AIBU to think muzzling all dogs in public needs to be mandatory?

[Peskylawnseed]

Five. I encountered five unmuzzled and unfriendly dogs on my morning walk today. Three on a flexi line. Two off lead. Not one under control.

It’s not hard to muzzle train a dog. Any adult who wants a dog should be able to do it. If you can’t, don’t get a dog! I am so sick of my dog being attacked, lunged at, snarled at, snapped at or growled at by other people’s uncontrolled dogs. And all whilst the owner stands there and either ineffectually says
’no, don’t do that, bad Rosie’ or just smiles indulgently and rubs their dogs back!! Owners who do that clearly have no idea they are reinforcing their dogs behaviour and I am so sick of my walks being ruined by these people.

Highlight of today was a woman with a bull terrier, which she knows isn’t friendly as I’ve seen it’s dozens of times now, lunging and snarling at mine whilst she just stroked its back and cuddled it. Words fail me. It’s not even about my dogs safety, it’s about her own dogs safety.

And it’s always the same dog breeds. Always.

I know any dog can be aggressive, but at least if you encounter a non friendly poodle chances are it’s on the lead or muzzled!!! I know it’s partly the owner because certain types of people are attracted to these sorts of dogs and 9.9/10 times they’re not equipped to deal with them. Or think beating the dog is how you train it. Or even think it’s funny.
But I am really coming to think all dogs should be muzzled in public because the few are endangering the many. It’s the easiest solution and the most easily enforceable.

YABU

I'm happy to call out crap owners and their friendly poorly controlled dogs, but muzzles don't prevent unsolicited approaches, jumping up and scratching or poor recall/ poor use of long leads.

It would be deeply unfair on well trained, controlled dogs and their owners, and the ones that wouldn't comply are the lousy ones anyway. Plus there wouldn't be enforcement anyway.

Yep makes sense. My two labs clearly need muzzling despite always being 100% reliably friendly to all and sundry.

Some people muzzle their dogs to stop them eating crap (literal crap sometimes). But chihuahuas are among the most snappy, bitey dogs despite being small.

Nope, if people trained their dogs properly then a muzzle is not needed. And I'm not going to start muzzling our 13 year old cockerpoo who is well trained and doesn't have a bad bone in his body.

Both of those types of dogs may need to be muzzled, chihuahuas are snappy and greyhound like chasing things. My soppy Labrador cross, not so much.

Really? Every dog?

Total over reaction as usual

i walk my two dogs off lead twice a day. Never see the behaviours you say

And a muzzle won’t stop jumping unhinged/reactivity.

perhaps you attract it

Yes but if it was muzzled I would not be worried about it biting me. I would still be pissed off about it getting my clothes muddy though.

I live close to a beautiful park where the whole world goes to walk their dogs. It happens almost every single time I go there.

Just off to walk mine. He'll likely chase the ball and sniff in the woods. And the other dogs won't bother him and he won't bother them. The other dog walkers will give him a fuss when he rolls over and shows his belly. That is my usual occurrence. You're very unlucky to encounter so much lunging and snarling. I'd be walking somewhere else

No, all dogs do not need to be muzzled in public. Presumably the issues you're having reflect the kind of area you live in.

The dog where the owner was trying to comfort it - that was the right thing to do - were you wanting the owner to tell it off so that it made the situation for the dog even worse?
The owner could have done this too but I'd advise you to give the dog a lot more space. Don't try to pass at close proximity. You're far more likely to get lunged at. My dog's not reactive but I always give on lead dogs space, even if that means crossing the road or walking back to any area of the path where I can stand out the way. The owner might not be able to handle it but if you can you should.

Is your dog always muzzled Op?

Also, I have a dog that doesn't enjoy being around other dogs much so I just take her for a walk where it's quieter.

Gosh, that’s very unlucky. Are you carrying sausages in your pockets because even walking my dog several times a day I don’t see this, and we meet a lot of dogs.

i agree, muzzle all dogs unless a vet signs off to say they cannot be muzzled for some reason.

policies are put in place to protect the many from the bad decisions of the few to save lives etc. Seatbelts, speed limits, age policies for buying fags and alcohol etc.

They don’t always work but if there is little deterrent… We need more policing and therefore more staff to do it. But it all costs money.

Muzzling should only be done if absolutely necessary - why should my friendly well behaved dog suffer because some dog owners are stupid?
Also when I walk my dog I rarely encounter aggressive behaviour from other dogs, very occasional snarling/growling as a warning to back off - but never had a physical attack in 6 years. My dog likes meeting people and most other dogs and loves having a run around with some of his doggy friends. Most dogs are friendly.
I would be in favour of some kind of license or mandatory insurance system though, that would need to be in place before a puppy can be bought, would prevent some irresponsible dog ownership and easier to prosecute people with aggressive dogs

YABU however having dogs all my life I have definitely noticed the behaviour of dogs poorer due to lack of basic training since the spike in Covid when the need spiked and costs went through the roof, plus puppy training classes, training schools closed are were booked up. I think quite a few people made ill informed decisions and under estimated the work involved.

Almost every time really? Do you make dog treats for a living or something? Still no need for every dog to be muzzled

There are definitely some very unlucky people on MN when it comes to their interactions with dogs. Really curious, isn’t it?

I've had dogs my whole life, not one of them had been randomly bitten by a dog on a walk. Are you sure you're interpreting the behaviour correctly? Dogs can be noisy, and bark, and jump when they're excited. Our beagle is very vocal but he's not nasty at all.

YABU.

Stay away from the Grimpen mire.

Wouldn't it be better just to muzzle train as standard. So if it's needed can be used with ease? Saying that a local vet practice has put a policy in place that certain dog breeds need a muzzle to attend.

I'm on my third dog and none of my dogs have been attacked by other dogs. Yes, they have been barked at from a safe distance but they don't routinely get snarled at or nipped. Dog's snarling or growling is communication. It just means I am not comfortable with you getting any closer than this. If your dog commnicates well then they would back off at that point. You sound like an extremely unlucky dog owner, maybe you or your dog give out signals of insecurity without realising it.

I walk a dog who will sometimes be reactive, usually to big dogs, black dogs, entire males, Frenchie type dogs with pointy stick up ears and / or flat faces.

I keep him on a close lead around other dogs and give them a wide berth, and if he is reactive I stand in front of him, between him and the other dog and calmly deflect him away. Reactivity is a fear based defensive act.

Close control, either on lead or bomb proof recall and obedience is what is needed.

But dogs will tell each other off / give a warning. Maybe your dog gives off dominant vibes or other signals that dogs don’t like?

Great. So start with your dog.

My in laws have a muzzle on their dog (because of his breed) I think when people think of muzzles they think of the dogs mouth being held closed but with their muzzle he sniffs about and meets other dogs the way other dogs would. After seeing him I’d have no problem with my dog wearing a muzzle if required!