Muzzle Training Resources

Muzzles can be used for much more than dogs who are labeled "aggressive". 

‍Excitable friendly dogs may get extra mouthy when they play with their friends. Muzzles keep them and their friends safe from accidents.

‍Opportunistic dogs may struggle with an eating disorder called "Pica" where they eat things that aren't food, posing a health and safety risk to them and a significant vet bill for you. Muzzles keep them from eating things that could hurt them.

‍Nervous dogs may get uncomfortable when strangers get too close, so they need a wide birth. Muzzles are a clear sign for strangers to be aware of the dog and not to push boundaries.

So Many Reasons Why a Dog Might Wear a Muzzle!

Many dogs get uncomfortable at the vet or groomer's, and resort to using their mouth to make their boundaries known. Muzzles keep the dogs and their professionals safe.

When introducing new dogs, even friendly ones, muzzles keep both dogs and humans safe in the event that a dog meets their singular mortal enemy and starts an unexpected fight.

And of course, reactive dogs with big feelings about their triggers may be a bite risk, whether they have simply "threatened" to use their teeth or have a history of knowing how. Muzzles keep them safe and help to prevent injuries, both for them and the others around them. They keep dogs from getting in trouble with the law and literally save lives.

All of these types of dogs, and still others, will benefit immensely from being trained and conditioned to wearing a muzzle. Muzzles are for every dog!

Want to Prepare Your Dog for their New Muzzle Before it Arrives?

Unfortunately, very few dogs will be okay with having an unknown foreign object suddenly put over their mouth. Putting a muzzle on a dog right away, without introducing it to them slowly, positively, and at their pace, will cause them tons of discomfort, negative feelings regarding wearing the muzzle, and causes a breach of trust between you and your canine companion. We very much do not encourage this!

Fortunately, there's a ton of ways to teach your dog to LOVE wearing their muzzle, and you simply need time, treats, and some patience!

Our favorite way to introduce muzzle training actually isn't with a muzzle at all. You can start right away, with a large plastic cup or tub (such as an empty yogurt tub), one that your dog's whole snout will fit into. You can cut the bottom out of the tub (or cut a treat sized hole in it), and then lure your dog through the tub with a yummy treat so that he gets used to putting his nose in it. You don't have to give him a command for it yet, just lure him into it and give him treats and lots of praise for putting his snoot into the cup. Practice several times daily, until he starts to offer putting his nose into the cup without you even asking him into it, since he knows it gets him treats!

This is when you can give it a verbal cue; "Muzzle!". Say the cue, then present the cup or tub to your dog. Reward with the treat when he puts his nose into it! Additionally, you'll want to make sure not to push the cup into the dogs face at all. Lure him into the tub; let him come to you. You can use a cup/tub like this and follow the muzzle training conditioning steps in the videos above to prepare for your muzzle before you even receive it. 

Overall Training Resources

At Big Snoof Dog Gear, we are huge advocates for Rewards - Based Training Methods that do not use aversive stimuli including discomfort, force, or intimidation to train.

We've compiled a bunch of resources for you to learn more about Rewards-Based training, and how to get started with it!

Resources from the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior, who are the leading dog training professionals of the world, called Veterinary Behaviorists, and have hefty degrees in both veterinary studies and behavior studies and decades of experience in the field:

AVSAB's Position Statement on Humane Dog Training Methods

AVSAB's Position Statement on The Use of Punishment for Behavior Modification in Animals

AVSAB's Guide on How to Choose a Trainer

AVSAB's Guide on How to Choose a Behavior Consultant

Directories to Find Trainers and Consultants:

AVSAB's Directory of Behavior Consultants

Karen Pryor Academy Clicker Trainers Directory

Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers Directory of Trainers

Control Unleashed Program:

Control Unleashed is a program from Leslie McDevitt, largely consisting of Pattern Games that will be fantastic tools for you and your dog, especially if they are reactive. They are a great foundation for many many other behaviors and for helping your dog learn how to deal with triggers or even new stimuli in their environment. CU has great online classes in almost any subject, and I highly recommend checking out their books. Many of them can be found on Amazon as well. Their pattern games are life changing! Also check out their Facebook Group for a community of others using Control Unleashed in their day to day lives and to get some advice from trainers who use it!

Youtube Trainers to Check out:

KikoPup

Zak George

Chirag Patel