How To
Muzzle Train your dog
Get prepared now with our free video guide.
Not everyone who muzzle trains their dog has an aggressive dog
There are any number of reasons why you would choose to do this, including, preventing your dog eating inedible objects and causing a blockage, stopping them from eating other animal faeces on a walk, teaching them to remain calm and for veterinary staff safety when being handled through pain. If my dog has an accident and needs surgery or extensive painful physio work, I don’t want the first time he wears a muzzle to be a traumatic experience on top of what else has happened to him – same goes with crate training.
If you have an aggressive dog, it’s important that you learn how to muzzle train your dog so that your dog is comfortable before you approach a professional for aggression rehab assistance.
If you need a professional to muzzle train a dog for you it will take considerably longer and be considerably more expensive for you.
We’ve trained an adult Dobermann to accept wearing a muzzle and to be happy about it in 10 sessions. We do this using positive reinforcement and patience to shape the wanted behaviour in increments. With this dog it took a total of 10 sessions to achieve – 5 days.
Watch the videos below and follow the same steps yourself to achieve the result of muzzle training a dog who you’ll find is happy to wear his muzzle.
What Type of Muzzle Should I Use?
For muzzle training, a basket muzzle is almost always the right choice. Unlike mesh or fabric muzzles, a basket muzzle allows your dog to pant, drink water and take treats, all of which are essential during the training process. A dog that can’t pant or take food rewards will struggle to associate the muzzle with anything positive.
Mesh and fabric muzzles are designed for short, supervised use only like a vet visit. They should never be used for extended wear or during exercise as they prevent normal breathing and can cause distress quickly.
For sizing, the muzzle should allow your dog to open their mouth fully and pant freely, with no contact between the muzzle and the end of the nose. When in doubt, size up.
How Long Does Muzzle Training Take?
Most dogs can be comfortably wearing a muzzle within two to four weeks when trained correctly, some faster, some slower. The ten-session framework below is designed to be worked through at your dog’s pace, not yours. Rushing any stage will undermine the whole process.
Puppies and younger dogs tend to progress quickly as they have fewer negative associations to work through. Adult dogs with an existing negative reaction to having things near their face, often from poorly fitted leads, collars or past handling and may need more time and patience in the early sessions.
The goal is a dog that actively puts their nose into the muzzle and wears it without stress. If your dog is showing signs of anxiety at any stage, slow down rather than pushing forward.
Common Muzzle Training Mistakes
Moving too fast. Each session in the framework below has a purpose. Skipping steps because your dog seems fine usually results in problems surfacing later — often at the worst possible moment.
Using food to distract rather than reward. There’s a difference between a dog that tolerates the muzzle because they’re focused on a treat, and a dog that genuinely has a positive association with wearing one. The latter is what you’re working toward.
Only putting the muzzle on before stressful situations. If your dog only ever wears their muzzle at the vet or when they’re anxious, the muzzle becomes a predictor of stress. Wear it on calm walks, during positive interactions, at home — build a broad range of positive experiences around it.
Choosing the wrong muzzle. A poorly fitted or inappropriate muzzle will set the training back significantly. See the section above on choosing the right type and fit.
Muzzle Training A Reactive or Aggressive Dog
A muzzle is a management tool, not a training solution. It keeps people and other dogs safe while you work on the underlying behaviour, but on its own, it changes nothing about why your dog reacts.
If your dog has a bite history, has shown aggression toward people or other dogs, or their reactivity has escalated to the point where walks have become something you dread. A muzzle buys you safety while you address the root cause.
We work with reactive and aggressive dogs every week, both through our residential training programmes and one-to-one sessions at our Cheshire facility. If muzzle training is just the first step and you need help with everything behind it, and we’ll have an honest conversation about what your dog needs.
Session One
Session Two
Session Three
Session Four
Session Five
Session Six
Session Seven
Session Eight
Session Nine
Session Ten
What if I need more help?
If you’d like more support through our Individual Training Programs or Residential Training Program please complete a contact form and we’ll be in touch to have a chat with you about your dog and make a plan to help you!
You can also find some tips on our blog pages and our social media channels.
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