How to Get a Dog Used to a Muzzle

The muzzle is that item so unloved by dogs and owners alike. Even so, the truth is it can be highly useful in certain circumstances, and mandatory in others. For example, if your dog is classed as a Potentially Dangerous Breed, they'll need to wear it every time they go out.

Even so, even if your dog is a small poodle, it's also good for them to be used to the muzzle. Let's look at how to get a dog used to a muzzle simply, so they don't get stressed using it and can enjoy walks even while wearing it.

The Muzzle for Dogs

If we suddenly decide to put a muzzle on our dog, it's normal for them to reject it at first. Especially if we put it on roughly and with little care. Even so, even if we never use it throughout their whole life, it's a good idea to include it in our emergency first aid kit. We may need to use it.

For example, if our dog has a painful injury that makes them snap to stop us touching them, they take to attacking another dog at the park, or they don't tolerate handling at the vet clinic. A muzzle works for these cases. Remember safety comes first. Situations where a dog may need a muzzle are stressful.

That's why it matters to have got them used to it beforehand, so as not to add a new element that could worsen the stress of the moment. On another note, if your dog is classed as potentially dangerous, you'll need to get them used to it from a young age, since it's mandatory for them to go out on the street.

Choosing the Best Muzzle for Our Dog

It's true that, for an emergency, we could simply use a bandage tied around the muzzle area, but it's better to have an actual muzzle to hand. There are different sizes and materials. So, we need to find one that fits our dog's snout and, ideally, one made of washable nylon for hygiene reasons.

• Guide to choosing the best muzzle for a dog

Before even thinking about putting it on the dog, learn how to handle it yourself. Look at how it adjusts and how to fasten it properly to avoid any scares. You can buy a muzzle at vet clinics or pet shops. It's a simple mechanism, but if you have any doubts about how to use it, ask the vet or seller before using it for the first time.

How to Introduce the Muzzle to the Dog

Once you've picked the right muzzle for your dog's characteristics, it's time to show it to them. There's no age limit for the muzzle adaptation process. That is, ideally you'd start when the dog is a puppy, but if you adopt an adult, or your dog is already older and you've only just realised how useful a muzzle is, you're still in time to teach them.

Dogs learn throughout their whole life, though it may take them a bit longer. Either way, the first step is always staying calm and choosing a moment when you have time for the introduction. If you're in a rush, nervous, or shout, the dog will read it as negative, and you'll be setting them up to reject the muzzle.

The session will only last a few minutes, since dogs don't focus for longer, but it matters to give it your full attention. The first thing you need to do is simply show them the muzzle and let them sniff it. Reward them when they touch it with their muzzle, and encourage them to do so to keep rewarding them.

Positive Training

The key lies in getting the dog to link the muzzle with a positive feeling. Nothing works faster for this than pairing it with food. If they learn the muzzle brings them a reward, they'll accept it with no problem at all. To do this properly, you need to learn the exact moment to offer the reward. Otherwise the right association won't be built.

For this learning, start by picking your dog's favourite treat. Ideally it would be healthy, but dogs usually prefer a piece of sausage or ham over a piece of apple. Consider it an exception and subtract the calories from their daily ration, since treats shouldn't exceed 10% of what they eat daily.

End the session after several rewarded approaches to the muzzle, and repeat the same sequence the next day. This way we set the idea in their head that the muzzle brings a reward. Don't move on to the next step if your dog doesn't handle this one perfectly.

The Muzzle Step by Step

We've managed to get the dog calm and confident with the muzzle. The next step is encouraging them to put their snout inside. A small piece of food inside will help them achieve this. Put the muzzle on the ground so they need to put their snout inside to reach the reward.

Usually the dog will learn this quickly, but the important thing is to properly set the concept, always end the session with a reward, and not rush if, for whatever reason, they find this step difficult. We'll simply need to repeat it more times.

How to Fasten the Muzzle

As soon as the dog can put their snout into the muzzle placed on the ground with no problem, we can take the chance to calmly fasten it while they're eating the reward. Take it off after a few seconds and repeat the exercise a few times.

As you can see, it matters to do this adaptation while the dog is hungry. If they've just devoured their ration, they'll be less motivated by rewards, though this depends a great deal on each animal. Some are such gluttons that food works at any moment.

Wearing the Muzzle

Once the dog already tolerates the muzzle for a few seconds, it's just a matter of extending how long they wear it. Repeat the previous sequence, but now don't take the muzzle off quickly. Keep it on while rewarding the dog to help them keep wearing it. A nylon muzzle lets the dog keep eating, but you can also use verbal praise or strokes.

At this point, keep repeating the exercise over different sessions, extending how long they wear the muzzle and spacing out the rewards. The positive association with the muzzle is now established.

Bibliography Schlegl-Kofler, Katharina. 2003. Escuela de perros. La educación del perro por medio del juego. Madrid. Tikal Ediciones.