It’s true that the majority of dogs are quick learners, however, some take time. But gradually they obey their pet parents’ commands. Furthermore, it might be hard to train a dog to wear a muzzle, but if you will train him patiently he will listen to you.
Here, you will get the answer to your question, about how to muzzle train a dog. Along with the steps, we have also jotted down a few advanced tips which will help you to give proper muzzle training to your dog.
Let’s just quickly dig in to explore the training steps and advanced tips.
Contents
How to Muzzle Train Your Dog?
It’s very important to buy the correct muzzle for your dog. This includes good quality material, size, and comfort. So, that when your dog puts his head inside, he doesn’t suffocate himself. After finding an appropriate muzzle, the next step is to train him to get used to the muzzle.
For that, we have jotted down simple training tips, which will help you muzzle-train your dog. As Per pdsa “Start with gaps close to the entrance, then gradually move the treats further into the muzzle until your dog is happy to take one from the end.” Let’s find out the easy training tips, to execute it with your pup.
Introduce the Muzzle
The first step is to introduce a muzzle to your dog by offering him a treat. Make sure you are putting the treat in the muzzle so that when he comes to eat it, he sees the muzzle. Repeat this exercise again and again until he starts noticing the muzzle. The goal is to get your dog’s attention in a way that whenever he sees the muzzles, he thinks he’ll get a treat. So, that he’ll willingly come closer to the muzzle, and put his head inside to eat the treat.
Make Your Dog Comfortable
The next step is to make your dog comfortable with a muzzle on. Hold the muzzle in your hand and command your dog to put his head inside the muzzle. Once he agrees to put his head inside the muzzle, offer him a treat, and let him grab it through the muzzle.
In this way, you are making him comfortable to get used to the muzzle. Repeat this method till he gets totally comfortable with the muzzle, and without giving any command he gets ready to place his mouth inside the muzzle.
Hold the Muzzle
The next step is to hold the muzzle strap behind his ears and offer him a treat to divert his mind. Hold the straps for a few seconds, so that he gets comfortable with the strap behind his ears. If he shakes off his head and is not willing to wear the muzzle, don’t give up, wait for a while with patience. Train him slowly and without forcing him, eventually, he will get settled down with the muzzle and the straps.
Fasten the Muzzle
After introducing your dog to the muzzle, and observing that he is comfortable with the muzzle, and the muzzle strap. Now the next step is to fasten the muzzle and make sure you don’t make it too tight. This is because you can suffocate your dog.
Once you have fastened the muzzle, let your dog be comfortable with the muzzle and let him breathe with a muzzle on. Allow him to take a step forward and backward while wearing the muzzle. In this way, you can make sure that he is breathing easily and not suffocating his breath.
Keep Practicing
Once your dog learns to wear the muzzle and is comfortable with it, remember, do not stop the habit of wearing the muzzle. Even if you put a muzzle on an occasional visit and places. But it’s important to appreciate him and shower treats on his learning behavior, this will keep him motivated, and will not get cranky to wear it if you put a muzzle after a long period of time.
Additional Tips for Proper Muzzle Training
According to Bettersea “Muzzle training should take place over a series of short sessions, ideally over a period of at least a few days, taking care to make sure your dog associates the muzzle with fun and positive situations.” Here, we have jotted down a few additional tips for proper muzzle training for your dog.
- During the training, try to be slow and calm, and give time to your furry pal to adapt to what exactly the muzzle is all about. So, don’t be in rush, take a break and slowly train him.
- Don’t keep the muzzle for a longer period of time. Like try with 2-5 minutes first, and when your dog is comfortable wearing it, you can extend the time.
- The average limit to keeping a muzzle on your dog’s face is around 10-15 minutes.
- If you are using a muzzle only on specific place visits, make sure your dog gets comfortable and is in a relaxed position. That time you can open it.
- Use a muzzle that gives comfort to your pup. So, always opt for such muzzle texture, which will not suffocate your pup and will be ready to wear it.
- If your dog is used to muzzling and doesn’t get cranky. This doesn’t mean that you will take your dog to crowded or overcrowded places.
- The muzzle tool helps to prevent your dog from chewing, licking, biting, etc. But that doesn’t mean you will use this for correcting your dog’s behavior or giving punishment so that he gets the use of the muzzle.
Keep all these points in mind and train your pup. If you follow our tips and training guide, then surely you will easily train your dog, and he will not get aggressive or cranky during the training. This is because if you take care of his concern, he will grab your command easily.
FAQs
What is the fastest way to muzzle train a dog?
One of the fastest ways to muzzle train a dog is by offering them their favorite treat or food. All you need to do is keep the treat near the muzzle and let them take it through the muzzle. In this way, they will recognize the muzzle. Repeat this exercise regularly and then introduce the muzzle to your dog, he won’t take much time in wearing it.
Is muzzle training good for dogs?
Yes, muzzle training is good for dogs. This is because it helps the pet parent’s to take their dog to crowded places and can socialize easily. In fact, if there are other pets then your dog can socialize with them, and you don’t have to worry about it.
Can a dog still bite through a muzzle?
Well, yes, there is a high possibility that your dog may bite through a muzzle. This is because a muzzle only helps to reduce the risk of biting, but doesn’t guarantee that your dog won’t bite it. So, even if your dog is wearing a muzzle you should be alert, sometimes they succeed in freeing their mouth from the muzzle.
How do you muzzle train an aggressive dog?
One thing you can do is grab the attention of an aggressive dog. By diverting his mind towards a treat or carrying out any energetic physical activity. For instance, put a treat near the muzzle, and let him watch and observe. Repeat this regularly, and then try to put a muzzle on his face. In this way, you can make your aggressive dog get used to the muzzle, and he will be ready to wear it.
Well, It’s a Wrap!
It’s important to be very careful when muzzling your dog. If not properly put their mouth inside the muzzle, they can struggle while breathing and feel suffocated.
Confidently, we were able to jot down the easy steps to muzzle train a dog. Refer to our training steps and advanced tips for proper muzzle training. So, that your dog easily gets comfortable with the muzzle and feels comfortable while wearing the muzzle.
Happy training period!
Reference:
- Muzzle choices. (2022, July 25). Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/riney-canine-health-center/health-info/muzzle-choices
- Owner reports on the use of muzzles and their effects on dogs: an online survey. (n.d.). Retrieved December 19, 2022, from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2020.07.006
- An anti-barking muzzle for dogs and its short-term effects on behaviour and saliva cortisol concentrations. (n.d.). Retrieved December 19, 2022, from https://doi.org/10.1016/S0168-1591(03)00133-3
When it comes to dogs, Julia ignores nothing. Being an animal behaviorist, dog trainer and a dog parent she knows exactly how even a tiny change in a dog’s surroundings and diet can leave dogs disturbed for a longer duration. Hence, she always makes sure to review for us only the best products for dogs out there.
