Fitting the muzzle on your dog

The nosepiece should rest just below your dog's eyes

Put the muzzle on your dog and then:

• Pull the muzzle out and down

• Pull the muzzle out and up         

If it comes off, it is either:

• Too loose because straps are not tight enough, OR

• Too big for the dog.

The muzzle should fit comfortably and allow your dog to pant, bark and drink (be sure to provide a deep enough water bowl/bucket). It is normal for your dog to try to remove the muzzle if he is not used to wearing it. Follow the instructions below to help him acclimate to his muzzle.

If the size is incorrect, contact us

 

Muzzle Do's and Don'ts

Do teach your dog to wear to be comfortable wearing a muzzle using rewards and lots of patience. This will help your dog to relax while wearing the muzzle and not try to get it off. http://www.petexpertise.com/dog-training-article-teaching-your-dog-to-wear-a-muzzle.html

Do make sure that your dog's muzzle fits properly and is secure and allows for panting if you are using it for more than a few minutes at a time.

Do use the muzzle as a safety aid for your dog's fear or aggression training program. Using a well qualified, positive trainer is the best way to go!

Don't have your dog wear a muzzle to "fix" a fear or aggression problem. Using the muzzle this way could make the problem worse. Behavioral work that teaches your dog to be comfortable around what he is upset about while using a muzzle as a safety measure is the most effective way to help your dog.

Don't leave a muzzle on your dog while unattended. Your dog could scratch at it to try to get it off and injure himself.

Don't trust a muzzle completely as dogs can be amazing Houdinis at the most inopportune moments! A back up plan such as a leash is always a good idea.

Don't use a muzzle as a replacement for a crate and other prevention methods to stop destructive chewing when you are not there to supervise. This could result in your dog injuring himself trying to get the muzzle off or in other behavioral problems due to frustration.

Don't use a muzzle as a way to get dogs to stop fighting with each other. Dogs can still fight while muzzled and injure themselves and could make the behavioral problem worse. It's great to use a muzzle as a safety measure together with behavioral modification to help your dog's like each other.

Don't use a tube-style muzzle that restricts your dog from panting for more than a few minutes at a time. Dogs can overheat very easily. A better option, is a basket-type muzzle.

Don't muzzle your dog for off-leash play unless you are preventing your dog from eating objects and are using it as a safety back up for that. If your dog has a fear or aggression problem, a muzzle can be a helpful safety measure, but you should also keep him leashed so that you can supervise interactions.

 

Teaching Your Dog to Enjoy Wearing His/Her Muzzle

Show your dog the muzzle and then feed your dog a treat. Repeat until your dog is excited to see the muzzle appear.

Then put a treat in the muzzle. The "game" is for the dog to reach her nose into the muzzle to get the goodie.

Once your dog is eagerly shoving her nose into the muzzle to get the yummy scrumptious treat, smear some peanut butter inside the muzzle, and while she is licking, fasten the muzzle loosely. Continue to feed treats through a hole in the muzzle (Easy Cheese works well for this)

Practice having her wear the muzzle on for 2-3 minutes and feeding treats and then taking it off and ignoring her for a few minutes. Do this several times per day. Gradually extend the time she wears the muzzle until she is comfortable wearing if for 30 minutes. Only take the muzzle off when she is calm (always!).

If your dog tries to paw or scratch the muzzle off you can redirect her attention and then offer her a treat or if it doesn’t look like she is doing any damage or is will get the muzzle off, you can ignore it. Be sure to reward her when she stops and is calm. Usually this goes best if you have taught her to like the muzzle by going slowly and using lots of treats.

To further help your dog make a positive association to the muzzle, put the muzzle on to do things that she enjoys like taking her for a walk!

Muzzle Training Video: