@LuvShepherds, the secondary vet is GSD phobic; the primary vet (who owns the practice) is simply wonderful. Dunno if there's a fear free vet nearby, but if the primary relocated (or I did), I'd find one. In addition to good clinical skills, the primary knows how to read and respond to reactive dogs which Rachel was when I got her. She's adored him from her first appt, so I'm not anxious to change at the moment.
I'd brought Rachel in during an emergent situation (possible bloat which, thankfully, turned out to be just a bad case of gas). Primary vet was booked solid, so we saw the secondary vet who was clearly nervous. (Should have paid closer attention to that, but I didn't; my bad.) While checking her abdomen, he evidently pressed too hard or something and Rachel objected by swinging her head around. No teeth, not even a curled lip
and I blocked the move, but it scared him witless. So he took her in "the back" where they put a muzzle on her (without asking) and it took 2 add'l techs trying to hold her still for a blood draw. The commotion (Rachel's freely expresses her opinions even when muzzled) pulled me and the head vet into the back. I.was.furious.
After an, uh, intensely whispered discussion, we agreed that the head vet would take over which he did. Got the blood, x-rays and sent us home with fluids and something to ease her belly. Later, a private but frank discussion with the head vet resulted in the agreement that (a) nobody takes my dog "in back" without me, (b) I do all the restraint which only entails my hand on her shoulder blades as she'll stand like a rock for me, and (c) muzzling, which
only I do, and only during blood draws/injections. That note is in her chart now. Sorry for the dither; I'm still pissed about that episode and it was over a year ago.
Back on Topic. I think we sometimes projectively anthropomorphize stuff like crates (jail) and muzzles (Hannibal Lector). But it really depends on how we introduce things and train them for it. You've clearly done a good job if he's relaxing in the muzzle. Rachel dances with excitement when I pull out her muzzle because it means a car ride, treats, visits with one of her favorite people and a stop for chicken nuggets on the way home.