Jafco Muzzle
When I realized I'd need a muzzle for clipping Rakka's nails, at first I got a regular nylon muzzle from the local petstore, but realized quickly that she could still bite me through a nylon muzzle. I did a bit of research, and found the Jafco muzzle, which is a plastic muzzle used in schutzhund and police dog training. It was very affordable compared to the leather muzzles available, and much more reputable than the plastic basket muzzles I've seen. Plus, they offer a very wide range of sizes.
Since getting it, I'm quite pleased with it. It seems comfortable and while Rakka would rather not wear a muzzle, she sits calmly while I put it on and doesn't constantly try to get it off. I've let her run around outside in the muzzle several times, so that she doesn't associate the muzzle with nail-clipping. Since the muzzle allows her to pant, drink, bark, and all that, it can be left on for exercise for longer periods than a nylon muzzle that keeps their mouths closed. Definitely a useful muzzle to have. Quite affordable, too, and from a well-established company with a good reputation. I recommend them to anyone who needs a muzzle for their dog for any reason.
Since getting it, I'm quite pleased with it. It seems comfortable and while Rakka would rather not wear a muzzle, she sits calmly while I put it on and doesn't constantly try to get it off. I've let her run around outside in the muzzle several times, so that she doesn't associate the muzzle with nail-clipping. Since the muzzle allows her to pant, drink, bark, and all that, it can be left on for exercise for longer periods than a nylon muzzle that keeps their mouths closed. Definitely a useful muzzle to have. Quite affordable, too, and from a well-established company with a good reputation. I recommend them to anyone who needs a muzzle for their dog for any reason.
Comments
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Thanks for the review
http://www.fordogtrainers.com/ has a nice selection of wire and leather muzzles.
See this page for sizing and measuring info
http://www.fordogtrainers.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1457
They've got a wire basket muzzle for your Dorky Yorkie or your Naughty Newfoundland!
An old hunter in the area called me one day to help him pull a huge boar out of the woods. This infamous boar had been terrorizing the rice farmers in a small valley for 2 years. For two years he'd eluded all their traps, ripped through metal game fencing, electric fencing, and a few of the local dogs he'd come across.
The farmers finally asked this friend of mine (he's nearly 70 years old) to come down and see if he could take care of him. Apparently it took him two days, but his dogs (2 Kishu, 3Kai) found and caught him. I got called in seeing as I'm the only member of the regional hunting association under 45, so I get the calls to help with the 'heavy lifting'. This boar was ridiculously heavy.
Well before we dragged him out, 2 of the dogs had been cut and needed to be taken care of. One of the Kishu had a cut on his left side that was bleeding and needed to be stitched right away (Ol' hunter is a retired animal vet). I was wondering how he was going to manage doing it right then and there, but he pulls out a roll of duct tape, tells the dog to lie down, and duct tapes the dogs mouth shut and proceeds to clean and stitch him up.
To be honest I was a little shocked at this bit of battlefield surgery, but it probably saved the dog, and seeing this thread about muzzles brought it back.
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