Just wondering what the general oppinion about Muzzeling dogs while grooming is? I'm a groomer and I will use one if i feel i have too, But another person i work with absolutely will not use them because they feel it makes the dogs behave worse. On the Flip Side I know there is a shop in our town that sedates and/or muzzles every dog that comes in its doors and puts alot of cats completely under to be groomed.
We don't use sedation or any drugs, ever, because we feel thats something that should only be used under the supervisation of a vet. According to my boss, it can make the animals harder to work with because they don't always behave better and alot of them act like they're really drunk falling over wobbling ect.. Not to mention it never gives them the chance to learn that its OK to be groomed!

Anyway Just wanted to bounce this off you guys and see what the general oppinion is among dog people. :-D

I rarely use a muzzle, but will if I feel it's necessary. I do have a Groomer's Helper restraint system, though, which prevents about 95% of bites because it greatly reduces the "bite radius". It works like a cross tie one would use on horses, keeping the dog from turning or dropping his head to bite.

Sedation is done with prescription drugs. If a grooming shop is using sedation without having a vet prescribe the drug for that particular animal, they are breaking the law, and practicing medicine without a license.

I work at a vet clinic. If I need to sedate an animal it doesn't get a tranquilizer. It gets general anesthesia. So far, the only animals I've had to sedate are cats, and only a handful of those.

I don't think theres anything wrong with muzzles but I certainly wouldn't sedate. I rarely use a muzzle in the first place but will use one if required, however I have been known to muzzle just to be on the safe side if the dog is prone to being bitey, then I just won't take the chance! :-D

I also find once I muzzle a dog it actually calms them down as they know they can't bite and give you (the groomer) more confidence as your not anticipating any sudden, dangerous movements from the dog.
What you must remember is there is no serious harm done in muzzling and if muzzling a particular dog makes YOU more confortable then do it as a nervous groomer is more likely to be bitten anyway.

Justagroomer...and any other groomer who reads this, if you haven't heard of the Groomer's Helper, you should check it out. I've been using one for about 5 years now. It's easy to use, humane, doesn't get in your way, and it keeps you AND the dog so much safer. I will never go back to grooming without the Groomer's Helper. I cannot count the number of times I have NOT been bitten because I have the Groomer's Helper.

http://groomershelper.com/

And no, I do not work for the company, nor do I receive any monetary compensation for endorsing the products. I just really believe this is the best invention for groomers since the electric clipper.

Another way I use the muzle on occasion, is for when you have a dog who is all over the place pulling on their ears/cheek/hair whatever you're trying to hang onto when your plucking their ears.... I leave the muzzle loose enough that i can get my hand inside the strap going over the cheek and hang on to the strap instead, it helps me get better control of their whole head, without pinching or pulling on anything. these aren't dogs that are going to bit me and it seems to work better. not sure if anyone else has tried that out there... might not work on all muzzles.
also
Not sure the Helper would work on all tables, looks neat though... alot of restraint, i think some dogs might fight it at first?? I have a swiveling grooming arm.. (so nice to just push it out of the way)... but i don't think it would work with the cross tie part. do you use the hip restraint too?? do you use it for cats too??


anyway neat to talk to some other groomers, i haven't really met to many outside our shop

Actually, I think the basic set would work on any grooming arm. It's adjustable, and can be used on square or round posts, for example. The only problem people run into is using the extra clamps on an Edemco table. The clamps don't fit because they don't open far enough to fit over the edge of the table. You can purchase an adaptor, get extra clamps from Edemco, or if you know someone who's handy they can make you an adaptor.

I have found that 99% of the dogs I use the helper on don't struggle against it. They calm down pretty fast. You don't have to keep it tight all the time. Again, it's adjustable, you can raise it, lower it, lengthen the tether or tighten it as needed.

I only use the hip support on dogs who flop their butts down faster than I can lift them up. I do use it as a training tool when I'm starting puppies, or working on a dog who hasn't had any table training in the past. I can leave it loose, and pull it up briefly to encourage dogs to stand.

And yes, I do use it on cats. You just have to put it on like they show you in the video; under one "arm", not around kitty's neck.

I don't know if you noticed, but you can return the helper for a full refund if it doesn't work on your table, or if you don't like it. But you should give it a good trial period, 30 days. And it's guaranteed for life. If it breaks, they'll fix or replace it at no charge. How many grooming products have that kind of guarantee?

[cynthia421]

I have had poodles since I was 10 years old. As I got older I was able to groom all the one I have had. No problems, WELL we live in the country and people use us as a dumping ground for animals. The latest is a Shitz Tsu, She had a little t-shirt on, her nails were complete circles, fur was so matted all I could do was shave it. Easier said that done. SHE growls if you touch her, she bites if you touch her. My 29 year old son put on leather gloves and she bit him through the gloves hard (amazing she doesn't like hard food just soft), HA, I have never dealt with this before. How do I handle her? I put ads noone is looking for her which I doubted cause she was in such sad shape. So it looks like she is going to stay. I am debating keeping her cause who would want to groom her? She bites! I tried tying a little strip of cloth but because she has no muzzle to speak of, it comes off. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!. I want to do right by her but she makes it SO HARD.

[cigwyllt]

Well done for taking on such a difficult dog. I have no idea what to suggest re the grooming - I've never had a dog that didn't go mad for the chance to be brushed! The only thing I could think would be to just do the stuff that has to be done for the sake of her health/comfort - nails, remove the mats, perhaps getting the vet to do it under anaesthetic? Then build up trust until she is prepared to tolerate the lightest grooming? Do you clip all your dogs' nails or do they wear them down on hard ground?

[Yogi]

sock over the head is something a woman I read about used. The dog can breath fine but could not see much and that slowed down much of the unwanted attitude. I think it was one of those white sweat sock types if I remember.