Don’t be put off by pooches with muzzles, says Dogs Trust Ilfracombe

Dogs Trust Ilfracombe has moved to dispel some of the common fears about dogs with muzzles – they’re not always aggressive by any means.

The rehoming charity wants to raise awareness and educate people about the various reasons why some dogs are trained to wear muzzles, in the hope of changing perceptions and encouraging more people to consider adopting muzzled dogs waiting for their forever homes.

Dogs Trust says muzzle training is often misunderstood, leading to people believing a muzzled dog is dangerous or difficult. In fact, muzzles can be an important tool that can help dogs feel more comfortable and safe in certain situations.

Sadly, dogs that wear muzzles can take longer to find homes, something the Ilfracombe team hopes to change by sharing the benefits of muzzle training and the various reasons a dog might wear one.

A prime example is Nuche, a one-year-old lurcher waiting at Dogs Trust Ilfracombe to find his forever home.

His muzzles has nothing to do with aggression but unfortunately greedy Nuche has the habit of picking things up off the floor that he shouldn’t when out on his walks. Since eating bits of litter or discarded food could make him very ill, he wears a muzzle for his own safety.

Otherwise he is a very happy dog and loves to run around, play football, fetch and have a game of tug, but he is also a clever lad who loves to use his brain.

Above: Nuche is a happy boy who likes playing football and fetch, as well as using his brain to solve puzzles. Credit: Dogs Trust Ilfracombe

Other reasons for a muzzle include when a dog is frightened, unwell, or in pain. Fear and discomfort can affect a dog's behaviour and a muzzle allows a vet or owner to provide treatment quickly and safely.

Muzzles can also support responsible ownership and ensure the safety of dogs and those around them. Some dogs may have a high prey drive, a history of chasing, or may become overwhelmed in certain situations.

Elise Watson, Rehoming Centre Manager at Dogs Trust Ilfracombe, said: “Dogs are muzzled for a range of reasons, and doesn’t necessarily mean they are aggressive as some may assume. There are a variety of different dog breeds in our care who wear muzzles and our staff put in lots of work behind the scenes to ensure muzzle training is a positive and fun experience for the dogs in our care.

“It can be useful for all dogs to be comfortable wearing a muzzle as you never know when it might come in handy. Dogs can learn to happily wear a muzzle in the same way that they learn to wear a collar. They can still enjoy their walks, pant freely, drink water and have treats. I hope by highlighting some of our fabulous current residents who wear a muzzle, we can help people understand that wearing one is normal for many dogs and isn’t anything to be concerned about.”

To find out more information about muzzle training, please visit www.dogstrust.org.uk/muzzles, and if you’d like to learn more about the dogs available for rehoming at Dogs Trust Ilfracombe, please visit the website at www.dogstrust.org.uk/ilfracombe.