There are several reasons why your dog may need to wear a muzzle. In fact, it's good practice to get any dog used to wearing a muzzle, even if it's not something they need to wear day-to-day. If your dog is reactive, teaching them to wear a muzzle in public places offers extra peace of mind that everyone is kept safe. Or, if they're an avid scavenger, a muzzle can be a useful management tool as part of their training.
Whatever the reason is behind your dog needing to wear a muzzle, they must be comfortable wearing one, and it shouldn't add any extra stress or anxiety for them. So, here is how to teach your dog to wear a muzzle successfully:
Step 1.
Choose the correct muzzle for your dog. It should be a comfortable fit and allow your dog to pant freely while wearing it. This is essential for your dog's health and well-being. Never choose an 'occlusion' muzzle that firmly keeps your dog's mouth shut. This type of muzzle should only be used for very short periods or in emergency situations, never while your dog is exercising.
Step 2
Teach your dog to feel comfortable putting their nose and snout into objects. Try a mug, a glass, or a plastic or paper cup. Some dogs may not even be comfortable with these objects to start with. So, you could try teaching them to 'touch' a frisbee with their nose to begin with. Then, move onto a rubber ring before building up to the cup.
To do this, rub some dog-safe peanut butter, meat paste, cream cheese, or wet dog food on the base of the cup and let your dog lick it off. They will have to partially cover their snout with the cup to access the food reward.
This gets your dog used to the feeling of something being around their snout without it actually being a muzzle at this stage.
Step 3
Next, once your dog is fully comfortable with their snout being covered by a mug, you can repeat this step but this time, introduce the muzzle.
So, spread soft foods on the inside of your dog's muzzle and place the muzzle into the mug. This keeps the muzzle still, and the mug will also be familiar to your dog by now. So, they'll know what to expect.
If your dog is clicker trained, you can click and reward them each time they put their snout into the muzzle. This creates a double reward for your dog, the first when you click and give them a treat, and the second when they lick the food from the inside of the muzzle.
Step 4
Once your dog is fully comfortable with choosing to put their snout into a muzzle, with it placed into a mug, you can move on to this step.
Take the muzzle in your hand and hold it still. Allow your dog to approach it and put their snout in to lick off the tasty treats again.
It's very important that you don't force your dog to put their snout into the muzzle, and that you don't move the muzzle towards your dog. It should be their choice to put their nose into it because without this, your dog may feel scared or uncomfortable.
It can also be beneficial to teach your dog to rest their chin in the palm of your hand. This reminds them that there is nothing to be scared of when things are touching their face.
Step 5
Once you are certain your dog is comfortable placing their snout into the muzzle, you can fasten it loosely for a few seconds, then remove it.
You can increase the duration gradually, provided your dog is comfortable with it.
If, at any point of this process, your dog shows signs of stress, you must stop the training and do something else your dog enjoys. You can then come back to muzzle training but make it easier for your dog to be successful this time.
Step 6
Your dog should now be happy wearing a muzzle that is fully fastened on them. So, now it's time to generalize your training to get your dog used to wearing the muzzle in different situations.
Practice your training in the garden, in your house, out on a walk, and in as many places as possible. Do it at different times of the day, in different weather conditions, etc., so your dog understands that it's okay to wear a muzzle no matter what is going on around them.
Play fun games and activities with your dog while they are wearing the muzzle, to make sure they know that their fun doesn't need to end just because of the muzzle! If their muzzle fits well, your dog should still be able to take treats from you or even pick up certain toys like a ball on a rope.
Your overall aim of muzzle training is to make sure your dog is completely comfortable and stress-free when wearing their muzzle. It's not as simple as putting a muzzle on your dog and waiting for them to get used to it. This will create stress and fear for them, which is not something we want to encourage. Your dog should be able to live their life as freely in a muzzle as they would without one. Putting in the groundwork with this training, to begin with, will set your dog up for success and ensure they are always comfortable wearing a muzzle. This trust and teamwork will only ever be beneficial to the relationship you share with your dog. To find out more about helping your dog be as contented as possible, check out my book, Canine Contentment - The Essential Guide, which can be purchased here. For more information contact caninecontentment.blogspot.com
Types of the Four Main Dog Muzzles
There are four main types of dog muzzles. Basket muzzle, occlusion muzzle, short snout muzzle, and homemade dog muzzle. Whichever one you decide to purchase for your dogs, make sure the dog muzzle is safe and comfortable for your furry friends. The right size, fit and style will ensure that the dog muzzle is used effectively and will stay securely and comfortably on your dog’s snout.
If you already know the types of muzzles you’re getting your furry friends, make sure you understand how a dog muzzle work and its intended use and purpose.
Basket Muzzle The basket dog muzzle forms a basket weave pattern that is strapped to your dog’s nose and mouth while still allowing them to open their mouths comfortably and pant freely. Used as a dog muzzle to prevent biting, the basket muzzle allows airflow which keeps your dog's cool. To provide a comfortable and secure fit, many basket dog muzzles have adjustable straps that wrap around the back of the dogs’ head. If your dog has a habit of constantly barking, using a dog muzzle for barking will help to train your dog not to bark. While some may view the basket muzzle to be an inhumane option, the opposite is true. Used as a great training tool, many canines enjoy wearing the basket dog muzzles over the soft occlusion muzzles. The basket muzzle provides enough space for dogs to open their mouths to pant freely, drink water, and eat small treats. Note that dogs can eat small to medium size treats through the basket muzzle, but they will not be able to eat food or chew on inedible items. Thus, the basket dog muzzle is a great tool to help develop good eating habits or train dogs not to chew on furniture or inedible objects around the house. Basket dog muzzles are made from a variety of materials, including wire, plastic, silicone, and bio thane. We will discuss each of them and point out the advantages of using each one. Wire basket muzzle. Of all the materials used for basket dog muzzle, the wire basket muzzle is the sturdiest. If your dog has a habit of biting, this is a perfect dog muzzle for biting habits. If you do end up getting this one, make sure to add a bit of padding for comfort and to prevent your dog’s nose from constantly rubbing against it.
Plastic dog muzzle. There are many different types of plastic dog muzzles. You can find soft or moldable ones to very rigid ones. Most affordable dog muzzles you see today are most likely made from plastic. Be aware because some plastic muzzles are a bit cheap so they may be of poor quality. If you have aggressive or strong dogs, the plastic dog muzzle may not be tough enough for them. It should be strong enough for the average dog.
Silicone dog muzzle. Softer than plastic dog muzzle, many dog owner prefer the silicone dog muzzle. You’re probably aware that silicone is considered more food and child safe than plastic. Especially when the basket dog muzzle is sitting close to the dog’s snout and mouth, silicone dog muzzle may be the one you prefer for your pup.
Bio Thane muzzle. Made from coated webbing, the bio thane muzzle is soft and flexible, and more durable than leather. Although it’s lighter than leather, it is just as tough as leather. Many pet owners love the bio thane muzzle because it is an ultra-comfortable basket dog muzzle for their pup. These are also some of the best on the market.
While training your canines, you can purchase basket dog muzzles that have slits along the side. This allows you to easily slip in larger dog treats like sliced hot dogs through the slit bars. Receiving treats during training is an opportunity to reward dogs for their good behavior. Although you can purchase a ready-made basket muzzle, many dog owners also choose to have the basket dog muzzle custom-made to fit their canines’ exact snout shape. A basket muzzle is required when your dogs are outdoor at a local dog park socializing with other dogs and people or walking with you in the neighborhood. When your dogs are walking, running, or playing, they will naturally pant and drink water. With that, the basket dog muzzle is the choice for active dogs. The most secure way to prevent your dogs from biting is to go with the pet safe wire basket muzzle. Wire basket muzzle is also great for larger dog breeds. Depending on your dogs’ breeds and the strength of the dogs’ jaws, the soft nylon and plastic basket muzzle might not be durable enough to withstand their biting. Therefore, the soft nylon or plastic basket muzzle is best reserved for smaller dog breeds. Some basket dog muzzles allow for sufficient mouth movements. For instance, your dogs can pant freely, but not drink water or eat. Other basket dog muzzles allow your dogs to eat small treats, drink water, pant freely, but not bark. If you have active dogs or you’re planning to take them outside, we recommend choosing a comfortable basket muzzle that allows them to pant freely and drink water.
Occlusion Muzzle
Less comfortable than the basket dog muzzle, the occlusion muzzle is usually made from fabric such as nylon sleeve or mesh. This type of dog muzzle is like a straitjacket that wraps around your dogs’ mouth thereby keeping the mouth closed. Also known as the soft muzzle, the occlusion muzzle can include adjustable nylon straps that wrap around the back of your dogs’ head to ensure a secure and comfort fit.
Besides nylon, the occlusion muzzle can also be made of other types of materials such as leather. Used primarily to control barking or biting. Please only have your furry friends wear the occlusion muzzles for short periods of time. Dogs can wear the occlusion muzzles during short dog grooming procedures or brief veterinary visits. Other than that, avoid long-term wear of the occlusion muzzle because it prevents your dog from any form of mouth movement including panting. Panting is a form of canine thermoregulation in dogs. Since dogs can’t sweat as humans do, they pant to cool themselves down and dissipate heat from inside their bodies. Never have your dogs wear the occlusion muzzle in hot weather, whether indoor or outdoor. If your dogs are active and love to play outside, avoid having them wear the occlusion muzzle in hot temperatures. They will not be able to pant, which can cause them to overheat. Overheating may lead to a heat stroke. The occlusion muzzle also prevents your canines
from eating, drinking, or barking. If you do choose to get the occlusion muzzle for your dogs, remember to only use it for very brief periods and never leave your dogs alone or unsupervised with the occlusion muzzle on. Please note that since your dogs can’t eat when wearing an occlusion muzzle, it is not the best dog muzzle for training. You won’t be able to reward your dogs with treats when training them to accept the muzzle or when trying to modify their behaviors. However, it is a great tool to help develop good eating habits or train dogs not to chew on furniture or inedible objects around the house.
Short Snout Muzzle If you have short nose dogs, neither the basket dog muzzle nor the occlusion muzzle will fit them. Instead, short snout dogs should wear short snout muzzles. Short nose dogs include Pugs, Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, English bulldogs, or Boston Terriers to name a few. A short snout muzzle is usually made of breathable mesh. It is a mask that covers the entire face while leaving a comfortable snout opening so short nose dogs can breathe easily and pant comfortably through it without biting or barking. Some short snout muzzles have the “eye hole” design so it is more comfortable for the dogs’ eyes. The eye hole design also allows short snout dogs to see clearly.
Homemade Dog Muzzle In an emergency, if you do not have any other dog muzzles around, the good news is that you can make the dog muzzle yourself. With no other choice, you can resort to a DIY muzzle for dog. This homemade dog muzzle should only be used temporarily until you find the right dog muzzle for your furry friends. The DIY muzzle for dog can be made in several ways. You can use your dog’s leash, a roll of gauze, or a pair of pantyhose to wrap around your dogs’ snout and mouth. Please note, these materials aren’t the best so remember to buy the right dog muzzle for your canine and keep it in your dog first aid kit. To put on the homemade dog muzzle, you’ll want to approach your dogs slowly and have them sit or lay down with you. With the fabric or roll of gauze, you will wrap it around your dogs’ snout and the back of their head. To finish, you tie it off at the back of your dogs’ head and make sure the homemade dog muzzle is securely and comfortably fitted.
No matter which dog muzzle you decide to purchase for your furry friends, make sure it fits comfortably and securely as well as allowing your canines to breathe properly. For more information contact dogleashpro.com
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