{"id":2413,"date":"2022-01-25T23:09:06","date_gmt":"2022-01-25T23:09:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pitbulltribe.com\/?p=2413"},"modified":"2022-01-25T23:10:11","modified_gmt":"2022-01-25T23:10:11","slug":"should-american-pitbulls-be-muzzled","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pitbulltribe.com\/should-american-pitbulls-be-muzzled\/","title":{"rendered":"Should American Pitbulls Be Muzzled? How To Decide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

American Pitbulls are frequently thought of as aggressive dogs; however, that isn\u2019t everyone\u2019s experience. Many of us have had incredible experiences with our Pitbulls and known them to be incredibly affectionate, gentle creatures, but the stereotypes persist. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, there\u2019s a middle ground, not all Pitbulls need to be muzzled, but some definitely should be to protect themselves and the community. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should your american pitbull be muzzled?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

American Pitbulls shouldn\u2019t be muzzled if not necessary. Muzzles are useful only when the Pitbull is reactive, or you think it could be targeted. Some places require American Pitbulls to be muzzled in public. By muzzling your dog when appropriate, you\u2019re keeping you, your dog, and the public safe. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now I\u2019ll go over whether or not muzzling your Pitbull is necessary, places where they\u2019re required by law to be muzzled, and how to muzzle your dog properly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s Important To Muzzle Your American Pitbull When Necessary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For the safety of your American Pitbull and others, it\u2019s wise to muzzle it in various situations. These situations can include vet visits, grooming appointments, and other stressful situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s especially important to muzzle your American Pitbull for one main reason: many parts of the world consider this breed dangerous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The consequences for an American Pitbull biting someone will be far higher than any other dog breed. While another breed of dog may be quarantined, an American Pitbull is likely to be put down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A dog biting isn\u2019t uncommon. After all, dogs don\u2019t have words to communicate. It isn\u2019t that big of a deal if a Golden Retriever nips a neighborhood kid once, but if an American Pitbull does it, you\u2019ll be in a lot more trouble and likely have to get rid of your dog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The best way to prevent this is to have your American Pitbull wear a muzzle. That way, the only way your dog can be accused of being aggressive and biting someone is if the person removed the muzzle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Muzzle Your American Pitbull During Vet Visits and Emergencies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You may have heard the phrase, \u201cthere\u2019s nothing more dangerous than a wounded animal.\u201d When thinking about muzzling your dog, this is a phrase to keep in mind. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although your pup may be the most perfectly behaved pooch at home, it can begin to act out as soon as it goes through any pain. That\u2019s why the vet\u2019s office is one of the most common places for dog bites to occur. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Often, the dog will start to become distressed, and the owner will reach out to try and comfort the dog. A cornered or injured animal is no longer in its right mind and starts acting based on instinct, resulting in a bite, even to the hand that feeds it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In these situations, muzzling can be a fantastic option. Everyone stays safe\u2014the vet, you, and your dog. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One thing to keep in mind\u2014that specifically applies to American Pitbulls\u2014is that these dogs often have trauma. If you rescued your American Pitbull, there\u2019s a pretty decent chance that it was involved in some violence. Such trauma may make the dog more likely to lash out when restrained or in stressful situations like going to the vet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another thing to remember is situations where a severe injury has occurred. If your dog breaks a leg, it\u2019s going to be in so much pain that it won\u2019t know how to determine whether the hands coming toward it are there to hurt or to help. That\u2019s why it\u2019s always best to have a muzzle on hand, just in case. You never know when you\u2019ll need one. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have Your Dog Wear a Muzzle During Grooming Appointments<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Grooming appointments are also another hotspot when it comes to dog bites. Your dog is maneuvered and placed on a high table with many unfamiliar tools all around them. For a naturally nervous dog, this can be an incredibly nerve-wracking experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not all groomers will automatically put a muzzle on your American Pitbull. But if they don\u2019t, you should request it. As I previously stated, you\u2019re far more likely to be punished to the full extent of the law for a dog bite if the dog is an American Pitbull. Although it may seem mean, this is the best way to protect your dog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muzzle Your Dog When It\u2019s Introduced to Unfamiliar People and Situations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you know that your dog is nervous around new people or when they\u2019re in new surroundings, it may be a good idea to muzzle them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember, muzzling your dog is about more than just protecting the people around you from being bitten. It\u2019s about protecting your dog. If your dog bites someone, it will likely be reported to the police. Dog bit legislation varies from country to country and even state to state. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where I live, if a dog bites someone, they must undergo rabies quarantine where a police officer frequently monitors them. If they bite someone more than three times, you are legally obligated to put them down. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, if the dog involved is an American Pitbull, the consequences can be even more severe, and they won\u2019t always give you more than one chance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s why it\u2019s so important to muzzle your American Pitbull if you think there\u2019s a chance of a bite occurring. You don\u2019t want to lose your dog because of an accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Which Muzzle Should I Use?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You can use two main muzzles: basket muzzles and soft muzzles. Basket muzzles look like a cage and are made of wire or rubber, while soft muzzles are made from nylon or mesh. Generally speaking, basket muzzles are more comfortable and safer for your American Pitbull.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you\u2019re looking to purchase a muzzle for your dog, you may initially be turned off by the cage-like appearance of the basket muzzle. After all, it doesn\u2019t look very nice, and it won\u2019t do much to convince people that the muzzle is just a precaution and that your American Pitbull isn\u2019t a rabid beast. However, for most dogs, basket muzzles are more comfortable and safer than soft muzzles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Basket muzzles are typically made from wire or reinforced rubber material and are molded into a cage held over your dog\u2019s muzzle with a strap going behind their head. They may look quite a bit scarier than soft muzzles, but most dogs respond very well to them for a few reasons: <\/p>\n\n\n\n