Stress-Free Muzzle Training
Muzzle training has many benefits. From preventing consumption of inappropriate objects to vet visits. Teach your dog to love their muzzle!
Finding the Right Muzzle
Your dog’s muzzle should allow them to…
- Drink
- Pant
- Eat
Our Top Muzzle Picks:
- Baskerville Ultra Muzzle – Average sized muzzles
- Trust Your Dog Muzzle – Colorful design options, custom and standard sizes
- BUMAS Muzzle – Colorful design options, custom and standard sizes
- Morrco Custom Made Muzzle – Great for flatter muzzles
Part 1: Start training without the muzzle
Teach your dog to willingly stick their nose in a different item. This will prevent your dog from associating the muzzle with any frustration related to learning the new skill. Pick an item that is wide and shallow enough for them to eat treats out of.
01
Feed from the item
- Put the item behind your back to set a treat in it
- Present the item resting on your knee – think “knuckles on knee”
- Repeat until your dog is expecting to find a treat in it
02
Capture the behavior
- Put the item behind your back again, but this time do not fill it
- Rest it in the same position on your knee
- When she sticks her nose in looking for a treat, say “yes” and deliver a treat from your hand
You just captured the behavior! Your dog is learning to stick her nose in items you present on your knee
Part 2: Introduce the Muzzle
This part is easy! Repeat step #2 with the muzzle. Your dog already knows how to play the game. Remember, put it behind your back then rest it on your knee – think “knuckles on knee”
Part 3: Keeping the Muzzle On
Set the muzzle on your knee. Instead of saying “yes” right when she puts her nose in, wait 1 second. Begin to increase the time she holds her nose in slowly.
Count in your head and randomize the length of time:
- 1 Mississippi, “yes”, deliver treat
- 2 Mississippi, “yes”, deliver treat
- 3 Mississippi, “yes”, deliver treat
- 1 Mississippi, “yes”, deliver treat
- 3 Mississippi, “yes”, deliver treat
- 1 Mississippi, “yes”, deliver treat
Part 4: Adding the Straps
- Clip the strap very loosely off of your dog
- Set the muzzle on your knee
- When she puts her head in the muzzle slightly lift up the strap in front of her face
- Say “yes” when it is in front of her face
- Deliver a treat from your hand
- When she is very comfortable with the movement of the strap, slowly raise difficulty by lifting the strap further over her head before saying “yes”
Part 5: Breaking the Muzzle in
Now is the time to wear the muzzle for periods of time. Make it fun!
- Use lots of squeezy/liquid treats
- Practice walking inside, rewarding every 2-3 steps
Do anything your individual dog finds fun! Start with shorter amounts of time, 3-8 minutes for example
