Shownotes
In this episode of The Yappy Hour, host Nathan Dunleavy is joined by Clara from The Muzzle Movement, an initiative dedicated to destigmatizing muzzles and educating dog guardians on their importance.
Clara shares the inspiring story behind The Muzzle Movement, from crafting a single muzzle for her rescue dog, Tolly, to running a multi-award-winning business that’s changing the narrative around muzzles. She dives into the misconceptions surrounding muzzle use, explaining why every dog regardless of breed, age, or behaviour should be muzzle trained.
Nathan and Clara also explore the controversial XL Bully ban, discussing its impact on dog guardians, the demand for muzzle training resources, and the emotional and practical challenges faced by XL Bully guardians. Clara shares insights on how to create a more supportive and educated community around muzzle-wearing dogs and how her team is helping dog owners feel more confident through free fitting days and resources.
Transcripts
Welcome to the Yappy Hour powered by
Yappily, the podcast for dog lovers
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:who want to deepen their understanding
of the dogs we share our lives with.
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:I'm your host Nathan Dunleavy and
in today's episode we're joined by
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:Clara, from the Muzzle Movement.
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:Clara's work is all about de
stigmatizing muzzles and helping dog
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:owners see them as an essential life
skill, not as a sign of aggression.
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:We also dive into the recent XL bully
ban and what it means for dog owners,
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:as well as why every dog should
be No matter their age, breed, or
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:personality, should be muzzle trained.
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:This is a must listen for anyone
who wants to feel more confident and
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:prepared in their dog care journey.
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:Clara Hewson: Hello.
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
Hi Clara, welcome to the Yappy Hour.
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:Thank you so much for
being here with me today.
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:How are you doing?
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:Clara Hewson: Thank you
so much for having me.
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:Yeah, we're really good.
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:Wednesdays are our sort
of like team meeting day.
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:So we've had a day full
of like loads of ideas.
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:So
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Lovely.
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:Clara Hewson: Come up and be
able to like, ah, have a minute.
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
So you're just buzzing
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:around with lots of ideas and
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:Clara Hewson: Everything's
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: stuff.
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:Brilliant.
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:Well, I know you're very, very busy,
so I do appreciate you taking the
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:time out to come on to the Yappy
Hour to have a chat with me, Clara.
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:So for those who may not know
you or the Muzzle Movement, could
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:you share a bit about the Muzzle
Movement and what inspired you to
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:start this incredible initiative?
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:Clara Hewson: Yeah, I
love telling this story.
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:So, yeah, I originally, you know, when
I started out with what was the Muslim
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:Movement, which was supposed to be just
sort of a advocacy and education page.
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:I had a dog.
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:Tolly and he was muzzled
and he had a bite history.
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:He was a rescue and I got
him at seven and a half.
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
I read about Talia.
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:Yeah.
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:Clara Hewson: He's very special.
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:He's on the wall behind me.
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:He, you know, I experienced for the
first time quite a lot of prejudice
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:against him when we were out in
public with people saying things
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:like, you know, he shouldn't be here.
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:You know, you shouldn't be walking
him in these places when actually
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:quite often it was their dog that
was behaving inappropriately.
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:Mine was quite often
on a lead and muzzled.
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: The way
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:Clara Hewson: Yeah, we had quite a
few negative interactions and I'd
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:worked in rescue a really long time.
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:So I knew that there was stigma of
surrounding muzzled dogs, but I hadn't
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:actually ever experienced it firsthand,
you know, with strangers throwing
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:insults at me across the street.
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:And I was like, well, I don't
think I can do a huge amount
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:here, but what I can do is.
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:Start an Instagram and tell everybody
about how amazing muzzle dogs are.
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:And I made Tolly a muzzle because I,
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yes.
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:Clara Hewson: you know, I had
things that I wanted from a
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:muzzle that I couldn't find.
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:And I was like, Oh, well, it's
like hard on his make bond.
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:And he, you know, I shared it
on Instagram just as sort of a
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:side quest to what I was doing.
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:And everyone was like, I
think I want one of them.
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:I was like,
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Oh,
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:Clara Hewson: I think I'm on to something
here and naively was like, yeah, I guess
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:I could sell these and then before I knew
it, I'd sold 800 in 30 days and I had
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: oh my.
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:Clara Hewson: So yeah, I was
like, Oh no, what have I done?
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:Cause I had a full time job.
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:Yeah, I had eyes bigger than my belly.
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:I think, and I was like, come
on, I can help all these dogs.
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:Yeah, no problem.
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:I can help you.
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:It actually took me like eight months
to get through those first 800 orders.
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:Cause I had no idea what I was doing.
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:So yeah, that's how I ended up
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Whoa.
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:So you just, just sort of fell into it
and then overnight it just went crazy.
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:Clara Hewson: Yeah, the intention
was never to like, you know, I
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:wanted to make the world a bit of
a better place for muzzle dogs.
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:And if I could,
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.
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:Clara Hewson: the welfare of muzzle
dogs while I was doing it, I love that.
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:I didn't actually want
to quit my previous job.
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
Oh, okay.
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:Clara Hewson: I love this just
as if not more, but yeah, at
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
of course.
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:Clara Hewson: I was
like, what have I done?
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:Yeah.
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
Oh my God.
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:I love that.
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:Clara Hewson: Yeah.
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:I just woke up one day and it's like,
I don't think I can do my job anymore.
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:I haven't got
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: And,
no, you had to cut back on, like you
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:say, your full time job because this this
beast just grew into, you know, you had
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:to focus your time and energy onto it.
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:Clara Hewson: Yeah.
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:And
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Oh, wow.
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:Clara Hewson: it worked out really
well because, you know, I, I left
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:my full time role in May and then
sort of by September we had news
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:of the Excel bully ban happening.
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:And
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yep.
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:Clara Hewson: by December, you
know, yeah, it all was out the water
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:and there's no way I could have.
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:You know, continued to be a senior
training and behaviour advisor
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:at Dog's Trust during that.
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:So,
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Ah,
that's where you were, the dog's trough.
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:So, it's not even been a year yet
that you've left your full time job.
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:Oh my god!
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:Clara Hewson: Yeah, it's
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Wow.
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:Clara Hewson: pretty great.
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:It's just over a year now,
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Just,
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:Clara Hewson: May the year before, but
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
hours of May here before,
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:Clara Hewson: yeah, we,
it's just over a year.
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:And, you know, this time last year,
we were a team of, you know, three
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:and I was calling in all my friends
because the bully ban had just happened.
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:And I was like, you need
to come and help me.
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
yeah, getting all your favours.
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:Clara Hewson: Yeah.
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:And I was like, quick, you need
to come off to work immediately.
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:And
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Wow.
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:Clara Hewson: this time last year,
yeah, we were a team of four just,
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yes.
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:Clara Hewson: we're a team
of 12 and you know, they're
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Oh wow.
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:Clara Hewson: Yeah.
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
God, you've like tripled
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:your, your workforce and
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:Clara Hewson: Yeah.
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
it's just this big beast is
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:just growing and growing.
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:So we are going to be touching
on the Excel bully ban you
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:know, later on in the episode.
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:So I'm glad you brought that up.
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:But as you already mentioned, muzzles
can be such a controversial topic.
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:Clara Hewson: Yeah.
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
do you think there's still
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:much, there's still so much?
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:Stigma surrounding them.
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:Clara Hewson: I think
it's really difficult.
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:I think that there's loads of reasons.
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:I think there's this perception
that in some ways, muzzles don't
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:allow dogs the same freedoms that
they would have without a muzzle.
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:So quite often we'll get comments on
our social media, like, well if, if
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:you don't like it, you should wear it.
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:You know, if you like them so
much, you should wear them.
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:Or how would you like if I
tied your hands together?
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:You know, they're not comparable.
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:A muzzle, you know, yes, there definitely
are muzzles out there that are.
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:unethical and unsafe and
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Sure.
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:Clara Hewson: used for long
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.
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:Clara Hewson: But majority of
dogs, muzzles provide them with
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:freedom that they wouldn't have.
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:So
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Exactly.
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:Clara Hewson: not taking freedoms away.
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Exactly.
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:Clara Hewson: the misconception
is that, you know, yeah, sometimes
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:need them to be able to do things.
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:Other dogs don't need
them to be able to do.
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.
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:Clara Hewson: And then I think
that the UK's legislation around,
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:you know, when a muzzle should
be used has a really big impact.
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:So in the
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.
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:Clara Hewson: the only time that
a muzzle is legally required is if
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:you have this quote, dangerous dog.
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:And that kind of plays into our perception
of why that dog would be wearing a muzzle.
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:We kind
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yes.
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:Clara Hewson: obviously
they've been forced to buy this
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yes.
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:Clara Hewson: it's the law.
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.
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:It's all just gone a bit nuts.
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:No, I'm a big, I'm a
big advocate of muzzles.
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:And being a qualified dog trainer as well.
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:I used to run puppy classes.
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:So muzzle training was
part of my puppy classes.
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:It come as standard and people
like Oh, this is a bit strange.
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:Why are we doing this?
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:But I was like, well, every
dog should be muzzle trained.
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:And if we can start to introduce
them and desensitize them from
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:an early age at a puppy, then
it's not going to be a big deal.
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:And they're needed for the groomers
sometimes, they're needed for vets.
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:You do not want your dog just having
this thing forced on their face.
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:It's already a stressful
experience going to the vets,
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:Clara Hewson: Yeah.
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
to the groomers.
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:You don't suddenly want this
thing That's not been trained
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:or desensitized on your face.
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:Clara Hewson: Yeah, I think first time
that, you know, dogs wear muzzles, it's
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:just this like fun and novel experience.
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:It doesn't have to mean anything.
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:It can just be a really great game
to help confidence build, putting
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:their face into novel objects.
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:It doesn't have to
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: exactly.
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:Clara Hewson: you know, because one
day my dog, may end up biting the bed.
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:You don't know.
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:But I
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.
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:Clara Hewson: At the moment,
like, we don't know what scenarios
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:our dogs might be put in in the
next sort of 5, 10, 15 years.
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:I think the bully ban,
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.
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:Clara Hewson: also, like, I had quite a
few interesting conversations this week
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:because there's been lots of natural
disasters over in the States, I just,
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:like, that sort of scenario where you're
in an emergency, you don't know who's
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:going to be handling your dog, where
you're going to end up, you don't know
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:if you're going to be, you know, around
other people, around other animals.
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:Having the ability to your dog for a
scenario like that, just in case you
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:need to be able to pop a muzzle on.
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:It is sort of invaluable.
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
Yeah, yeah, without a doubt.
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:I used to do it as the cone game.
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:So they have like a cone and you sort
of get the puppy used to the face
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:going in the cone with some treats.
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:The dog that sat on my lap now,
he, he has no problems with
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:pop, popping his face into.
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:a bar or like a Costa Club
or something like that.
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:So yeah, it's really important.
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:I think it comes down to education again.
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:And there's a number of reasons why a dog
could be muzzled, which we can talk about.
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:But yeah, thank you so much.
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:So we mentioned the Excel
bully ban there then.
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:So.
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:The Excel bully ban was
undoubtedly a huge talking point.
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:How has that impacted the muzzle
movement and the, and the demand
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:for muzzle training resources?
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:Clara Hewson: Yeah.
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:I mean, significantly we have, you
know, we, this time last year, the
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:bully ban had just been implemented.
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:We were just finding our feet and we were
sort of flung into this new stratosphere.
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:And I think it would be unfair to say,
you know, the Excel bully ban didn't
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:benefit us from a business point of view.
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:Of
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
Of course, yeah, yeah.
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:Clara Hewson: And I think that's important
to note, because although we absolutely
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:wish that it never happened, it had, it
forced us to move very quickly, which I
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:think is why we are further ahead than
we would have been otherwise, because we
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:were sort of flung into a position where
we wanted to make sure that resources
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:and muzzles were available immediately.
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.
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:Clara Hewson: What's that needed the
most, but the thing that we've probably
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:outside of, obviously, you know, sales for
sizes that would fit XL bullies tripling.
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.
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:Clara Hewson: We have hosted free
fitting days, which are open to any breed
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Wow.
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:Clara Hewson: read that comes
here more than any other
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:breed is the XL bully or an XL
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
Is it, is it?
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:Clara Hewson: Yeah.
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: okay.
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:Clara Hewson: And
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah,
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:Clara Hewson: all over.
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:They took, you know,
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: really?
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:Clara Hewson: XL bully.
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:Guardians have driven, you
know, eight hour round trips
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Oh, wow.
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:Clara Hewson: You know, come and, you
know, have a bit of support because on
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:our fitting days, it's not just about
how that muzzle fits, it's how we can
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:introduce it safely the first time, you
know, perhaps they've really struggled
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:with different muzzles or even our muzzles
so it's sort of walking them through
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:how we might want to introduce it for
their specific dog because sometimes
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah,
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:Clara Hewson: Dogs, they've
had to wear a muzzle.
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:They got, they got three months notice
and that was if you believed it was going
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:to happen, which a lot of people didn't.
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:So muzzle training in
three months is really hard
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: it is.
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:Yeah, it just,
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:Clara Hewson: all this pressure.
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:So,
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
yeah, it just came out of nowhere.
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:And then, you know, suddenly
everyone's having to get muzzles.
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:They didn't even know
where to get them from.
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:And, you know, obviously train.
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:And yeah, it just it was
a really stressful time.
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:I know for a lot of ex algaeoners.
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:Great that they found you
and that you put on these.
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:these fitting days.
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:What do you think is missing
from the conversation about about
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:breed bans and muzzles in general?
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:Clara Hewson: Yeah.
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:I think that, well, there's a few things,
there's, you know, breed bans as a whole,
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:you know, I couldn't disagree with more.
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Oh God,
that's, that's a whole other episode.
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:Clara Hewson: But in terms of
specifically, you know, the perception
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:of dogs that have to wear a muzzle
because they're legally mandated to,
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:I think there's a lot of, oh, it's so
sad that they have to wear a muzzle.
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:Oh, it's so miserable.
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:I would, I would move out the country.
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:I would never subject my dog to that.
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:I think.
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:Okay, fair enough.
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:Like, if you think a muzzle is that awful,
I think if they were to actually ask a
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:lot of the Excel bully guardians who've
introduced their muzzle slowly and they've
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:invested the time in an appropriate
fit and, you know, they've done all the
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:desensitization and counter conditioning,
dogs aren't that impacted by the
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: The
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:Clara Hewson: the public's perception,
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
perception.
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:Clara Hewson: Yeah, the, you know, having
to be on lead all the time, because
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:being on lead I think is more restrictive
than a muzzle in a lot of cases, like
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:loads of muzzle dogs can have enjoyable
off lead exercise with a muzzle on.
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: yeah.
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:Clara Hewson: I think that of people
focus on how awful it must be for
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:that dog to have a muzzle on, but
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Okay.
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:Clara Hewson: the Bully Bound, and a lot
of the time it's not actually the muzzle.
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
It's not, and to the dog,
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:it's probably not a big deal.
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:Yeah, there's this alien
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:Clara Hewson: Yeah,
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: and
they may not have, you know, may not
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:have had to experience that before,
but from the dog's point of view, it's
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:not really a, probably a bigger deal.
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:It's everything else
that's going on, isn't it?
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:It's all the other crap that's
surrounding it unfortunately.
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:And we, we mentioned
about the owners as well.
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:Obviously they were feeling overwhelmed
or they were feeling judged when
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:their dog had to wear a muzzle.
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:How do you think we can change
this narrative to create a more,
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:a more, a more supportive culture
around what muzzle wearing?
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:Clara Hewson: I think part of
that comes from the way that we
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:talk about dogs that are muzzled.
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:So if we're saying things and repeating
things and putting them out in the world
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:about how awful that must be, you know,
how uncomfortable that must be, we are
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:reinforcing the narrative that they
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
Yeah, we're, we're creating that
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:negative narrative, aren't we?
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:Clara Hewson: And I think a lot
of, know, bully guardians have
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:learned actually out of everything
the muzzle is not the worst bit.
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:So they aren't saying, you know, I
wish he never had to wear this muzzle.
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:I think really they would prefer
not to have to neuter and not, you
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:know, to have to keep him on lead.
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah,
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:Clara Hewson: but yeah,
I think that there's.
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:There's lots of work that can be done
about the language that we use to describe
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: yeah,
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:Clara Hewson: And a lot
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: yeah.
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:Clara Hewson: needs to happen on helping
the wider population understand that,
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:you know, dogs aren't just muzzled
because they are, quote, dangerous dogs.
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:There's a huge amount of reasons
why dogs might be wearing a muzzle,
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:and actually you haven't got a clue
why that dog's wearing a muzzle.
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:So about it.
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
Yeah, it all comes back to education
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:again and I'm really big on sort of
education and owners being educated.
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:But this area in particular, like
you say, there's hundreds of reasons
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:why they could be wearing it.
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:And it just comes down to
education again brilliant.
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:Thank you.
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:So we're gonna move on to the importance
of muzzle training for every dog.
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:We sort of already touched
on it a little bit there.
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:But why do you think it's so important
for every dog regardless of age
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:or breed to be muzzle trained?
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:Clara Hewson: Yeah, I think like
I mentioned before, you never know
375
:what scenario you're going to be
in if my worst case scenario is,
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:you know, I've got a small dog.
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:I've got a very big dog, but
I've got a very small dog.
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:She's 12.
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:My Biggest fear is that we are out in
public you know, a larger dog bigger
380
:than her comes, bowls her over, she's
injured in some way, and she's not good
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:at veterinary handling, she's not good
with strangers, and she doesn't, she's
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:lived with my partner for eight years, and
still now he can't pick her up to put her
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Oh,
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:Clara Hewson: does it, of her own, you
know, free accord, but he can't put
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:her under pressure to do that, so, you
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
Oh, bless her.
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:Clara Hewson: That's a big fear of mine
that we will end up in a medical emergency
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:and, you know, I might need help.
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:I might need help.
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:You know, I, you know,
it's not just another dog.
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:It could be that we get hit by a car.
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:I don't know.
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:I could need help as much as she
needs help or in a car accident.
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:I don't know.
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:And I just think if she didn't have
the skill of muzzles at that point, how
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:would she have adequate veterinary care?
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:It just wouldn't happen.
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:And she's so special that I'd be
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.
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:Clara Hewson: just ignore me.
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:So her.
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:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.
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:Clara Hewson: And on that note, you know,
my larger dog, my worry is potentially
404
:he could inadvertently injure something,
somebody else, you know, live, not
405
:livestock wildlife in particular.
406
:I just think he's got
such a high prey drive.
407
:He's
408
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.
409
:Clara Hewson: anyway, because he's
currently exempt, even though he's not an
410
:exiled bully, but a whole nother topic.
411
:He could have been exiled bully when he
was eight months ago, but now he's almost,
412
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Oh,
and there's that thing in it about
413
:if they fitted in to type and it
was all done on height or something.
414
:And,
415
:Clara Hewson: yeah,
416
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: oh,
417
:Clara Hewson: yeah, but
418
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: it was,
419
:Clara Hewson: his muzzle all the time.
420
:So
421
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: yeah.
422
:Clara Hewson: found in the last
year of him wearing his muzzle,
423
:the amount of different contexts
that I have used his muzzle, even
424
:though that wasn't the original
intention of him wearing his muzzle.
425
:So when visitors come, he really
hard mouths, which is not fun
426
:for the people that visit.
427
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
This one mouths.
428
:Clara Hewson: Yeah,
429
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.
430
:Clara Hewson: him as a muzzle in that
scenario, one, so that he can have
431
:safe and comfortable interactions
with those people, but two, so that
432
:people visiting are more comfortable.
433
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
yeah, I'm not going around there again.
434
:Clara Hewson: And he's so big as
well, like when he's jumping up and
435
:mounting it, it's really not fun.
436
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
It's not fun.
437
:I mean, this one does it because
he's over excited and and then over
438
:aroused and obviously he's Marvin
because he and he wants attention.
439
:He's an attention seeker, but you know,
he's got his other issues as well.
440
:But no, I mean, another reason
I wouldn't have even thought to
441
:put a muscle on them to stop him.
442
:Malvin, because like my, you know, my
parents are getting older and they don't
443
:want him nipping at him and it hurts.
444
:Their skin is not as tough.
445
:So I really, I'm really interested
to know what breed is the
446
:12 year old, the little one,
447
:Clara Hewson: She is, she's
a Cavalier Cross Westie.
448
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Oh.
449
:Clara Hewson: Mostly, in fact, I
don't know if you can see, she's
450
:on the wall behind me, I've chopped
451
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Okay.
452
:Clara Hewson: But she's Cavalier
Cross Wesley, but she gets
453
:called a puggle all the time.
454
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Oh
455
:Clara Hewson: but yeah,
she's exceptionally cute.
456
:She's called Pig, and I've
had her my, you know, for the,
457
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
she's called, she's called pig.
458
:Clara Hewson: Pig.
459
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: I
hope it doesn't give her a complex.
460
:That's for sure.
461
:For whatever reason, I thought
you were going to say Chihuahua
462
:because I've got three.
463
:And again, Chihuahuas have got
such a bad rep, haven't they?
464
:As an aggressive dog when
really they're just so spirited.
465
:You've got so much character.
466
:Clara Hewson: yeah.
467
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: because
they're snarling and they're baring
468
:their teeth, they're deemed aggressive.
469
:So I thought you were going
to say you had a chihuahua.
470
:Clara Hewson: I mean, she, one of
the girls in the team does have a
471
:chi, so we're big chi advocates here.
472
:And
473
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
Oh, great.
474
:Clara Hewson: One of the things that, you
know, really frustrated us in the bully
475
:band was loads of people saying, Oh,
actually, you know, they aren't the worst.
476
:XL bullies aren't the worst.
477
:You
478
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.
479
:Clara Hewson: like, no, not breed
stereotype, one breed and then stereotype
480
:another one in defense of the other one.
481
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: And
it's all, and chihuahuas do get a bad rep.
482
:They're always used in courses and stuff.
483
:Yeah.
484
:Anyway, I could get on my high horse,
but let's move on to the next question.
485
:So what are some of the common
scenarios where muzzle training
486
:can make a big difference for
their dogs and their owners?
487
:Like we said about, you
know, the vets, the groomers.
488
:I really liked your, your example
then of your own dog and visitors.
489
:Clara Hewson: This is a big one.
490
:I think that we if we utilize muscles
more when people come to the home, we
491
:wouldn't have so many dog incidents.
492
:Dog bites predominantly happen inside
the home with people that we know, right?
493
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: yeah,
494
:Clara Hewson: just because your dog is
in the home and with people, you know,
495
:doesn't mean that that is a completely
safe and void of risk scenario.
496
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: yeah,
497
:Clara Hewson: I think that muzzles
should be considered part of an option
498
:available to dogs that might need them.
499
:Their scavenging is another huge reason.
500
:Probably second, I would say, most popular
reason for people to choose a muzzle
501
:is dogs that eat items they shouldn't.
502
:They live in areas where
there's bait or poison.
503
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: yeah,
504
:Clara Hewson: It might be that they
ingest items they shouldn't like
505
:they, you know, they really enjoy
toy play, but once they've ordered
506
:the toy, they try and swallow it, or
507
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: yeah,
508
:Clara Hewson: it could be that they
poop, or they're on a special diet.
509
:So maybe
510
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: yeah.
511
:Clara Hewson: something and
they're not allowed to eat
512
:everything they come across.
513
:So
514
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah,
there's loads of reasons, isn't there?
515
:Medical, medical reasons that
it's an older dog yeah, like you
516
:said, there's so many reasons, but
it's just instantly people just
517
:like, oh, the dog's aggressive.
518
:And we need to get away
from that narrative because
519
:Clara Hewson: absolutely.
520
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
there's a number of reasons, you
521
:know, we need to, need to look
beneath the surface and not judge.
522
:Clara Hewson: It's putting off people
that actually a muzzle would make their
523
:life significantly less stressful.
524
:You know, if you're walking a dog
and you're worried about them eating
525
:everything they find, and they
have a medical condition that means
526
:potentially it's life threatening if
they do eat that thing, the reason
527
:they don't want a muzzle is because
they're worried what people will think.
528
:hindering their welfare and their dog's
welfare, which is really miserable when
529
:you know, you think of it like that.
530
:So,
531
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.
532
:Clara Hewson: There is definitely this
533
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Okay.
534
:Clara Hewson: We need to
judge people less for the
535
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yes.
536
:Clara Hewson: their individual dogs
537
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah,
538
:Clara Hewson: in turn consider things
for our own individual dogs that maybe
539
:we thought we wouldn't have previously.
540
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
and I think the Excel bully ban has
541
:brought this, this shift and this
focus more on muzzles, hasn't it?
542
:And I think if we can just, like, help
educate the owners a bit more even if
543
:it's done at the groomers at the vets,
at puppy training classes, if we can just
544
:help the The owner navigator, because most
owners just want the best for their dogs.
545
:Clara Hewson: Yeah
546
:Yeah,
547
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: and
yeah, we need to not be quick to judge.
548
:So talking about our owners, then, those
that are nervous about starting muzzle
549
:training, what would you say is the
first step that you would recommend?
550
:Clara Hewson: Yeah, for me, I think
there's loads of things that are great
551
:to do, but I think perhaps finding
other people that use muzzles for all
552
:sorts of different reasons, right,
because I think when we are you know,
553
:a dog guardian and we're considering
using a muzzle for the first time, we
554
:might think we are one of a minority of
people that are going to use a muzzle.
555
:because the dog is not aggressive
when actually it couldn't
556
:be further from the truth.
557
:The majority of people that
buy our muzzles, obviously
558
:the bully ban is a huge one.
559
:Those dogs aren't aggressive
dogs and then challenging.
560
:So if you were to follow us along
on socials, the majority of dogs
561
:that are tagging, tagging us in
their posts and stuff, they're just
562
:normal dogs that eat poo or like.
563
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
Most, most do eat poo, or they eat
564
:horse poo, or, or they roll in fox
poo, they might try and eat that.
565
:Clara Hewson: You are not on an island on
your own and you aren't the only person
566
:in the world that's considering a muzzle.
567
:There's hundreds and hundreds of
people that reach out to us every day
568
:asking whether we think a muzzle would
be appropriate for their scenario.
569
:our answer was always, it's always
useful to have it, even if you think,
570
:OK, but it's not that big of a problem.
571
:I can manage it.
572
:You know, I can use baby gates or
I can keep them on lead or I can.
573
:OK, I agree.
574
:All of those things are
phenomenal management strategies.
575
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
management.
576
:Clara Hewson: That sows a muzzle.
577
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
Yeah, and a muzzle, yeah.
578
:Clara Hewson: Yeah,
579
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: I
think it's just breaking down that
580
:stigma, and we're starting to get there.
581
:So how can we make muzzles
feel like a normal and positive
582
:part of the life for our dogs?
583
:Clara Hewson: I think there's,
there's quite a lot to be said there
584
:for people showing their dogs living
happy lives, wearing a muzzle, I think
585
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.
586
:Clara Hewson: wear events and go, can
a dog even drink through a muzzle?
587
:Yes, dogs can drink in muzzles.
588
:They can drink eat if it's safe to do so.
589
:Otherwise you get scavenger guards
that prevent them from eating, but
590
:they can take, treat through a muzzle.
591
:They can, you know, regulate
their body temperature.
592
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
I can pant.
593
:Clara Hewson: Yeah, they can do everything
that they could do before a muzzle, just
594
:can't do it with their mouth, right?
595
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.
596
:Clara Hewson: I think that there's a lot
to be said for people that, you know, show
597
:their dogs, they're out in public with
their dogs, living a good life, sharing
598
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.
599
:Clara Hewson: media, and making sure that
people understand that actually, some of
600
:these dogs are living better lives than
dogs that don't have access to muzzles,
601
:who might not, have the confidence to take
them to the places that the confidence
602
:that a muzzle provides would give.
603
:So,
604
:That's a big part.
605
:I think also there's learning
more about muzzle fit.
606
:So quite often if
607
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yes.
608
:Clara Hewson: A member of public comes
to us for the first time, they're like,
609
:I've tried a muzzle but she hates it.
610
:She'll never, she'll never wear a
muzzle, they're awful, my dog hates them.
611
:And that is, the muzzle is not very well
fit, so it's quite restrictive, the dog's
612
:not comfortable, they can't regulate their
body temperature, they can't pant in the
613
:same way, and I probably wouldn't like
that either if I was, I was a dog and I
614
:was like, no, I need to cool down now.
615
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.
616
:Clara Hewson: So,
617
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.
618
:Clara Hewson: that has a much
bigger impact than we realise, is
619
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.
620
:Clara Hewson: putting restrictive
muzzles on dogs and then saying, oh
621
:no, all muzzles are terrible because
my dog hates them, we need to assess
622
:fit as much as we need to assess, you
know, how that muzzle was introduced.
623
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
Definitely.
624
:I don't think sometimes certain
TV programs, how people like they
625
:were going on about a certain
breed on this morning yesterday.
626
:And that's now, that's now gonna, you
know, probably start to take some.
627
:Clara Hewson: Yeah, I think the media has
a huge role to play in the bully band,
628
:but in the perception of, you know, dogs,
and I think that the same with, you know,
629
:the images that rescues use the images
that that's used images that trainers use.
630
:I think all of us, everybody in
the, you know, dog stratosphere
631
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.
632
:Clara Hewson: To make sure that
when we're talking about muzzles,
633
:we're using appropriately fitting
muzzles, because that might be the
634
:only time that person sees a muzzle.
635
:If that's what they think is normal, then
they need to use a muzzle in the future.
636
:That's what they'll reach for, because
637
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.
638
:Clara Hewson: So we have a responsibility
to make sure that, especially as
639
:professionals that are giving advice
to the public, we are advising
640
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
Definitely.
641
:Clara Hewson: how to safely introduce
a muzzle, but how to make sure that
642
:that muzzle is safely fit as well.
643
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
Yeah, yeah.
644
:Because you don't want a dog that's got,
you know, got one that's uncomfortable
645
:or too small or too big, you know.
646
:Clara Hewson: Harder as well, like
when when I was in rescue, there
647
:wasn't many muscles available, right?
648
:And, you know, these dogs are
already really distressed.
649
:They're in kennels quite often.
650
:They're not getting out for
as often as they'd like.
651
:They don't have the
same human contact time.
652
:They might have just suffered
like a really traumatic loss or
653
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.
654
:Clara Hewson: that has thrown
their, you know, social and
655
:safety network out of the window.
656
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.
657
:Clara Hewson: on top of all of that, I
need you to learn a new skill in this
658
:thing that is not going to be comfortable.
659
:And it
660
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.
661
:Clara Hewson: they're in kennels
longer, the training takes
662
:longer, they don't get in a home.
663
:There's this likelihood
664
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.
665
:Clara Hewson: behaviour
complications might arise due to
666
:the duration of time in kennels.
667
:So
668
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.
669
:Clara Hewson: critical effect.
670
:And it starts with Is it
actually going to be comfortable?
671
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah,
672
:Clara Hewson: mine.
673
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
well if I was wearing one, I'd
674
:want it to be comfortable and
I'd want it to be colourful like
675
:yours are and full of bling.
676
:Clara Hewson: I mean, it's
a terrible example, but it's
677
:a lot like the COVID masks.
678
:Like, sure, we could have
all worn the PPE, but we all,
679
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: We all,
680
:Clara Hewson: right?
681
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
we did, didn't we?
682
:I got some of my business name, like my
business name on and got them all branded
683
:because I think I'm going to wear it.
684
:I might as well.
685
:Clara Hewson: exactly.
686
:if it's going to keep
you safe, you'll wear it.
687
:But if you're going to wear
it, it's going to look cool.
688
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
It's got to look cool.
689
:And, you know, before COVID came
in, I used to see, like, certain
690
:people from different countries
wearing masks, and you're like,
691
:oh, I wonder why they wear that.
692
:And then, again, there was a stigma
around wearing the mask, and then it
693
:had to come the norm, and people are
still wearing them now, and that's okay.
694
:If they want to wear it.
695
:Brilliant.
696
:Thank you so much.
697
:Let's move on then to talking about
some of your success stories, your
698
:awards and advocacy the muzzle
movement has won multiple awards.
699
:So multi award winning.
700
:What do these recognitions mean
to you in the work you're doing?
701
:Clara Hewson: Yeah, I think that
everything we've done in this last
702
:year, it has felt so magical, like
the first ever stand at Crufts that
703
:was completely dedicated to muzzles,
like that's never been done before.
704
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
That's massive.
705
:Clara Hewson: Yeah, like being you
know, we've had our muzzles on TV,
706
:we've had them we've had, you know,
from YouTube come and visit and tell
707
:stories about us and our story and,
you know, I think the awards is just
708
:the sort of icing on the cake, really.
709
:It's like, people see what we're
doing and they think that we
710
:are doing a really good job.
711
:And quite often when you're in the
thick of it, and you're juggling
712
:templates and, you know, running
around, like, let's check it out.
713
:You forget there's actually people
watching and hoping that you do well.
714
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
Is that clear?
715
:Clara Hewson: you do get a bit bogged
down, you know, with the bully ban, we
716
:missed deadlines, we were inundated,
we wanted to make sure we got them
717
:out quick and sometimes we, you know,
we were slower than we wanted to be.
718
:sometimes you get bogged
down with that stuff.
719
:So it's nice to, you know, step
back and be like, look where
720
:we are a year later today.
721
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
Yeah, look at what you've achieved.
722
:That's amazing.
723
:And it was to be expected that
you were, you, you, you were just
724
:thrown in at the deep end, really.
725
:So if there were a few delays,
like you, it couldn't be helped.
726
:So you were doing your best.
727
:Clara Hewson: we're I'm learning.
728
:I've never run a business before.
729
:I've never managed a team of 12.
730
:I didn't know how to manufacture anything.
731
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
And you've said about spinning,
732
:being a business owner, you
are spinning a lot of plates.
733
:So you've gone from like being employed to
being a business owner and having staff.
734
:And like you say, it's like.
735
:And you forget about some, some
of the stuff and it's nice just to
736
:be able to then be recognized for
all the hard work you're doing.
737
:Clara Hewson: When you're competing
against really big brands, you know,
738
:they're doing some really cool stuff.
739
:And when people say no, like we
like the message that they have.
740
:And I think
741
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: yeah,
742
:Clara Hewson: reflected in the public's
perception of muzzles changing, but also
743
:like pet professionals understanding
of muzzles is changing as well.
744
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
yeah, yeah,
745
:Clara Hewson: that's really cool.
746
:When I started, you know, I came
with what I thought a muzzle should
747
:fit and I had a dog and I was like,
I think I can do better than this.
748
:But before that, I'd never
thought about it here.
749
:Like not.
750
:I thought there are alternative muzzles
available for the dogs that I was working
751
:with in rescue, only when it was my
dog and I was like, I want to be able
752
:to deliver treats easier now, was I
753
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: yeah.
754
:Clara Hewson: fixed this, which I'm
like, duh, like you've had those
755
:problems your whole life with dogs.
756
:Yeah, it's
757
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Oh,
758
:Clara Hewson: hear that.
759
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
brilliant.
760
:Do you have like a, I mean, you
get tagged and sent loads of
761
:messages and I appreciate it's
hard to keep up a little bit.
762
:Is there a favourite success story from
an owner or dog that's benefited from
763
:your resources that stands out at all?
764
:Clara Hewson: I think we've got so many.
765
:I mean, we're always told, you know,
Oh, my dog's worn its muzzle for
766
:10 minutes for the first time ever.
767
:Or dog is able to make friends
with my mum's dog who he's never
768
:met before because I feel relaxed
and happy and safe and, you know.
769
:They're having safe interactions.
770
:And, but I think for me, the, the one
that I think like deserves an honorable
771
:mention, I suppose, is have a friend
that we knew from dogs trust who
772
:adopted a dog on the 29th of December.
773
:Right.
774
:He
775
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: yeah.
776
:Clara Hewson: Yeah, 29th of December, just
before the XL Bully ban, he's called Hippo
777
:and he's this big sort of bald headed XL
bully and she was like, you're with me.
778
:And you know, he'd been wearing a really
small muzzle, he'd been introduced to
779
:a muzzle and he actually came and he
tried on our size Harry and it was too
780
:small for his big chonky head, which is
781
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
brilliant.
782
:Clara Hewson: unusual that happens.
783
:So he had a muzzle that didn't fit him
very well, his Harry wasn't a really
784
:good fit, so he helped us design.
785
:The size bigger.
786
:So the first sort of six months
of this year, Hippo came five
787
:times to our unit and he is
788
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Oh.
789
:Clara Hewson: absolutely just
chef's kiss, perfect temperament.
790
:I am so mad did not take him home.
791
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
Oh, you're getting hippo envy.
792
:Clara Hewson: I have got Hippo envy,
but he, you know, he was saved at the
793
:ninth hour from euthanasia because
794
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
I think I saw something about this.
795
:Clara Hewson: Yeah, he made it onto BBC.
796
:So yeah, he came and helped
design this size for us.
797
:He came to the unit five times.
798
:We had all these different
versions of the size Mitzi, which
799
:is the size bigger than Harry.
800
:And then, you know, he was the
first one to get his hands on it.
801
:He road tested it, got it
out there in the public.
802
:And, you know, now he's
living his best life.
803
:He's been on
804
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Oh,
805
:Clara Hewson: Yeah, he
was on BBC as ITV like
806
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
little celeb.
807
:Clara Hewson: Yeah, he is.
808
:He's like a, yeah, he's like
a, he's like a perfect example
809
:of an Excel bully because he's
just so gorgeous in every way.
810
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
Well, he's advocating for the breed.
811
:Clara Hewson: Exactly.
812
:Yeah, he's like, I, I will show
everybody Excel bullies are friendly.
813
:I promise.
814
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
XL Bullying Mascot.
815
:And I'm a big, I'm a big believer in
like being your dog's superhero as well.
816
:I've said that in a couple of
other episodes, so it definitely
817
:sounds like, you know, he's
found his superhero as well.
818
:Clara Hewson: Absolutely.
819
:I just think they've not only have
they changed Hippo's life, but
820
:bringing him to our unit five times.
821
:It's not that they're not very local, like
they, there was no benefit for them in
822
:that I wasn't paying them that, you know,
they didn't get free and discounted stuff.
823
:They just wanted to make sure
that other dogs like Hippo had
824
:access to appropriate muzzles.
825
:And I just think what they,
what Hannah and Hippo did
826
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: yeah.
827
:Clara Hewson: It's crazy because
she didn't have to do that.
828
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: No.
829
:Clara Hewson: So
830
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
that's amazing.
831
:Clara Hewson: really special.
832
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: It's
really nice when you hear sort of,
833
:like heartwarming stuff like that.
834
:Particularly on a cold, chilly day.
835
:Yeah.
836
:Clara Hewson: There's so many phenomenal
people that have helped us out along
837
:this journey, and I just think like,
you didn't have to do that, but they
838
:do it because they love muzzled dogs
or they love their breed or, you know,
839
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Exactly.
840
:Clara Hewson: how magical is that?
841
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
Yeah, it's so magical.
842
:Thank you.
843
:So what would be your vision for
the future of muscle awareness
844
:and training in the UK and beyond?
845
:Clara Hewson: Yeah, I think that
I would like to see more people.
846
:to the idea of introducing a muzzle,
or at least less of an adverse
847
:reaction when a muzzle is potentially
848
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.
849
:Clara Hewson: by the trainers, veterinary
practices, groomers I would like there
850
:to be a higher level of understanding
of how to introduce a muzzle because
851
:Sometimes when we're introducing
a muzzle for the first time,
852
:we want to move really quickly.
853
:And that kind of confirms our perception
that that muzzle is not very nice because
854
:And the dog's like, no, I don't like this.
855
:It's on my face now.
856
:And I think that if we understood,
actually it's something that takes time.
857
:It's, you know, it's not a two day thing.
858
:It's a two, three, four.
859
:week, you know, five minutes
860
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.
861
:Clara Hewson: thing.
862
:Then I think that more people would have
more success with introducing a muzzle,
863
:because I think a lot of people try and
they go, I've tried it, it didn't work.
864
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
I give up.
865
:Clara Hewson: nah, we can
do it better this time.
866
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah,
with any training it, it takes time.
867
:You get, you get out
what you put in really.
868
:And, but some people unfortunately
do want that quick fix and they're
869
:not prepared to put in there.
870
:The effort and the time.
871
:Clara Hewson: yeah.
872
:And I think as well, I think
that there needs to be a wider
873
:understanding of, you know, muzzles
aren't exclusively for woolly breeds.
874
:Like, they're just not.
875
:There's so many small
dogs, big dogs, you know,
876
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah,
877
:Clara Hewson: elderly dogs absolutely
can benefit from a muzzle if they go into
878
:the vets more or if they've got medical
879
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
definitely,
880
:Clara Hewson: And I
881
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
definitely.
882
:Clara Hewson: Something the UK is not
great at, which other countries are,
883
:like for example, it's the law that all
dogs wear muzzles on public transport.
884
:So
885
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: okay.
886
:Clara Hewson: isn't the same perception
in France, if you see a dog out on
887
:the tube station waiting to get on
a train, there's no thought in that
888
:person's head, oh, that dog's dangerous.
889
:it's not, because it's
just getting on a train.
890
:And I don't
891
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: what the
owner, the owner's just, no, the owner's
892
:just being a responsible dog owner by,
893
:Clara Hewson: exactly.
894
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: yeah.
895
:Clara Hewson: And I don't think
that we should have, you know,
896
:blanket muzzle rules at all.
897
:I just don't think that that's right.
898
:I don't think that's the way
that we should be going about.
899
:Oh, well, the way we can
reduce dog attacks is actually
900
:every dog wears a muzzle.
901
:I think that's so silly.
902
:I think that actually, if the people
that had dogs that were a higher risk.
903
:We're more comfortable using a muzzle
in a variety of different scenarios.
904
:You know, not just, oh, well, when they're
out in public, I'll put a muzzle on.
905
:Okay, but if the risk is in the
home, then let's use it in the home.
906
:That's fine.
907
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.
908
:Clara Hewson: yeah, I think
that dog bites would go down.
909
:And that doesn't involve every dog
in the UK needing to wear a muzzle.
910
:It just involves the right dog
and the right people using a
911
:muzzle in the right context.
912
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.
913
:Fantastic.
914
:We would just like to see a few more
dogs, different dogs in them, really.
915
:Clara Hewson: Yeah.
916
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
up a bit of a trend on, on TikTok.
917
:So this question was thrown in
by by Kelly at Yappily, actually.
918
:So you've had recently the
incredible opportunity to speak
919
:at the Houses of Parliament.
920
:Now I've got to get this right, as
part of the all party Parliamentary
921
:Dog Advisory Welfare Group.
922
:Could you tell us about that experience
and what message you wanted to share
923
:with policymakers and the importance
of muzzles and stuff like that?
924
:Wow.
925
:Clara Hewson: that was so cool.
926
:I have never had an opportunity to do
anything like that before in my life.
927
:I've never even been to the
Houses of Parliament, let alone
928
:been in the Houses of Parliament.
929
:And I was like, whoa, I
can't believe this is my
930
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Wow.
931
:Clara Hewson: Cool.
932
:I
933
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
Pinch me, David.
934
:Pinch me, David.
935
:Clara Hewson: And I was like, I
don't think you're not allowed to
936
:take videos or pictures inside.
937
:Right.
938
:So I was like,
939
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Oh.
940
:Clara Hewson: you can show people,
941
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
Yeah, I won it for the gram.
942
:Clara Hewson: I was like, come on,
this is tick tock where the, but no, it
943
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
What an amazing experience.
944
:Clara Hewson: It was phenomenal to
be invited, to be honest, because I
945
:just think, you know, it's such a,
quote, hot topic at the moment and I
946
:think if momentum is here, and people
are talking about it, and we can
947
:help that continue, and we can move
forward with actually changing the
948
:way that muzzle dogs are perceived.
949
:we should, you know, even if it's
come from the back of something
950
:really awful, maybe we can do
some good on the other side of it.
951
:So that was phenomenal.
952
:And I think they were all so open to,
you know, listening and learning about
953
:appropriate fit and understanding,
you know, why dogs wear muzzles.
954
:Because I think, you know, the average
person, including people, you know,
955
:in parliament, have absolutely no idea
956
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: No,
957
:Clara Hewson: wear muzzles.
958
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: no clay.
959
:Clara Hewson: So, that was a really cool
opportunity to sort of shine a spotlight
960
:on us and what we're doing to help, but
961
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Good.
962
:Clara Hewson: what they can do to help,
which is, you know, change the language
963
:they use, consider, you know, not having
this knee jerk, visceral response to
964
:dogs in muzzles, you know, it's just,
yeah, it was really, really cool.
965
:I loved it.
966
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Good.
967
:Are you going to be
going back or, you know?
968
:Clara Hewson: I've been invited as part of
the app dogs, so they have like a meeting
969
:where they go through different policies
and stuff that's coming up and like,
970
:just like working groups is a good way
971
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yes.
972
:Clara Hewson: And realistically
right now we do not have the time.
973
:I was like, Oh, I really, really
want to, but like, I have a team
974
:of It's all the way in London.
975
:Like I just don't know whether I can.
976
:So we've sort of mentioned potentially
that there is the possibility I could
977
:chip into for things over email.
978
:I already made some
brilliant connections there.
979
:A
980
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
Oh, good.
981
:Clara Hewson: So I followed a few of
them up, you know, sort of bets that are
982
:pioneering for better breeding and to make
sure that, you know, we aren't breeding
983
:dogs that have significant medical
conditions from birth sort of thing.
984
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.
985
:Clara Hewson: I just think maybe
there is something that I can do to
986
:support those people on their mission
as much as they supported me on mine.
987
:So, yeah, that's really.
988
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
Definitely.
989
:Oh, how exciting.
990
:Thank you.
991
:Right, we're going to start wrapping
up this episode in the last sort
992
:of five or so minutes just for
some final questions, et cetera.
993
:So thank you.
994
:So Clara, what's one thing you hope our
listeners take away from this conversation
995
:about muzzles and their importance?
996
:Clara Hewson: Yeah, so number one would be
any dog can benefit from muzzle training.
997
:That is the most simple message I
998
:Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
Absolutely.
999
:Clara Hewson: And then number
two would be there are so many
:
00:41:46,301 --> 00:41:47,681
reasons that dogs wear muzzles.
:
00:41:47,721 --> 00:41:49,601
You don't know, so don't judge.
:
00:41:50,471 --> 00:41:51,011
Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Exactly.
:
00:41:51,071 --> 00:41:51,201
Brilliant.
:
00:41:51,791 --> 00:41:55,901
If you could give one piece of advice to
a dog owner that was feeling uncertain
:
00:41:56,161 --> 00:41:58,221
about muzzle training, what would it be?
:
00:41:58,701 --> 00:42:00,571
Clara Hewson: It would
be find your community.
:
00:42:00,571 --> 00:42:04,461
So find other people who have
experienced the same, you know.
:
00:42:04,621 --> 00:42:08,531
Potential thoughts about the perception
of their dog wearing a muzzle and to
:
00:42:08,531 --> 00:42:12,701
speak to a forestry trainer about it I
think that or us, you know, we're happy
:
00:42:12,701 --> 00:42:17,331
to but I think that Being able to sound
off to someone and who can reassure
:
00:42:17,371 --> 00:42:20,881
you that you are doing what's right
for you and your dog In the scenario
:
00:42:20,941 --> 00:42:24,821
that's so unique to you and your dog And
sometimes I think you just need a bit of
:
00:42:24,821 --> 00:42:27,371
external reassurance that it's not cruel.
:
00:42:27,371 --> 00:42:30,091
It's not mean it's keeping you
safe It's keeping them safe.
:
00:42:30,121 --> 00:42:31,211
It's a great decision
:
00:42:31,961 --> 00:42:32,621
Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
Definitely.
:
00:42:32,981 --> 00:42:33,441
Brilliant.
:
00:42:33,451 --> 00:42:34,191
Thank you.
:
00:42:34,431 --> 00:42:39,101
Clara, thank you so much for
joining me on the Yappy Hour today.
:
00:42:39,331 --> 00:42:43,261
It's been an absolute pleasure, pleasure
to hear your insights and to learn
:
00:42:43,271 --> 00:42:46,911
more about all the incredible work
you're doing with the muzzle movement.
:
00:42:46,931 --> 00:42:53,456
Your Dedication and passion to
de stigmatizing, can't even say
:
00:42:53,456 --> 00:42:58,126
that word, muzzles and promoting
them as a positive life skill
:
00:42:58,606 --> 00:43:00,666
for all dogs is truly inspiring.
:
00:43:01,666 --> 00:43:04,396
The muzzle movement is making
such a huge difference.
:
00:43:05,291 --> 00:43:08,961
Not only helping dog owners
feel more confident, but also in
:
00:43:08,961 --> 00:43:13,361
creating a safer, more understanding
environment for all dogs.
:
00:43:13,791 --> 00:43:16,851
Your work is changing perceptions
and making life better for so
:
00:43:17,101 --> 00:43:18,761
many dogs and their families.
:
00:43:18,789 --> 00:43:21,316
Clara Hewson: Yeah.
:
00:43:21,316 --> 00:43:21,416
very
:
00:43:21,531 --> 00:43:24,571
Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: take
so much away from this conversation.
:
00:43:25,021 --> 00:43:28,441
Clara, how can people find out more
about you and the muzzle movement
:
00:43:28,531 --> 00:43:29,931
if they want to get in touch?
:
00:43:30,171 --> 00:43:30,971
Clara Hewson: Thank you so much.
:
00:43:30,971 --> 00:43:32,031
That was so sweet.
:
00:43:32,481 --> 00:43:34,641
So, yeah, you can find us on social media.
:
00:43:34,711 --> 00:43:38,191
It's the muzzle movement or our
website, the muzzle movement dot com.
:
00:43:38,241 --> 00:43:39,851
So we're super easy to find
:
00:43:40,161 --> 00:43:40,581
Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.
:
00:43:40,881 --> 00:43:42,591
Clara Hewson: unit which
is in the Midlands.
:
00:43:42,601 --> 00:43:44,581
So if you're anywhere
near the Midlands and you
:
00:43:44,781 --> 00:43:45,381
Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
Oh, okay.
:
00:43:45,381 --> 00:43:46,661
I did wonder where you were.
:
00:43:46,731 --> 00:43:48,751
Clara Hewson: Yeah,
well, I'm Leicestershire.
:
00:43:48,911 --> 00:43:49,261
So if that
:
00:43:49,411 --> 00:43:49,921
Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah,
:
00:43:50,501 --> 00:43:53,891
Clara Hewson: people travel
over the place to come and all
:
00:43:53,891 --> 00:43:54,991
the support that we offer here.
:
00:43:54,991 --> 00:43:57,781
It's a team of, you know, professionals.
:
00:43:57,841 --> 00:44:01,811
We can help with any muzzle
related challenges or
:
00:44:01,811 --> 00:44:02,781
struggles that they might have.
:
00:44:02,781 --> 00:44:04,081
So we're more than happy to
:
00:44:04,141 --> 00:44:04,751
Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Perfect.
:
00:44:05,401 --> 00:44:05,881
Perfect.
:
00:44:05,991 --> 00:44:09,141
And that website again is
themusclemovementoneword.
:
00:44:09,191 --> 00:44:09,681
com.
:
00:44:10,011 --> 00:44:12,991
We're gonna finish on two final questions.
:
00:44:13,381 --> 00:44:16,121
Who else do you think we
should invite on this podcast?
:
00:44:16,121 --> 00:44:17,885
I'm sure you know lots of people.
:
00:44:17,885 --> 00:44:19,681
Who do you think we should invite?
:
00:44:20,611 --> 00:44:23,591
Clara Hewson: So the two
businesses that I have helped us
:
00:44:23,601 --> 00:44:25,821
significantly since the beginning.
:
00:44:25,841 --> 00:44:27,821
So there's Tug Enough, who,
:
00:44:27,951 --> 00:44:28,351
Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yes.
:
00:44:28,716 --> 00:44:31,156
Clara Hewson: When we launched,
I was like what we're doing.
:
00:44:32,226 --> 00:44:36,826
And I got a social media manager who
actually also manages Tugging off.
:
00:44:36,856 --> 00:44:39,966
And she was like, you know
what, there is definitely
:
00:44:41,051 --> 00:44:41,561
Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
Synergy here.
:
00:44:42,256 --> 00:44:42,606
Clara Hewson: Yeah.
:
00:44:42,676 --> 00:44:42,856
And
:
00:44:42,861 --> 00:44:43,501
Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah.
:
00:44:43,976 --> 00:44:44,336
Clara Hewson: perfect.
:
00:44:44,336 --> 00:44:45,186
Because I don't know what I'm doing.
:
00:44:46,291 --> 00:44:46,891
Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Wow.
:
00:44:46,891 --> 00:44:49,621
Big, big reveal for our listeners.
:
00:44:49,661 --> 00:44:51,751
Danny from Tug Enough is coming on.
:
00:44:52,041 --> 00:44:53,911
So watch, watch this space.
:
00:44:53,911 --> 00:44:59,181
I'm just chatting with Lara at the
moment and getting, and getting Danny on.
:
00:44:59,181 --> 00:45:02,191
So that's a big reveal for our
listeners that he will be coming on.
:
00:45:02,221 --> 00:45:03,271
I love Tug Enough.
:
00:45:03,381 --> 00:45:04,421
So yeah.
:
00:45:04,641 --> 00:45:04,951
Okay.
:
00:45:04,991 --> 00:45:05,811
Anyone, anyone else?
:
00:45:05,811 --> 00:45:06,831
You said there was two businesses.
:
00:45:07,396 --> 00:45:08,916
Clara Hewson: The other
one was perfect fit.
:
00:45:08,986 --> 00:45:09,496
So,
:
00:45:09,831 --> 00:45:10,391
Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Oh, yes.
:
00:45:11,226 --> 00:45:14,756
Clara Hewson: yeah, we've we've, all the
professional events we've done this year,
:
00:45:14,756 --> 00:45:16,376
I've been like, there you are again.
:
00:45:16,376 --> 00:45:16,726
And
:
00:45:16,806 --> 00:45:19,746
Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
I'd I'd, Nathan how, I'd love to get
:
00:45:19,746 --> 00:45:24,066
a contact for Perfect Fit if someone
can sort of hook, hook a guy up.
:
00:45:24,106 --> 00:45:26,906
Cause I don't, I love, I love
the harnesses and that's all I
:
00:45:26,906 --> 00:45:28,486
recommended again in training.
:
00:45:28,786 --> 00:45:31,496
So yeah, Perfect Fit as
well then, you, you reckon?
:
00:45:31,776 --> 00:45:33,956
Clara Hewson: So Rhi, who does
their social media, don't think
:
00:45:33,956 --> 00:45:34,756
she'll mind me saying that.
:
00:45:34,756 --> 00:45:36,096
So Rhi does their social media.
:
00:45:36,096 --> 00:45:38,805
She's actually got a dog called
Reggie who's testing a prototype
:
00:45:38,805 --> 00:45:40,756
for a new size for us at the moment.
:
00:45:40,766 --> 00:45:40,846
So
:
00:45:41,146 --> 00:45:41,726
Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
Oh, right.
:
00:45:41,726 --> 00:45:42,461
Yeah.
:
00:45:42,606 --> 00:45:44,866
Clara Hewson: they've given us, you
know, some harnesses for some of the
:
00:45:44,866 --> 00:45:47,466
older girls that we've got at the
unit, the, they bring their dogs.
:
00:45:49,116 --> 00:45:52,566
I think they've helped us a lot as well,
like helping us network with suppliers.
:
00:45:52,566 --> 00:45:55,776
They've provided us with some of their
biggest suppliers since we aren't, you
:
00:45:55,776 --> 00:45:59,336
know, in contradiction with the product
they're selling, they've sort of said,
:
00:45:59,376 --> 00:46:02,716
you know, who would love your muscles,
this person who's our biggest customer.
:
00:46:02,896 --> 00:46:03,726
And they have not.
:
00:46:04,056 --> 00:46:08,546
Blinked an eye at sharing that with me
and I just think it's so special that
:
00:46:08,596 --> 00:46:11,306
you know, we're on the same mission
You want dogs to be served better.
:
00:46:11,306 --> 00:46:13,226
So you're happy to share that like most
:
00:46:13,611 --> 00:46:15,981
Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
Yeah, that's, that's what it's
:
00:46:15,981 --> 00:46:18,531
all about there is collaborating
isn't it and helping each other.
:
00:46:18,851 --> 00:46:20,541
No, two great names there.
:
00:46:20,611 --> 00:46:22,601
So yeah, watch this space.
:
00:46:22,681 --> 00:46:24,231
And one final question.
:
00:46:24,311 --> 00:46:28,911
If your dog or any dog could describe
how they feel about their muzzle,
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00:46:28,951 --> 00:46:29,831
what do you think they'd say?
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00:46:29,831 --> 00:46:31,181
What's,
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00:46:32,066 --> 00:46:35,246
Clara Hewson: actually think that you
know, my dogs would probably be like,
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00:46:35,326 --> 00:46:39,731
well, what is it doesn't matter like Yeah,
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00:46:40,161 --> 00:46:41,161
Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
What, you know, what's the big deal?
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00:46:41,331 --> 00:46:42,571
Give me, give me a treat.
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00:46:43,516 --> 00:46:46,196
Clara Hewson: I think we think
muzzles are a big deal but actually
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00:46:46,196 --> 00:46:49,161
the dogs think I'm going for a walk.
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00:46:49,241 --> 00:46:49,681
Cool.
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00:46:50,906 --> 00:46:51,376
Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour: Yeah,
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00:46:51,821 --> 00:46:54,461
Clara Hewson: I, yeah, I don't think
that he thinks mind blowing things.
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00:46:54,461 --> 00:46:55,381
I think he's very lucky.
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00:46:55,381 --> 00:46:57,721
He's had a great muzzle from the offset.
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00:46:57,941 --> 00:47:00,961
It's never impeded his ability to
do anything that he wants to do.
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00:47:01,261 --> 00:47:03,881
And he thinks, that is part of
my normal walking equipment.
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00:47:03,881 --> 00:47:04,441
Let's go!
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00:47:05,316 --> 00:47:06,096
Nathan Dunleavy - The Yappy Hour:
I like that.
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00:47:06,236 --> 00:47:07,696
To them, it's a non event.
:
00:47:07,736 --> 00:47:12,206
It's just part of the equipment,
like a harness, a lead or collar.
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00:47:12,296 --> 00:47:14,206
Like, let's just get, let's just go.
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00:47:14,876 --> 00:47:15,136
Brilliant.
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00:47:15,436 --> 00:47:17,946
Clara, thank you so much
for being here today.
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00:47:17,946 --> 00:47:22,526
I know how busy you are and how
busy it is at the Muzzle Movement.
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00:47:22,776 --> 00:47:28,376
Thank you to our listeners for tuning
in and I'll see you next time on
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00:47:28,406 --> 00:47:31,706
the Yappy Hour, powered by Yappily.
:
00:47:32,666 --> 00:47:33,176
Bye
:
00:47:35,771 --> 00:47:36,386
bye.
