currently working with Tank right now for our training article, but in the mean time, Hillary from Tye Dye Muzzles agreed to interview with us to learn more about muzzles! The interview is below.
A bit about you?
I’m Hillary, I’m from Chicago but currently live in MA with my husband and two chihuahua terrier mixes named Tye and Ollie!
How did you get into muzzle making?
I got into muzzle making because my dog, Tye, couldn’t fit into most pre-made muzzles and needed a custom one. Tye, named after tie dye, inspired me to create unique muzzles with different color combinations. Since I couldn’t settle on just one set of colors, I started practicing making them so I could switch them up from time to time.
What goes into crafting a custom made muzzle?
The biggest part of crafting a custom muzzle is getting the measurements right. A custom muzzle won’t fit if the measurements are off, so I put a lot of effort into helping people with this step and finding solutions to ensure a perfect fit. Once the measurements are in and verified, I prep the muzzle by cutting the biothane into pieces and adding holes where needed. Then, I set the rivets in the biothane to form the muzzle. Once it’s done, I remeasure the muzzle to make sure it will fit perfectly.
Why are custom made muzzles important, especially vs. premades like Baskerville?
Fit is the most important aspect of a muzzle. A dog shouldn’t be able to take the muzzle off and should have adequate room to breathe. Ideally, the dog should be able to fully pant, though in some situations, like an air-conditioned house, it might not be necessary. If your dog isn’t comfortable in a pre-made muzzle, can’t breathe or pant properly, or can take it off, a custom muzzle is definitely worth considering.
Why should every dog learn to use a muzzle, even if they’re nice?
You never know when a muzzle will come in handy! A great example is my older dog Ollie, who’s 11 and one of the sweetest dogs – he wouldn’t hurt a fly. Recently, he was diagnosed with diabetes and started getting insulin shots. At first, he struggled with this and growled a lot while we gave the shot. Now, we muzzle him while giving him insulin just in case. Even the nicest dogs can benefit from learning to use a muzzle.
A muzzled dog is the safest dog in the room, and that ‘just in case’ is such a big deal when it comes to things like children, food the dog shouldn’t eat, new dogs in the house, etc. Think of it this way: you don’t wear a seatbelt because you’re going to get in an accident, you wear it just in case. The same thing can be true of a muzzle.
What are these features in basket muzzles such as the treat hole?
We offer treat holes, for easy access to give treats and open nose holes as well as forehead straps. The open nose hole takes the biothane away from the nose area if the dog is big into sniffing or sensitive to the muzzle resting on their nose.
If you’re planning to purchase a basket muzzle for your pet, give Tye Dye Muzzles a try! We were very pleased with our muzzle from them. We receive no commission for saying so, we just think they’re awesome!
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