called because it resembles a muzzle used on animals, with a flexible pad which straps over the mouth, and sometimes also around the cheeks and chin. Muzzle gags have a strong psychological effect on some people, because of the association of being restrained in a way generally associated with animals. Restricting movement of the jaw and covering the cheeks can both increase the efficiency of a gag. It is difficult to draw the line between a muzzle gag and a head harness with an attached gag. Muzzle gags are probably one of the oldest gags and illustrations showing muzzle-like gag devices such as scold's bridles have been observed from early colonial times. A muzzle gag may also have an attached posture collar and may also be fitted with an integrated pecker gag. Pacifier A pacifier, or 'dummy' is by design a gag without any alteration. It can be used to quiet a victim, and even strapped in place to prevent removal. Pacifiers are orthodontic and designed to be placed in the mouth. They are very comfortable and soft, and remove the violent connotations of a gag. The wearer's mouth is essentially being plugged. Panel A panel gag is similar to a muzzle gag, except it lacks a head harness. Pecker A pecker or penis gag is a gag that has a bulge resembling a phallus (erect penis) or a nipple that is placed into the mouth to enable the wearer to suck on it in a manner similar to an adult pacifier. The use of a phallic shape is intended to give it an erotic connotation, but it may be a large knob — similar to a ball gag — or may be inflatable. The pecker gag may be wide and flat and large enough almost to fill the mouth, intended to depress the tongue. To keep the gag in the mouth, it is usually paired with a ring, muzzle or panel gag attached to a strap that buckles behind the head. Ring A ring gag is similar to a ball gag, except that the ball is replaced by a hollow ring. The ring reduces the risk of choking, and allows access to the mouth. Oral sex may be performed if the ring is big enough. A ring gag will cause the subject to drool uncontrollably, this often being the purpose of the gag. Rope A rope gag consists of