At this stage, you should be taking the muzzle off straight away and giving your dog a reward as soon as you take it off, too. Once your dog is happy to have the muzzle on with the straps completely fastened, start leaving it on for longer periods. Give them a reward while they're wearing it so that it becomes a good thing for them.
Try to vary when and where you put the muzzle on your dog but always make sure it is a positive experience. You can gradually build up the time the muzzle is on for and start popping your dog on the lead and walking around the house with the muzzle on.
When your dog is used to the muzzle and happy with it, you should be able to pop your dog's muzzle on and go out for walks. Just like a dog's crate , a muzzle should never be used as punishment. You want them to associate their muzzle with positive experiences so they are OK with wearing it. Never rush your dog into wearing their muzzle — they need to get used to it in their own time. Sometimes it's not possible to avoid your dog wearing a muzzle.
If your dog does need to wear one before they are fully trained for safety reasons, be aware that this can set them back in muzzle training. One thing that can help with this is using a different kind of muzzle — so if you use a Baskerville muzzle at home, ask the vet to use a nylon one. This means that at least your dog won't remember the type of muzzle you use as part of a stressful experience.
Once they are trained, if your dog only needs to wear their muzzle at the vets, make sure you put the muzzle on before they enter the vet — ideally before leaving the house. If you try to put it on when you get there they may get stressed and not want to wear it at all.
If your dog tends to bark a lot, there is usually a reason. Neither should a muzzle be used to stop your dog chewing in the house. 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. A muzzle will only prevent your dog being able to bite; but a dog wearing a muzzle can still cause injury.
Muzzles should NOT be used for things like stopping your dog from barking, chewing, or eating things off the ground or for a puppy who is play biting. Work with a trainer for tips on how to deal with those issues. Automated page speed optimizations for fast site performance. Skip to content To most people, muzzles provoke images of lunging and snarling aggressive dogs. Be Responsible If your dog already has a bite history, whether with people or dogs, your first step should be muzzle conditioning your dog.
Things to remember when using a muzzle: Proper fit of the muzzle is very important! Make sure you purchase the right size and style muzzle for your dog.
It should be well-fitted and comfortable for your dog, allowing for panting and ideally drinking water and eating treats.
Contact the manufacturer directly for assistance in sizing your dog. I recommend using a basket type muzzle such as Jafco or Baskerville brand muzzles. Create a positive association with your dog to their muzzle.
Go slow and introduce it in a fun way. Make it a game! Mesh muzzles aka grooming muzzles should not be used except for extremely short periods of time or in an emergency. Always use a muzzle in combination with training. So, the dog has enough space for necessary functions like barking and panting. Depending on the design, some make it possible for dogs to drink water and pick up treats while muzzled.
This type is ideal for most situations. Photo by TrendHunter. Sleeve muzzles, also known as tube muzzles, are made of soft materials and go around the snout without covering the nose. This type is not a good option for keeping your dog comfortably muzzled because it prevents them from opening their mouths, which makes even panting difficult. These are also often used by groomers who keep them on only for short periods of time.
Photo by Wilfredor. These muzzles are typically made of nylon mesh and resemble masks that cover the entire head. Breeds that need this type of muzzle include bulldogs, boxers, and pugs.
There are many other types of muzzles, but most are hybrids or derivatives of the main types listed above. Photo by Jan Jablunka. Using an ill-fitting muzzle is not only unsafe but also cruel.
Finding the right size is crucial to using this tool effectively while keeping your dog comfortable. Otherwise, they might become fearful and even more aggressive when they finally wear one. For proper muzzle conditioning, start them young and take the following steps:. Your dog will naturally be curious, and maybe even suspicious, of anything new.
When you get a muzzle, allow them to examine it first.
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