I haven’t posted in a while and am now returning with a question on Muzzles. I want to be proactive and appreciate muzzles for the good they can do not just the association with aggression and aversive methods. Milly is a reactive dog and needs time to assimilate each situation she finds herself in. I want to be proactive work on a desensitisation programme and teach Milly to love a muzzle. I feel it could be beneficial in many circumstances – one example we’re approaching the time for first vaccine updates and this is going to be a very challenging time for Milly – I don’t want to find myself on the day with, potentially, a petrified dog reacting and the vet suddenly needing to muzzle her with no warning, this I feel could cause future handling issues. They are a requirement on ferry crossings. There are other situations too where I feel it could be a good ‘back up’. I have NO intention of muzzling her on a routine basis. So to get to the point: I was thinking of a basket one, my question is does anyone have experience/recommendations on muzzles?
One for @Emily_BabbelHund I think! Good for you for doing this. I'm sure it's eminently possible to train a dog to love their muzzle, if you take it slowly. I'd be teaching her to put her own nose in the muzzle, rather than you placing it on her. I think it's very empowering to the dog to make the decision to have it put on or not, and removes some of the negativity. Basically, it's just like the bucket game.
Absolutely, muzzle games. Slowly slowly using a similar process I used for the collar of shame, getting her to put her nose in over time with the last stage being I fasten it for a second, build etc...
Hi @M&M16 I knew I had an article somewhere and just found it, so here's a link you may find helpful It would also be good to spend some time visiting the vet surgery just as a habituation exercise and perhaps get vet nurses to help with a bit of gentle handling. Also practice handling ie ear checks, eye checks etc as every little helps. http://www.clickertraining.com/node/3948
I've been using this video for muzzle training, and it's been working for us so far: I don't give him treats through the muzzle like in the video, but just give him a treat when I take it off, and it hasn't been a problem for him. The part I've found really helpful is to take the muzzle away from the dog's nose before he thinks to move his head out. Then they don't get to practice getting out of the muzzle themselves. If she needs to wear a muzzle for more than a short period, it's best to have a basket one so she can still pant if it's hot and can drink water. I've heard people recommend Baskerville muzzles for dogs that might bite, because there is a strap over the forehead so they are more secure, but I haven't used one myself.
Thanks for the link. It's exactly what I had in mind. Milly's really not too bad with all the husbandry stuff, I do it every other day and we visit the vets regularly, weigh in's ... I also do mock injections etc with them both. But it takes a lot of time and generally the vets aren't able to take that time, as soon as she feels out of control she's unpredictable, she has difficulty calming herself during stressful situations and can do redirected pinching. Work in progress...
It's always so sad when vets can't (or won't) give an extra few minutes to help a dog feel comfortable. They should know the importance of any animal feeling comfortable before beginning treatment. Just a thought but is it possible to book a longer appointment to give more time for calmness before any treatment begins? Your pup is lucky to have you and your proactive approach to management. Time and +reinforcement will make a difference and ignore any looks or stupid comments about muzzles - people don't understand the benefits they can bring, and dog owners can be the worst offenders
Thank you. The vet is really quite good but although we visit regularly we, fortunately, haven't needed to have actual consults very much. So, very much depends on the waiting room on the day too - however the set up is good in that there is direct access from the car park to the consultation room so I can & will go in that way. If she's feeling confident she's equally liable to give the vet a good ear wash
