![]() By now your dog should be comfortable sticking its snout inside, so let him or her do that. Here’s the big test: fastening the muzzle onto your dog’s snout. Soon your dog will associate the sound of the fastener with a treat. Then close the fastener, and give a treat. This step is similar to Step 1: show your dog the muzzle, open the fastener, and give a treat. Before you can fasten the muzzle on your dog, you must first get your dog used to the sound of it. At this stage it’s very important to remember not to push the muzzle onto your dog’s snout, but to let him or her go in voluntarily. Each time, try to encourage your dog to stay inside longer than before. Let your dog poke its snout inside to find the treat, and then take the muzzle away before your dog finishes eating the treats and pulls his or her head out. Put some small treats inside, or something your dog can lick, like peanut butter or spreadable cheese. After a few days of this step, move on to the next: training your dog to put its snout inside the muzzle. By repeating this exercise, the dog will soon be very excited when seeing the muzzle. When your dog sees it, hand out a treat, and then hide it again. Begin by hiding the muzzle behind your back, then showing the muzzle to your dog. When you start again, pick up from an earlier step, and go slowly to make sure your dog is comfortable. If at any point your dog gets nervous, stop the training for the day. Use the following steps to introduce your dog to the muzzle. This way your dog will learn not to be afraid of the muzzle your dog might come to think it’s a fun game you play. As with any kind of training, using treats as a reward for learning will be a big help. With the careful, patient training, you can acclimate your dog to wearing a muzzle for those short periods. Sleeve-type muzzles, with clever designs like duck bills or grinning teeth, certainly look less severe than the basket muzzle, but are not as effective long-term. It should only be worn for very short periods, and removed immediately if the dog is having difficulty breathing or is overheated. A mesh muzzle is more lightweight and therefore easy to carry, but much more restrictive for the dog. Also, the openings will come in very handy while you’re training your dog. While it might look barbaric, a basket style muzzle is best, as it will still allow your dog to open its mouth, pant if necessary, and drink water. It is not a solution for excessive chewing, barking, or other aggressive behavior.Įven though it is to be worn temporarily, your dog will still need to get used to wearing a muzzle, because it will be restrictive. A muzzle will also not guarantee your dog’s safety around other dogs, or at the dog park. That will only make the dog more stressed, and completely negate the point of the muzzle. At the same time, if your dog tends to bite children, don’t put on the muzzle and allow children to pet your dog. ![]() It should never be used as punishment, but only for the dog’s own protection. If your dog is nervous around other dogs, other people, small children, etc., a muzzle is one way to help your dog relax, and most importantly, not to bite anyone.Ī muzzle is merely a safety measure, to be used in specific situations and for only short periods of time–minutes at most. Dogs will sometimes bite in stressful situations kind of like how a toddler “acts out.” These situations can include something as traumatic as a trip to the vet, or something more routine, like going for a walk.
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