5 Best Muzzles for Yorkshire Terriers
Contents
- What is the Best Yorkie Muzzle?
- Different Types of Muzzles for Yorkshire Terrier
- When and Why Would a Yorkshire Terrier Need a Muzzle?
- 2023 Best Muzzle for Yorkshire Terriers
- 4 More Top-Rated Yorkshire Terrier Muzzles
- 5 Tips to Properly use a Muzzle with a Yorkshire Terrier
- FAQ’s Regarding Muzzles for Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkshire Terriers aren’t usually a worrisome breed for aggression, but like all small breeds, they can develop some anxiety about their size. If everything is bigger than they are, they can sometimes be prone to lashing out for protective purposes. Training usually helps calm some of your Yorkshire Terrier’s anxiety. However, if you’ve tried everything you can to keep your terrier from biting and nothing is working, it may be time to try a different approach.
Muzzles can help your terrier feel safe and prevent accidental nips and bits. They can be difficult to fit for a muzzle on size alone, but the good news is they have a standard snout. Most muzzle types will work as long as they come in a size small enough.
What is the Best Yorkie Muzzle?
It can be tough to know where to start when choosing your first muzzle for your dog, but we’ve got your back. These muzzles are excellent choices for Yorkshire Terriers and offer durability, comfort, and effective protection against biting. Plus, we’ve answered some questions you may have about how to choose and what to expect once you have. Let’s take a look.
Different Types of Muzzles for Yorkshire Terrier
There are different muzzle types, and not all are suitable for every situation. If your Yorkie is genuinely a bite risk, you may have more than one depending on the situation. Let’s go through your options so you can make a well-informed decision.
Basket Muzzle
Basket muzzles form a loose barrier around your dog’s mouth and allow for full breathing and panting. Many also allow your dog to eat or drink while wearing the muzzle. They’re suitable for walks or exercising because they don’t restrict the jaw movement. For Yorkies that must be muzzled in public, these are the most comfortable choice.
Slip Muzzle
These are the most restrictive. They’re essentially a tube of strong material that slips around your dog’s muzzle, sometimes obscuring the vision and sometimes not. The hole at the end allows your dog’s nose to remain uncovered, but they can’t open their mouths or pant properly. They’re intended for short term use and for emergency situations when you need your dog restrained immediately.
Soft Muzzle
Soft muzzles use more flexible cloth styles and are sometimes the choice of trainers getting dogs used to obedience. They don’t offer a lot of protection if your Yorkie is determined to bite, but they can help your Yorkie become accustomed to wearing something around the mouth or discourage anxiety nipping.
Face Muzzles
Flat nosed breeds don’t fit well into standard muzzle styles. They slip out of standard styles, but a face muzzle considers their anatomy. Your Yorkie won’t be comfortable in a face muzzle like this one, but it’s good to know if you’ve also got a flat faced dog in your household.
When and Why Would a Yorkshire Terrier Need a Muzzle?
Muzzles are necessary in certain situations. They can help protect both your dog and the people around as well as making activities like walking fun again. Let’s look at a few different reasons you may want to choose a muzzle.
Emergency Care
Even the most docile dogs sometimes lash out if they’re injured. Emergency care is critical to your dog, and you need to be able to work without worrying about bites.
Grooming
Grooming must happen, but many dogs hate having their nails clipped or ears cleaned. A full face muzzle could help calm your dog and allow these essential grooming activities to happen. If you take your Yorkie to a professional groomer, it also helps protect your groomer and make sure that everything is completed in a timely manner.
Building Trust/Training
Some anxious dogs who have trouble getting used to new situations could benefit from a comfortable basket style muzzle. Your dog can enjoy the walk or situation again and still benefit from the gentle protection of the muzzle. Basket muzzles give your dog freedom to pant and drink water, but they offer all-around protection until your dog is comfortable. If your Yorkie never gets comfortable, they can be worn for longer periods as a training aid.
2023 Best Muzzle for Yorkshire Terriers
| Our 2023 Picks: Yorkie Muzzle Recommendations | |||
| Rank | Muzzle | Price | Rating |
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#1 |
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$$ |
A+
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#2 |
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$ |
A+
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#3 |
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$ |
A+
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#4 |
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$$ |
A+
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#5 |
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$$ |
A+
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We’ve got our favorite pick, and we’ve also curated a list to find what works in your Yorkie’s unique situation. Different muzzles work in different situations, so you may find one that works best for your Yorkie, or you could find two! Let’s take a look.
Baskerville Ultra Dog Muzzle
Baskerville’s muzzle is a highly durable, basket style muzzle that can be heated and shaped to your Yorkie’s specific head shape. It features safe rubber basket material, so there’s nothing to break off or pinch. It comes in quite a few different sizes and has an adjustment that allows you to adjust it for a secure fit that won’t come off. For an all-around choice, this should be comfortable and durable.
It’s wide enough to allow your pet freedom to pant and eat or drink while the muzzle is still on. It’s one of our favorites for a customized, comfortable fit that won’t break down yet still provides full protection for longer periods. Yorkies that just won’t stop biting out of fear or aggression could really benefit from a muzzle like this one.
4 More Top-Rated Yorkshire Terrier Muzzles
Other muzzles may better suit what you’re looking for. Your Yorkie’s needs are not the same as everyone else’s, and one of these might be the one for you.
Four Paws Walkabout Muzzle
The Walkabout muzzle is a soft, slip muzzle that quickly secures your Yorkie for grooming or emergency purposes. It’s easy to fasten and features a comfortable yet durable nylon material. You can clean it easily and keep it around in your first aid bag for fast sedation when your Yorkie needs it. It’s also great for trimming nails or cleaning out ears. The affordable price could allow you to have more than one and keep them in places where you’re most likely to need them.
Weebo Pets Breathable Nylon Safety Muzzle
Another slip style, this one has extra padding for Yorkies who sometimes fight their muzzles. The material and seaming are reinforced and prevent your Yorkie from getting the muzzle into the side of the mouth to chew off. It comes in a few different sizes and has an adjustable strap for just the right fit. It’s excellent for fast restraint and could work well for your first aid bag. It’s also a nicer option for regular grooming trips because of the cushioning. The black color doesn’t show dirt or grime, but you can wash it out easily after each use if you need to keep it really clean.
Wintchuk Soft Silicon Muzzle
This is another basket style muzzle that uses no sharp metal parts that can break. It features two adjustment points and fits your dog well enough to stay put. The basket allows your dog to pant, breathe fully, and drink water while wearing it. IT stays out of your dog’s eyes, so you won’t cause irritation during longer periods like walks or other exercise. It’s highly affordable, and the silicon material has a long life expectancy.
Good Boy Gentle Muzzle
This muzzle is great for encouraging better behavior. It’s slightly less restrictive than a true slip muzzle, and it has plenty of padding to make it comfortable. It’s excellent for discouraging chewing or eating random things while you’re out on a quick walk, and it can cut down on nipping when performing grooming activities. It’s good to keep around for professional grooming sessions or when you want to help ease anxious nipping. You can adjust it for a closer fit, and the loop on the back can hook to a collar or a leash. It also comes in a few different colors.
5 Tips to Properly use a Muzzle with a Yorkshire Terrier
Let’s look at a few things you can do to make wearing a muzzle more comfortable. Whether it’s your dog’s first or millionth time wearing one, you still need to work with your dog. Many dogs have some reservations about putting something on their face the first time, but with patience and training, it could be a great option. Here’s what you should keep in mind as you begin.
- Decide if a muzzle is the right choice. It seems silly, but you should never go straight for a muzzle. Training can help alleviate a lot of Yorkie’s bad behavior, and a muzzle is often a last resort option. Make sure you’ve done your due diligence.
- Choose the right muzzle. Slip muzzles are uncomfortable and dangerous for long walks because your dog can’t regulate temperature. A full basket muzzle can be overkill for an emergency. Consider how you’ll use your muzzle most often and choose the one best suited for that situation. Otherwise, consider investing in a few different options.
- Start slowly. If your Yorkie has never worn a muzzle before, it can be difficult to train it to wear one willingly. Begin by allowing your Yorkie to play with the muzzle (no chewing) and reward any interest it shows. The first step is desensitizing your Yorkie to the muzzle itself.
- Later, you can reward your Yorkie for wearing the muzzle for small periods of time. If that’s too much, reward your Yorkie for just letting you put the muzzle on unbuckled. The idea is to increase the amount of good feelings your Yorkie has associated with the muzzle itself so you can slowly increase time wearing time.
- Don’t punish your Yorkie for reaching poorly to the muzzle at first. You don’t want any negative feelings associated with the muzzle, so it’s best to ignore when your Yorkie dodges putting it on or won’t come near it. Pay attention only to the behavior you want to see so that your Yorkie is filled with positive experiences associated with the muzzle.
FAQ’s Regarding Muzzles for Yorkshire Terrier
If you’ve still got some questions, we’re here to help. These are some questions we get a lot about muzzles and their use.
Is it cruel to use a muzzle with a Yorkshire Terrier?
Muzzles may look cruel sometimes, but in reality, some dogs would be put down for their anxiety or aggression without the option of a muzzle. It’s protection for your dog and prevents injuries from getting you both in serious trouble.
Muzzling a dog isn’t cruel as long as you’re using the right one. Long term wear should be non-constricting and allow the dog to pant and drink water. Restrictive muzzles allow you to perform short term activities in your dog’s best interest. Think clipping nails or delivering emergency care.
Does my Yorkshire Terrier need a muzzle?
If you’ve worked through your training and you can’t seem to curb the biting instinct, a muzzle could be your only option. They aren’t a replacement for training, so work through training yourself and seek the help of a professional for things beyond your expertise and ability. Once you’ve done your due diligence, a muzzle can be used in conjunction with training for more protection and a better outcome.
Can a muzzle make my Yorkshire Terrier more aggressive?
Muzzles that are uncomfortable and prevent panting when your dog needs it could cause more aggression simply because your dog is experiencing high levels of stress. If you’ve helped your dog get used to the muzzle and you’ve chosen the right kind and the right fit, a muzzle shouldn’t automatically spur more aggression. In many dogs, it’s the opposite, especially those that can temporarily cover the vision.
Should I muzzle my Yorkshire Terrier puppy?
Puppies nip and bite. IT’s part of the learning process. Your puppy needs training first and foremost. Don’t resort to the muzzle without the training because your puppy will miss a lot of valuable learning times.
If your puppy is older and displaying clear signs of aggression, it could be beneficial for both of you to explore the possibility of a muzzle. It might make your experiences doing activities a little less stressful for both of you and allow your puppy to learn better manners in the long run. You might also try the muzzle out for training purposes with the intent of ceasing use when your puppy is a little more well behaved.
