Again, there will be a reason for this which needs to be sorted to help your dog. If they do this when they are alone, they might have separation anxiety. Reward-based training is the most effective way of training your dog. Read our vets' advice on positive training. A dog's body language can tell us a lot about how they are feeling. Check out our advice on canine body language. We've got loads of tasty treats and toys you can use to reward your dog with when you train them in our shop.
Donate Menu. Get help. Find us. Muzzle training. How to muzzle train your dog. It can be difficult for dogs to get used to wearing a muzzle if they haven't before, but there are lots of dogs who need muzzles. Which muzzle should I get for my dog? How to fit a muzzle on my dog It's really important to get the right size muzzle for your dog so they aren't uncomfortable.
How to train my dog to wear a muzzle Once you've got a muzzle that's the correct size for your dog, you'll need to start reward-based training to get them used to wearing it. Step one — get them used to the muzzle itself The first thing you'll need to do is get your dog used to the muzzle itself.
Step two — getting their nose in the muzzle Once your dog is happy with the muzzle being around, you can start to train them to put their nose in it. Step three — holding the straps Now that your dog is happy to put their nose inside the muzzle, you can start to move the straps behind their ears.
If something goes wrong or if a boundary is crossed unknowingly, the muzzle will prevent your dog from biting, giving you peace of mind in a training class or similar situation.
Muzzles are also a valuable safety tool to employ when introducing another species to your dog during a desensitization program. Traveling abroad with your dog is still another reason for teaching your dog to love a muzzle. A ruined vacation might be in your future if you travel with your dog and have not taught her to enjoy wearing a muzzle.
France, for instance, requires muzzles for larger dogs. There are places right here in the United States where muzzles are now required. More and more cities are requiring breeds like pit bulls to wear a muzzle in public. Malden, Massachusetts, and Jefferson City, Missouri, have joined the ranks of cities that require pit bulls to wear muzzles, for example.
These rules may not seem fair, but they are better than an outright ban on a breed like in Denver, Colorado, where pit bull and pit-bull-types are outlawed in the city. Gaining in popularity is the dog sport of dog racing. Traditionally, this has been a sport for sight hounds, but now it's open to all breeds that love to run. Muzzles are required! Muzzles can be used as a fun food toy. Use a basket muzzle as a puzzle by letting your dog figure out how to get treats from inside the muzzle, or ask your dog to use her tongue to lick up treats from the hole in the front of a soft, mesh muzzle!
Before discussing or describing the different types of muzzles, it's important to understand what a well-fitted muzzle looks like. The final fit for your dog should come after you have done basic training.
It's not important in the early stages of training that the muzzle fit perfectly, only that your dog learns to love to put her face into it willingly.
When you are ready to size the muzzle, the first rule for a good fit is that the muzzle be snug, but not tight. The muzzle should also allow your dog to open her mouth, but it should prevent her from opening it all the way. Having several adjustments from which to choose is important.
Muzzles for larger dogs may have a strap that travels from the top of the head to the top of the basket to hold it in place; the strap should have its own adjustment. Most muzzle companies will have guidelines for sizing the correct fit.
However, if there is a store or outlet where you can take your friendly dog or puppy to be sized for the best fit, that is even better. The most common muzzles are the basket-types often known as a Greyhound muzzle and the soft-mesh muzzles. Basket muzzles are bulkier, but have advantages over most other muzzles. It's easy to feed dogs through the slots of a basket muzzle, and basket muzzles allow dogs to pant sweat and drink.
Basket muzzles are made from plastic or metal, and sometimes a combination of both. There are also basket muzzles with combinations of wire and leather, as well as and leather-only versions. For general long-term wear, this type of muzzle is the safest, allowing dogs to pant and preventing bites. Mesh-type muzzles are ideal for quick use, such as at the vet, and are easier to transport due to their lightweight design.
They can be folded easily and tossed into a bag or pocket. Since soft mesh muzzles don't allow panting, and because they keep a dog's mouth closed more making treat delivery more difficult , these muzzles should be considered for short-term use only. A softie muzzle is another option preferred by some trainers. These muzzles offer a comfortable fit, one that also allows dogs to pant. However, some reports have warned about the possibility of dogs being able to bite through the soft sides.
In the case of severe aggression, the softie muzzle could defeat the original purpose in using a muzzle. Another option, while not very effective, is certainly cute. The quack-duck-billed muzzle does a wonderful job removing some of the negative associations with muzzles, but has a wide enough opening that a dog could still bite. It might be fun for training a dog to wear a muzzle, though and it would keep dog owners laughing!
Consider the duck-billed muzzle as a transition muzzle while you work toward the real thing. Avoid using Gentle Leaders or other head halters as substitutes for a muzzle, as they are not muzzles and should not be used in place of one. Head halters may partially close a dog's mouth, but will not prevent bites. Head halters are also reliant on the handler being able to hold the dog's head up with the leash—something that is not always practical with a large or powerful dog or for a person of small stature.
Overall, head halters do not provide the same level of control or safety as a muzzle. Think about muzzle training as a two-step process. The first step is getting your dog comfortable placing her face in the muzzle. When used properly, a well-fitting muzzle should never cause your dog any pain or discomfort. While your pup may not love the first time she wears a muzzle, basic positive reinforcement training can help her get used to her fancy new head gear.
While our ideas surrounding muzzles may be misguided, remember every animal is a unique individual. Together, we can break down these potentially harmful stereotypes and start seeing the dogs behind muzzles for the amazing pets they are. Note: Gentle leaders are not muzzles. A dog can open his or her mouth fully even when using a gentle leader. If you found this article helpful, sign up for AHS email , where we provide expert advice to keep pets and their people happy and healthy.
The truth behind dogs in muzzles. There is a risk of biting due to a threatening situation There may be specific situations that upset or stress your dog, such as examinations at the veterinarian.
During grooming sessions When properly desensitized with handling exercises it helps to start in puppyhood , most dogs will tolerate or even enjoy grooming procedures like bathing or nail trimming.
A muzzle is only meant to be used for short periods of time, and only when your dog is supervised. Behavioral problems like barking and chewing are, by their nature, ongoing issues, so a muzzle, a tool meant for temporary and short-term use, is not a solution. What Are the Different Types of Muzzles? Homemade muzzle When there are no other options available, but you need to muzzle your dog, such as in an emergency or when your dog has been injured, you can make a muzzle from items you have at hand.
Let him sniff the muzzle. Give a treat. Repeat a few times. Touch his nose with the muzzle. Repeat until he indicates that the muzzle looks interesting in a good way. Hold the muzzle with one hand and a treat with the other hand, so he needs to put his nose inside the muzzle to get the treat.
Repeat until this step is no big deal. Gently slip the muzzle onto his nose and give him a treat. Remove the muzzle immediately. Put on the muzzle and fasten the buckle. Remove immediately. Put on the muzzle, fasten it, and count slowly to five. Remove the muzzle. Each time you put on the muzzle, gradually increase the time the muzzle is on.
Hold his collar and give treats. Tips for Responsible Dog Owners This e-book is a great resource for anyone who's considering dog ownership or already owns a dog. Download for tips on how to be the best dog owner you can be. AKC Privacy Policy. Founded in , the not-for-profit AKC is the recognized and trusted expert in breed, health, and training information for all dogs.
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