Okay, how about a pattern for a dog muzzle?

[VonFuct]

Has anyone made a dog muzzle before? If so, do you have a pattern or some pics I could look at?

Thanks in advance!

[Trauma]

What is the purpose of the muzzle?

There are several situations requiring muzzles, and they each need to be matched to the right muzzle.

Is this a commission job? Or personal?

If it's a commission job, find out more details and make sure you know exactly what you're making. Liability might be an issue here if the customer is ordering the wrong tool for their task.

If it's personal, talk to a dog trainer or behaviourist first and find out what type of muzzle you will need.

A professional will be able to tell you exactly what you need. (if they know you're a leather worker you might even get referals )

[UKRay]

If it's a commission job, find out more details and make sure you know exactly what you're making. Liability might be an issue here if the customer is ordering the wrong tool for their task.

If it's personal, talk to a dog trainer or behaviourist first and find out what type of muzzle you will need.

A professional will be able to tell you exactly what you need. (if they know you're a leather worker you might even get referals )

This sounds like very good advice to me - I'd also suggest you take a walk to your local pet store and scope out what they have on sale... obvious, but worth saying. Then check out online photographs of dogs that are obliged to be muzzled in public places to get some idea what is already being made.

I make quite a bit of dog equipment and can't see this as a particularly lucrative sideline, but good luck anyway!

Ray

[Spence]

You can't expect to keep the muzzle on the dog 24/7.

I'd recommend looking at various online suppliers to see what is available to thwart this behavior. I have used "Bitter Apple" (liquid spray) with great success in the past. I've also had just as much success with just watching the dog and stopping the chewing as it is about to start. I suspect it is a young dog and if so, it will grow out of it, but someone has to take control. A muzzle is not the answer.

On the other hand, if you want to look at muzzles, go here: http://www.rayallen.com/category/Muzzles

Also go here for a sizing chart (scroll down past the bite suit): http://www.rayallen.com/downloads/RAM_SizeChart.pdf

But, give the dog a break and train it.

[VonFuct]

Thanks guys!

Trauma, it's a personal job, not a commissioned piece and the purpose of the muzzle is to keep my roommates dog, Duke, from chewing on everything in the house when he is left unsupervised (which isn't that often). He's a 6 month old pit bull and still chewing on everything from the carpet, the wood door jams, electronics cables and plugs, the furniture, etc. When he's supervised, he's fine for the most part. It's when he's left alone (with my dog, Bella, a 20lb 8 year old beagle) that he tends to chew and eat everything he can get his mouth on. He has nyla bones, kongs, and various other chew toys but he still chews on things he shouldn't be when he's alone.

UKRay, I did go to the pet store last night before posting this thread and all they had were flimsy cloth muzzles for smaller (weaker jawed) dogs. I talked with a couple there that had two pit bulls and they said their dog broke the muzzles they sold there in less than 30 seconds. I went online and looked as well but wasn't able to find any patterns for a leather training muzzle. Duke is not an aggressive dog at all, so the muzzle is not to control biting, just his chewing. And no, it's not to get in to the dog muzzle buisness, it's just to get one that fits correctly, is safe and works.

Spence, no, I don't expect to keep the muzzle on 24/7. More like an hour or two a day when the dog is left alone. I have looked at other options as well, such as Bitter Apple but I would have to dose my entire house with the stuff to make a difference. Yes, Duke is still a young dog and I'm sure he'll grow out of it, but I can't afford to have him eat everything in the house until he does. And yes, the dog is stopped from doing the negative behaviors when we are around to witness them, it's when he's alone that he get's in to trouble.

Thanks again guys for the replys!

[frontpost]

Crate train the dog.

[Timd]

Crate train the dog.

Exactly what I was thinking

[CitizenKate]

Exactly what I was thinking

Thirded. (If there is such a thing.)

Kate

[cybertracy]

I fouthed it, and not to get on a soapbox (don't even know what one looks like) but to make a muzzle heavy-duty enough to keep a Pitt Bull muzzled (somewhat short snouts for so much lower jaw, as well as all that extra jowlage and neck skin that was I believe is a trait bread into such dogs to, among other things, thwart their jaws from being held shut) it would almost have to be along the lines of Hannibal Lechter's device. Even with the easier breeds to muzzle, the muzzles are short-term, rather uncomfortable and distracting devices designed for veterinarian visits or other such events. A dog left alone trying like crazy to work a muzzle off his face can get into lots of trouble and perhaps hurt himself.

Crating or even dog-proofing a spot in the garage, laundry room, bathroom or some small area where he can be comfortable in for a few hours would probably be a better idea.

But. . . if anyone has a pattern that will fit my 62-year-old mother-in-law, I'd appreciate a holler.

Edited August 13, 2009 by cybertracy

[CarvedOn]

Ahh Haaa Haaaa! Mother-in-law muzzle! ROLF! Like to see that.