Muzzle Your Dog
No shame in the muzzle! Muzzle conditioning is an important step in ensuring the safety of both your dog and those around them. It can also be used to help dogs who are anxious or uncomfortable with having their muzzle touched. Here is a step-by-step guide for muzzle conditioning your dog:
Wear it proudly and who cares what anyone else thinks!
Many people fear going out in public, even a walk in the neighborhood. Don’t be afraid! And don’t restrict your dog’s opportunity for progress.
When the time comes in your training you must get into the scenarios! The dog and you both need to have the engagement and exercise to work together to address social issues.
Your dog may never make friends, but that’s ok. Having a muzzle on gives many owners confidence to know nothing bad can happen if a dog or person catches them by surprise and it gives them opportunities to practice the skills a trainer is teaching them.
If your dog has situational risks wear a muzzle to work through advancements. At home when company comes over, the beach, mountain trail or right on into the local retailer. Go for it!
And don’t be in a hurry to not use it.
Build many successes and see your dog’s and your own energy and confidence shift in positive ways.
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Muzzle conditioning takes time. But it can be so effective that your dog gets excited to wear it because it means going out to do something fun WITH you. Take your time conditioning the muzzle and associate it with good things!
Order Your Muzzle — See My Link Tree
Your goal is to have your dog put his own face into the muzzle on command.
The process of muzzle conditioning:
Start by simply introducing your dog to the muzzle. Allow them to sniff and investigate it on their own terms. Reward them with treats for any positive interaction with the muzzle. Bring it out often throughout the day with no attempt to put it on. Just offer your dog a reward.
Use the muzzle as your dog’s food bowl. Cup the bowl in your muzzle in your hand preventing the food from falling out and let your dog stick their snout into the “bowl” to get the food. Make no attempt to fasten the straps yet for a couple of days.
After a couple of days, begin to clip straps in place, give your dog a high-value reward and offer a meal portion in the muzzle. Repeat for 4-5 portions of their meal. If they disengage, let them, but do no offer their food in any other format.
Gradually increase the amount of time the muzzle is clipped around their head and you are offering high-value treats. Continue to feed portions of their meal via the muzzle.
Smear peanut butter or cream cheese on the muzzle and clip it on your dog. Let them lick and enjoy the tasty treat while wearing the muzzle.
Begin to walk your dog with the muzzle on, starting with short distances and gradually increasing the length of the walk. Reward them with high-value treats for positive behavior. Thing beef liver or even something like cheez-whiz that will fit through the basket.
Practice having your dog wear the muzzle for short periods of time throughout the day, such as during training sessions or while you are at home.
Lastly, desensitize your dog to wearing the muzzle by introducing different stimuli such as loud noises, unfamiliar people or animals, and different environments.
Make getting out the muzzle a positive association of treats and outings or playtime.
Remember to always reward your dog for positive behavior and to take it slow. Muzzle conditioning can take time and patience, but with consistency and positive reinforcement, your dog will eventually learn to be comfortable wearing a muzzle.
It’s a process. He won’t understand it at first. He may hate it at first. But your effort will pay off.