French bulldog muzzle has always been controversial as it is often considered a sign of your canine’s aggressive behavior. Seeing the adorable Frenchie in a muzzle is not very pleasing, and you should always refrain from using a muzzle to punish your canine. Instead, it can be used as a tactic of prevention from expressing certain behavior. Today we will discuss the French bulldog muzzles at length so we can clear all your queries on why and when it is used.
While the muzzle varies from dog to dog, a well-fitting plastic basket muzzle or a short snout mesh muzzle is considered ideal for a French bulldog as they allow them to breathe freely and drink water.
What is a French bulldog muzzle?
A French bulldog muzzle is a tool or device specially designed for being put over your four-legged friend’s snout so they can’t open their mouth to bark or bite. This is also used to retrain aggressive dogs who develop a biting tendency while nervous, injured, or stressed.
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When should you get a muzzle?
All dogs don’t have a calm nature. Although French Bulldogs have outgoing and friendly personalities, they might show aggression if they aren’t adequately socialized or you have adopted an adult Frenchie. While a muzzle can be used for various reasons, the main reason is to keep your Frenchie safe. Read on to know about the various conditions when you might use a French bulldog muzzle:
- Emergency Cases
An injured French bulldog might behave differently out of fright. The chances to nip and bite increase even in the best-trained canines. People often complain about their Frenchie’s turning aggressive every time they are taken to the vet, given the many negative experiences at the clinic. Using a muzzle for a French bulldog will keep you and the vet safe while treating or moving them
- Biting History
Getting a muzzle for a French bulldog might seem wise if your Frenchie has a history of being aggressive or biting another dog or person in the past. While the muzzle is a temporary solution to your problem and might protect you and others temporarily, it is recommended to visit a dog behavior specialist who can offer the proper guidance to modify this behavior.
- Grooming Sessions
Frenchies aren’t big fans of a pampering session; some might even get stressed whenever they are brought to a dog groomer. Strangers prodding and cutting their toenails accompanied by loud noises can heighten the stress level of the already-anxious dog.
- Injury
A muzzle for a French bulldog can prevent them from biting and chewing body parts if they suffer from injury or recently had surgery. Leaving them unchecked can lead to further damage and worsen the condition by causing infections if they tear out the stitches.
- Yeast Infection
An imbalanced immunity can trigger yeast infection in French bulldogs, spreading rapidly all over their bodies. You can prevent your Frenchie from developing cuts and wounds by getting a muzzle for a French bulldog.
- Allergy
Licking and chewing body parts such as paws is a common allergy symptom. Your Frenchie will develop a natural tendency to bite and chew irritated skin to release the pain if they suffer from environmental allergies.
- Dog Walks
While the Frenchies are highly adaptable to different environments, they might not be appropriately socialized. This can cause them to display aggressive behaviors. They might eat some unwanted stuff from the ground as you take them on walks which can be prevented if you get a muzzle for a French bulldog.
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How To Muzzle Your Bulldog Properly?
You should introduce the muzzle to your pets before making your Frenchie wear it. We have assembled some trainer-approved tips on how to muzzle your Frenchie:
- Drop the muzzle of the French bulldog on the ground for them to smell it. Don’t forget to give them a treat while they are sniffing.
- You can drop some treats inside the muzzle to acclimatize your dog to the new object. While they gobble up the treat, pull away the muzzle to make your canine understand that the purpose of the muzzle is something else and not to eat the treat.
- Slowly socialize them with the muzzle and make them wear it for shorter periods initially before gradually increasing the period. Continue offering treats to your Frenchie as a reward for their tasks so that they understand that a muzzle is a tool for positive enforcement.
- Let your French bulldog wear the muzzle for some time inside the house so that they get accustomed to the muzzle.
- The pet owner’s responsibility is to ensure a positive experience for the Frenchie on their first outdoor trip wearing their muzzle. To make things easier, you can take them to their favorite spot and use positive enforcement while being patient to make the event successful.
Things To Consider While Buying A Muzzle For A French Bulldog
French bulldogs can snap when nervous and turn aggressive despite having the reputation of being adorable pets. Pet owners need to consider the following while purchasing a French bulldog muzzle:
- French bulldogs are brachycephalic breeds, so it becomes necessary to purchase muzzles made explicitly for Frenchies. You shouldn’t buy muzzles meant for general dog breeds as they might either be unaccustomed or more significant in size leading to injury.
- The French bulldog muzzle should make it easy for them to breathe since Frenchies suffer from respiratory problems like wheezing, snorting, and snuffling. They should allow them to drink water even with the muzzle on. For best results, you can search French bulldog muzzle made from a breathable mesh fabric to keep your canine calm and reduce anxiety issues they might have otherwise.
- Pet parents should ensure that the muzzle has an elastic strap like a harness or a collar, allowing complete size customization. Muzzles with adjustable straps will prevent your four-legged friend from getting hurt. You can get muzzles with a padded hole designed to accommodate the Frenchie’s nose. There should be adjustment options around the jaw and neck regions and padded areas around the eyes so your dog can enjoy a clear view while walking without rubbing against the skin and causing rashes and irritation.
- Most importantly, the muzzle should be made of a premium grade, non-toxic material. Getting them in water-resistant variants can serve as an added perk.
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Types Of French Bulldog Muzzles
- Plastic Basket Muzzles – These muzzles surround your Frenchie’s mouth without covering it. Thus, it prevents your dog from biting or eating food scraps off the floor. However, they will still be able to bark. You can get a soft or mesh muzzle if you don’t want them to bark.
- Short Snout Mesh Muzzle – This resembles a mask and features durable mesh and nylon straps. You should always choose a muzzle with openings for the nose and eyes so that your Frenchie doesn’t succumb to skin irritations. While mesh muzzles come in varying styles, it is best to get ones featuring a short snout design as that is well suited for your Frenchie’s flat face.
- Short Snout Soft Muzzle – A fabric is used in the mouth part of the soft muzzle setting it apart from its peers. It won’t irritate the sensitive regions of your Frenchie’s face as it is smoother than other meshes. A short snout soft muzzle can be a comfortable pick for Frenchies that cannot fit into a mesh muzzle as it is specially customized for their brachycephalic face.
Should Your Muzzle Your French Bulldog?
A muzzle for a French bulldog can be used as a temporary measure while working on their behavioral modification. It can keep your Frenchie safe and also protect other humans and dogs coming in contact with them. Muzzles are known to build a positive association between your canine and other dogs under the vigilant supervision of pet parents by preventing accidental bites. If your Frenchie gets overly aroused or trigger happy as you take them on walks, you can make them wear a muzzle accompanied by loose-leash training. A muzzle for a French bulldog can keep your canine comfortable while trying to fix leash reactivity issues that might cause them to snap or bite.
How To Select The Right Size?
Pet parents often mistake buying an incorrectly sized muzzle for a French bulldog. Bring your Frenchie while purchasing and talk to the store expert to ensure the correct size. The following measurement has to be taken to get the muzzle in the right size:
- Circumference just below the eyes and behind their nose.
- Snout length measuring from under your Frenchie’s ears back towards its snout.
- Bridge length spanning from above your Frenchie’s eyes towards the back of its skull.
While getting a French bulldog muzzle, you need to follow these below-mentioned sizing tips:
- If your dog is between sizes, go for the larger size so that your Frenchie doesn’t slip out of it.
- Measure their snout and the region below their eyes. Measuring around other parts of the face will make it easy for them to escape over time.
What To Do If My Frenchie Wears The Muzzle For Too Long?
If you plan to make your Frenchie wear a muzzle for a prolonged stretch, ensure multiple breaks throughout the day. This can be done by letting them wander around the house or taking them outside without it for a little while. Also, keep a tab over their behavior to guarantee their comfort while wearing one.
What To Do If My Frenchie Chews On His Muzzle?
You can use positive enforcement to teach your Frenchie that they aren’t allowed to chew on their muzzles. Some dogs can be extra fussy about having anything new on their face, so you must offer multiple breaks throughout the day. If your Frenchie chews too much, don’t remove it immediately; instead, distract him using their favorite treat or toy before trying again in a few minutes.
Are Muzzles Safe For Frenchies?
Muzzles are a safe option, provided they are used with care.
Can a Muzzle Make Your French Bulldogs More Aggressive?
Although the primary aim of a muzzle is to keep yourself and other people safe from your dog’s hostile behavior; it may, in some cases, have adverse effects. Yes, you heard me right! Most dog owners will muzzle their French bulldog to eliminate aggressive behavior and biting habits. But it has been shown that a muzzle might actually irritate a dog and further aggravate the aggressiveness. So don’t expect that a muzzle will change your dog’s behavior because that is only possible through proper training.
To make sure your Frenchie isn’t annoyed by the muzzle, let him have frequent breaks from it.
What Is The Best Size For A Muzzle For A French Bulldog?
The best muzzles have measurements of 4-5 inches around snout length, 6-7 inches around bridge length, and a circumference of approximately 15 inches.
How Long Can A Frenchie Wear A Muzzle?
Although muzzles can be helpful for your Frenchie in a variety of ways, they shouldn’t be worn for a long duration. It is advisable to keep your French bulldog muzzled for less than an hour. At the same time, you need to ensure that if your canine suffers from respiratory issues, they are muzzled for less than the prescribed time.
Conclusion
French bulldogs are an amicable and playful breed that displays liveliness despite their somber expressions. While comparatively quiet and reserved than their peers, they might bark at seeing unknown faces. Training Frenchies can be challenging, but their strong memory power helps them quickly learn and pick up new things. From our thorough research, we have concluded that proper dog training can help prevent various behavioral issues, and muzzles shouldn’t be used until necessary. Starting the training early and using positive reinforcements can be an excellent alternative to using a French bulldog muzzle.
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