Laws on keeping a dog muzzled in public

[bluebell16 972]

So since we're on the topic of muzzles, and I've never used one on my dog before, I have a question about the material of them.

 

I've got a really (to the point of being concerning) well-behaved and friendly German Shepherd. My family and I will be going to Paris and taking the TGV; we were told the dog needs to be muzzled, understandably. I have no problem with getting him a cloth/nylon muzzle, but would others see this as "not being strong enough" for a Shepherd? Is it common for larger dogs to break non-leather muzzles?

 

Really, I'm not worried about the biting, but rather excessive licking of other passengers... Still, I'm worried about people's reaction to a Shepherd in a flimsy cloth muzzle and worry they may think the muzzle isn't suitable for him.

 

Help?

[crusoe 2,574]

Well, the cloth/nylon ones aren't exactly made out of flowered calico - they're usually black and tough-looking! And since they tend to have a wraparound design that looks pretty chunky, I don't think you need to worry about people worrying. If the dog is snarling at every passing passenger, you just might be called out on the strength of the muzzle. In my experience a dog that isn't used to muzzles and suddenly has one slapped on is more likely to give you a reproachful "what fresh hell is this" look and crawl as far as possible under a seat.

[bluebell16 972]

crusoe,

 

Thanks for the quick response. I'll try out the muzzle a couple of times before we actually have to leave so my dog can get used to it. Luckily, he's not really the metro-sexual type, so he probably wouldn't appreciate a flowered calico muzzle anyway. ;)

[Bipa 5,814]

I doubt you'll have any trouble with the passengers if your dog is well behaved. But you might end up having a few problems with the dog not wanting to accept the muzzle if you just try it on a few times before your trip.

 

Some folks prefer the shock and fight approach. You just strap on the muzzle and then sit back and wait. A very few dogs will accept it right away, while others will fight and struggle to get it off. I don't particularly like doing it so abruptly, and would only do it if I had absolutely no time to prepare a dog ahead of time. Inducing panic and fear in a dog isn't something I recommend, but many old-fashioned training techniques rely on such methods.

 

I'd suggest a slow introduction. First show the muzzle to the dog and place a treat in it for the dog to take. The idea is to get the dog to touch the muzzle on its own with no stress or panic of being forced into it. Keep repeating until the dog starts putting its nose into the muzzle on its own. Then very loosely place it on the dog without doing up the straps and take it off almost right away a few times with more treats and petting. If the dog paws it then just stop for a pause with no treats, and go back a step. The idea is that eventually the dog will see the muzzle as something positive and fun. The goal of this training is that you'll be able to just hold the muzzle in front of the dog, and it will put its head into the muzzle for you to strap on without any major wrestling match.

 

It's a good idea for all owners to get their dogs used to a muzzle or at least a halti even if you don't plan to ever use one. You never know when your dog might be injured and need to be muzzled in order to be properly treated.

 

Cheers and good luck!

 

edit: was looking at different types of muzzles, thinking to give you some ideas of the pros/cons. Stumbled across this photo. Let's just say I don't recommend the "kitty muzzle" for the train

 

[bluebell16 972]

Bipa,

 

Thanks for the tips! You're knowledgeable and helpful, as usual. It's about a month yet before we leave, so I'll be sure to get a muzzle ASAP and start the training.

 

Cheers!

[Ruthie 216]

I've put Tobi's cloth muzzle on him a couple of times and he does try to get it off if he's not distracted. The kids in the 'hood aren't agreed on whether it makes him look more like a ninja or a platypus.

[anichka 2]

Bipa, spot on advice!

 

My boy loves the Gentle Leader now as much as the leash or his seat belt (a harness device) now. The biggest problem is waiting for his excitement to settle down when I take them out! He knows either one means we're probably gonna have a lot of fun soon.

 

I, too, will try to find a muzzle soon just to get him used to it.

 

I am a bit worried about how he's going to take the stress of the move and all the new places (temporary lodging, then a new neighborhood), but he's young (15 months) so I am hoping his age works in favor of this. He does not like strangers, though, and he will be meeting a lot of them soon if Germany works out for me...

[schweineloeffel 9]

This thread is quite old but I want to ask a question anyway.

 

What's the deal with all the Germans on the U-bahn/bus trying to tell me off for having my dog muzzled on the public transit system? I'm just following the rules and not being cruel to him! He's not a biter but he's also not very experienced with riding trains and buses and gets very nervous when we go. If it's the rule why do they keep complaining to me?

[BobbyDigital 695]

I wasn't aware of that rule.

[schweineloeffel 9]

As far as I know it's required. Have you ever noticed all those signs showing a dog's head muzzled? They're all over inside the trains and buses.

[bramble 9,643]

22 minutes ago, schweineloeffel said:

As far as I know it's required. Have you ever noticed all those signs showing a dog's head muzzled? They're all over inside the trains and buses.

 

This is correct. DB Webpage: https://www.bahn.de/p/view/angebot/zusatzticket/hunde.shtml

 

Zur eigenen Sicherheit sowie zum Schutz anderer Fahrgäste im Zug müssen Hunde mit einem Maulkorb an der Leine geführt werden. Werden Hunde ohne Leine/ Maulkorb angetroffen und diese können auf Aufforderung des Zugbegleiters nicht angebracht werden, kann der Zugbegleiter den Hund aufgrund fehlender Sicherheit aus dem Zug verweisen. Diese Regelung gilt nicht für Hunde, die in einem Transportbehälter mitgenommen werden. Blindenführhunde und Begleithunde schwerbehinderter Menschen sind vom Maulkorbzwang ausgenommen.

 

 

[Guest]

49 minutes ago, schweineloeffel said:

As far as I know it's required. Have you ever noticed all those signs showing a dog's head muzzled? They're all over inside the trains and buses.

 

In trains operated by DB (includes S-Bahn): yes.

 

In the u-bahn/busses: not necessarily. Depends on the operator. In the Stuttgart area (SSB) for example there are no signs because there is no general rule, only rather vague one:

 

"§ 12

Mitnahme von Tieren

 

(1)  Für die Mitnahme von Tieren ist § 11 Abs. 1, 4 und 5 entsprechend anzuwenden.

(2)  Hunde werden nur unter Aufsicht einer hierzu geeigneten Person befördert und nur dann, wenn sie an einer kurz gehaltenen Leine geführt werden. Hunde, die Fahrgäste gefährden können, müssen einen Maulkorb tragen."

 

https://www.ssb-ag.de/files/befoerderungsbedingungen.pdf 

 

So it depends on where you live and what operator you use. 

[yourkeau 7,723]

To be fair, I have never seen a dog muzzled in Germany (except police dogs). If there is some rule, everyone seems to ignore it.

[Uncle Nick 6,245]

You can see the rules here.

[schweineloeffel 9]

55 minutes ago, someonesdaughter said:

 

In trains operated by DB (includes S-Bahn): yes.

 

In the u-bahn/busses: not necessarily. Depends on the operator. In the Stuttgart area (SSB) for example there are no signs because there is no general rule, only rather vague one:

 

"§ 12

Mitnahme von Tieren

 

(1)  Für die Mitnahme von Tieren ist § 11 Abs. 1, 4 und 5 entsprechend anzuwenden.

(2)  Hunde werden nur unter Aufsicht einer hierzu geeigneten Person befördert und nur dann, wenn sie an einer kurz gehaltenen Leine geführt werden. Hunde, die Fahrgäste gefährden können, müssen einen Maulkorb tragen."

 

https://www.ssb-ag.de/files/befoerderungsbedingungen.pdf 

 

So it depends on where you live and what operator you use. 

 

Thanks for the information. I live in a little town east of Berlin. Going around Berlin is where people really seem to complain about me having my dog muzzled. All of the trains and buses I ride there have those signs showing a muzzled dog which is why I don't understand the complaints. My husband is German and says that it is actually required to have our dog muzzled on public transport so he insists we always do. Still people see a muzzled dog and get pissed.

[Uncle Nick 6,245]

Just show the people complaining the sign.

[Guest]

4 minutes ago, schweineloeffel said:

 

Thanks for the information. I live in a little town east of Berlin. Going around Berlin is where people really seem to complain about me having my dog muzzled. 

 

Then you are correct, BVG (Berlin pubic transportation) requires muzzling. http://www.bvg.de/de/Tickets/Mitnahmemoeglichkeiten (under "Mitnahme von Haustieren"). Don't listen to their complaints, Berliners are known to be 'special' (not to say they are a rough, direct and often unfriendly folk).  

[schweineloeffel 9]

2 minutes ago, Uncle Nick said:

Just show the people complaining the sign.

 

I'll have to try that. I speak decent German but I'm often so surprised by the suddenness of their approach that I just sit there not knowing what to say. I daydream through the rides.

[schweineloeffel 9]

Just now, someonesdaughter said:

 

Then you are correct, BVG (Berlin pubic transportation) requires muzzling. http://www.bvg.de/de/Tickets/Mitnahmemoeglichkeiten (under "Mitnahme von Haustieren"). Don't listen to their complaints, Berliners are known to be 'special' (not to say they are a rough, direct and often unfriendly folk).  

 

1 minute ago, someonesdaughter said:

 

Then you are correct, BVG (Berlin pubic transportation) requires muzzling. http://www.bvg.de/de/Tickets/Mitnahmemoeglichkeiten (under "Mitnahme von Haustieren"). Don't listen to their complaints, Berliners are known to be 'special' (not to say they are a rough, direct and often unfriendly folk).  

 

You're too right. I married a Berliner.?

[Guest]

15 minutes ago, schweineloeffel said:

You're too right. I married a Berliner.?

 

Then he should know how to handle his fellow berliners. Something like "Mach keene Fisimatenten und leg dir jehackt" should do.