Would you muzzle a dog reactive dog?

Okay I'm considering muzzling Bailey. He is actually a lot better, but sometimes he will react at another dog on a lead. He barks, growls and lunges. He does the same if the other dog is playing, running an agility course or anything exciting. If another dog is very boisterous, he may give a low growl and try to get away but has never done anything else (and last time he growled when greeting was about 2 months ago)
Like I said it's still a work In progress since I can never actually predict which dogs are going to set him off. No dog has ever actually approached him when he is kicking off, so I don't know how he would react if that happened.
He is on lead around other dogs btw.
When greeting other dogs he is mostly great, sniffs and then initiates play and has a few doggie friends.
So what do you all think?

No I wouldn't muzzle him, you have him on a lead and under control , muzzling him is not going to stop his reaction to other dogs, the only thing it will do is stop him making contact with a dog that comes into his controlled space.

I live by the theory I can only control my own dog, I am not responsible for those who don`t control theirs...

Millie was reactive, she spent most of her life on a lead, I tried a muzzle early on and she got attacked for her trouble by a dog that was off lead and approached her, my attitude from them on, was I had to protect my dog, I kept her leashed, but no way was I going to make her defenseless again against other out of control dogs.

Hiya

Looking at your post you seem to have things under control (more work on reactivity of course) what made you consider a muzzle in the first place? What do you think it will help with? Not trying to sound picky just wondered why?

I have used a muzzle with a reactive dog (Molly) at home with my other dog, but they are in my home in a fairly confined space and I know that Ima won't hurt Molly but wasn't sure how Molly would work, having used it a few times we now know they can cope along side each other without it. I wouldn't use a muzzle outside unless I genuinely thought that there would be real trouble without it

Ed was reactive with Border Collies and Black Labs - and which breeds are the most numerous at training classes? Like yours he didn't actually bite, but lunged with a loud bark.
I didn't muzzle him, but trained the 'Look the dog, look at me' command, and the instant U - turn. (Control Unleashed, Lesley McDevitt). It takes time, but it does work - they go through a stage of looking for dogs just so they can turn to you for a treat! I think these dogs lack confidence in reading dog body language, but they do become more relaxed with experience.

Thanks for all the replies! I'm just worried that he will bite if he is worked up enough

Looking at your last post, that's the same problem I have with my gsd, who is absolutely fine if the other dogs are fine, whether they come charging over to say hello, or whether we meet onlead, but then I am always in control, as Jackie has said, as long as I am in control of MY own dog, I don't have a problem, and nor do you either, and again, just like Jackie, I'm of the opinion that why should I muzzle MY dog, when it's somebody else's dog who is out of control charging over to mine giving her the aggression.

I'm not sure what breed your dog is or how old, but if he usually greets dogs ok when he's onlead and they're on or offlead, then it sounds like there are just certain dogs he doesn't like and if they keep their distance, you can do likewise because you say he's always onlead, then I don't see a problem?

If he feels threatened by certain dogs, then his first reaction is going to be a "keep away from me" stance, or a lunge or a bark/growl, that's all a warning to another dog, and he is doing no wrong really is he?

If you want to have one of those dogs who is always offlead, who charges over to everyone else's dogs, then it is you again, who has to be in control of calling him away when he takes off, otherwise a dog such as Bailey with either a fear problem or an attitude problem could find himself in trouble if he approaches the wrong dog, same as mine, but her problem is dogs with attitude who come over to her.

No, I wouldn't muzzle a dog like Bailey, if he's young he will soon learn about body language, but most of all, as Carole has said, try and get a focus with him, so that you are far more important than worrying about lungeing at another dog. The fact that he's always onlead, makes you in the right here, you are in control, but the minute you let him free and you are not in full control of his actions then you are then in the wrong, so a good recall away from other dogs is the first order of the day. They teach that at all dog training, even basic puppy classes we did that bit. You would benefit by having a pocketful of treats at all times, and every time you pass another dog, give Bailey a "watch me" or "with me" command and a treat and just walk on by or even have him sit next to you whilst the other dog goes past, so that his attention is always on you, and he'll soon learn.

He has doggy friends to play with and it's not compulsory that dogs have to greet every other dog they meet or pass on a walk. You need to read his body language each and every time he see's or walks past another dog and you'll soon become aware of which ones he doesn't like or feels could be a threat, and you take evasive action, by which I don't mean run in the other direction, I mean by getting that focus, have him sitting quietly next to you, simples! In theory anyway - took me 2 years!!!! Good luck, nobody wants an unpredictable dog, and it can be cured or controlled but only by you I'm afraid.

If your dog is not generally reactive, I'd not muzzle the dog. Sometimes aggressive dogs are here and muzzling your dog will only serve to make him defenseless in the event he was attacked. If you know he'll do severe damage, or if he reacts to everything... sure. But it doesn't sound that way.

My Jade reacts (sometimes severely) to other dogs that have not done a thing to her, and to children and some adults, as well. Must be leashed at all times, must be muzzled when around people. But if she reacted only to dogs that were in her space and never people, I'd not muzzle her.

It's a huge hassle because I always have to be extra wary of out of control dogs and carry weapons with me because she can't defend herself if a dog or something attacks but at the same time I won't risk the safety of kids or anything.

Thank you! He won`t be muzzled then He is 1yr 8 months and is a Westie mix

He has pretty good recall, he won`t recall if the dog is approaching him but otherwise he will

I'm currently using BAT to help my dog cope with his reactivity towards other dogs, and it's helping enormously.
I contacted a dog-behaviourist who specialist in BAT but you can find out about it on the web, too:-
http://empoweredanimals.com/

I think a muzzle is only really helpful if your dog bites or if he tends to eat things he shouldn't; if he doesn't do either of these things, then I can't see what you'd gain from it. You can't just put a muzzle on a dog and expect him to accept it instantly; it takes time to accustom a dog to wearing one, and it's something else for your dog to feel unsettled and unsure about. In other words, you might find it makes his behaviour worse.

Whether we like it or not, a muzzle says "Danger Dog!" to most people - you might find people are less happy to come close to him or let their dogs come up to him as a result, and if you're trying to socialize him that's a backwards step.

My advice, if you are seeing good results so far, is to carry on doing what you're doing! He sounds like a sweet little chap, just unsure about other dogs, and once he's found his confidence with them you'll be fine.