![]() ![]() In other words, if you’re introducing the muzzle as a tool in your training program, don’t contribute to the chaos by introducing it before your dog is ready to wear it within the required training parameters. When working with reactivity and aggression, it’s important to avoid adding further stress to a dog’s environment. Think of the muzzle as a tool, and training as the gateway, to behavior change, allowing you to work safely on desensitization, counterconditioning, and coping skills. Incorporating the muzzle into a force-free training plan to help keep you and your dog safe will get you closer to your behavior change goals. ![]() The muzzle itself will not fix a dog’s reactivity or dog-dog aggression. Even though he may not be able to put teeth on skin, it’s still dangerous and will only serve to strengthen a dog’s reactivity. While The Muzzle Up! Project promotes muzzles as an excellent tool to keep dogs and humans safe in a variety of situations, it’s important to remember that a muzzle isn’t a green light to lead a dog into a situation that will cause him to react. Never leave your dog alone with their muzzle on as they could get caught and injure themselves.I’m currently on a flight to Albany, NY to give another Muzzle Up! seminar and, given the fact it’s a long flight, I thought I’d tackle one question I’m often asked: Will a muzzle will improve a dog’s reactivity or aggression?.Never use a muzzle as punishment, it should always be a positive experience.Even if your dog only needs to wear their muzzle occasionally, it’s worthwhile putting it on regularly and rewarding them with a treat so they remember it’s a good thing.Keep making it a positive experience with regular treats and rewards.When your dog is used to their muzzle and happy wearing it, you should be able to put it on and go for walks without any problems.Try putting the muzzle on in different situations, such as outside your house, on a walk, with another dog around, whilst at the park, and at the vets.Remove it if they seem stressed at any point.Try a little walk around the house/garden together with the muzzle on.Repeat this process, gradually increasing how long your dog wears the muzzle for each time.As soon as they have finished their treat, take the muzzle off. Fasten the muzzle and give your dog a treat.Go back a step, take the training a bit more slowly, and remain patient. If your dog shakes the muzzle off, don't tell them off.Repeat until your dog is totally comfortable having the straps held behind their ears.Hold them for just a few seconds before gradually building up.Start holding (but not fastening) the muzzle straps behind your dog’s ears and give them a treat.Ideally, they should think ‘treats’ and voluntarily put their nose into the muzzle as soon as you get it out. Repeat this over several training sessions until your dog is totally comfortable putting their nose right to the end of the muzzle.Start with gaps close to the entrance, then gradually move the treats further into the muzzle until your dog is happy to take one from the end.they don’t react, or react positively to it), start encouraging them to put their nose into it by giving them treats through the gaps. Once your dog is comfortable with the sight of their muzzle (i.e.Give them their meals next to the muzzle for a few days.Positively introduce the muzzle by placing it on the floor with ‘high value’ (yummy) treats in and around it. ![]() Don't be tempted to skip training and simply put the muzzle on your dog - this is likely to scare them and make it progressively harder to put it on each time you try. It’s important to muzzle-train your dog using rewards to ensure they think of it positively. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |