Muzzle Training

When I was working Nora on sheep, I used a muzzle for my peace of mind.  If I was in the wrong place (likely) or to slow with positioning the staff or me (even more likely) she could get in close enough to grip.  Since her drive to work was so high, the muzzle made little difference to her.  I have seen other dogs turn off and refuse to work.  Some owners could misinterpret the change in behavior that may accompany muzzle training.

Personally I would only want to see the public using basket muzzles.  The cloth ones seem to restrictive to me and I would worry about over heating when stressed.

I see some value in getting this to be a standard practice (like altering and leash laws).  My concern would be providing adequate support and instruction to owners to get the muzzles on and tolerated.  I know it can be done (muzzle training), I have just encountered a number of folks in may classes who had trouble dealing with adult dogs and head halters.

I muzzle trained Heidi when she was young.  I only had the need to use it once, when she was young and willful and mouthy and nervous.  I knew that just trying to "slap" one on her face if the need arose wouldn't work...so I knew enough to plan and train in advance.

I bought both the basket kind and the cloth one to have in my stock.  Here's what I did.  First thing first.  I had the muzzle on my lap or on the table beside me just for visibility.  She would notice it and I would mark it with "good" and give her a treat.  We did that for a few days.  Then, I started handling the muzzle and just touching her nose with it.   Mark and treat.  Then what I did was put some kibble inside the muzzle and held it in front of her face...she reached inside herself to get the kibble.  Mark and treat.  After a couple of days of that.  I, without hesitation, held the muzzle in front of her face...of course she thought there would be kibble inside, then just put it on.  She didn't have time to think about it.  Big time party praise.  Left it on for a minute, then took it off and treat.

I only had to use it one time, again, when she was young and she had to go to the vet.  The technicians were the ones worried about her because she seemed nervous, so they wanted her to wear it.

Callie, I think it's a great idea!  Mick wore a basket type muzzle a few times to keep from chewing (only when we were home).  I never thought to get Caleb used to it.  And to think, I have a velcro one in his first aid kit!

 Yup! Emma wore a leather basket muzzle, and she always shoved her own face into it. She was taught that the muzzle ALWAYS means treats are coming, even if it means unpleasant prodding from the vet. She could heel, sit, stay, etc, wearing the muzzle. She was totally fine with it.

The little girls have been shown muzzles and head halters, and had them paired with treats, too. They have not been *as* muzzle trained as Emma, but are far, far less likely to ever need one. Em even wore hers in the vet's waiting room.

After Baily was attacked and very leary of unknown dogs, I had a session with a local trainer.  she fitted him with a plastic basket muzzle and gave me crash course instructions on how to make him more comfortable with it.  He actually took to it just fine with very little introduction during that session.  Of course food was involved and that makes everything better !

I went home and worked with him more slowly and he is very accepting of it.  He has worn it when meeting unknown dogs belonging to friends.  After "air snapping" at visiting children (VERY long story), he now wears it around the kids.

We don't need it often, but I do think it's a great tool to have.

edited for typos

I think all of my current crew are muzzle trained but the only one who I use a muzzle on is Panama. He gets growly sometimes when having his nails or ears done. I had a hard time thinking he'd really bite me but then I had a surprise that he'd even growl so I got him used to wearing the muzzle while on my lap and in between treats. He's totally goofy about it. When he sees the muzzle in my hand he jumps on my lap to let me put it on him.

Jewlieee

We are trained as handlers how do make a muzzle on the spot if the dog is injured. To me that is more important than training a dog to accept a muzzle.

I think that *is* muzzle training:-))

My point is, though, that the dog should also be acclimated to wearing one, not just that the handler should know how to fashion one.

Willow puts hers on really nicely with no problems.  I hold it up and say, "put your nose in here", and she does, LOL!  She's got a Happy Muzzle, red with white daisies on it.  I've gotten more compliments on the muzzle than anything else I've bought her.  http://www.doginthecity.net/index.html

I will definately be teaching any future dogs to accept one as well. 

Brutus has a leather basket muzzle that I did acclimate him to wearing.  I used treats & made it a fun experience.  I bought it for vet visits, & I've used it once.  I can handle him for the vet & he behaves himself with me there. 

Jewlieee

Unless you have a special case then the times the dog will actually wear a muzzle is maybe once a lifetime

I suppose that this is my way of thinking as well.  If one of my dogs is in a situation that warrants a muzzle, then something is likely, seriously, wrong.  In that type of situation, worrying about stressing them with a muzzle is the least of my concerns.

 We trained Ari to accept a muzzle. In all honesty, for a period of time, we NEEDED to use a muzzle to train her to not to bite (there is only so much bruising, blood being drawn, that we could take). We had to take the teeth out of the equation, so we could work on other behaviors. Muzzle = treats for her, so she's fine with them. We haven't had to use a muzzle on her in at least a year, but she's used to them which I think is a good thing. She's never once tried to bite when injured (opposite really, she wants to be close and comforted), but you never know how a dog might react to trauma. I liken muzzle training (now) to crate training. Ari will readily go into and settle quietly into any kennel. This has made overnight visits at the vet or boarding far less stressful than if she's never been introduced to a crate before.

 I should get Simba a muzzle, right now he wears his gentle leader, but that's not exactly the same... Note to self, get Simba a muzzle. :P

Jewlieee

I know what your point is silly! I'm saying that I don't think that is as important as the handler knowing how to fashion a muzzle without an actual muzzle. Unless you have a special case then the times the dog will actually wear a muzzle is maybe once a lifetime

Agreed. Here it's not so much training as what happens when you act a fool on the grooming table. I WILL, do your nails and shave what needs shaving. I WON'T tolerate your nonsense when I do...I have a velcro one or I can fashion one VERY quickly on the spot from a slip lead.

It is put on matter of factly while I sing a little song about how naughty they are, and we continue what we were about.