Muzzle Training and Tips

08/07/2023

Thankyou!

"I just want to take a moment and express how thankful I am that I have this resource. I play a major role in the behavior and training program for a very large breed rescue, and we have used MTT to help us size many, many dogs who otherwise may not be alive today. With a properly-fitted, safe muzzle, we have been able to work through some issues safely that would have otherwise made these dogs unadoptable and unsafe. Every muzzle we have had fitted through MTT has been accurate, and we have been able to make modifications to the muzzles with the tips on the website to make them even more comfortable and effective. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. My own and many other dogs are so grateful!!"
Cody Flatt
Delta Canine

08/07/2023

I started Muzzle Training and Tips in early 2018 with a few friends who all were committed to helping dogs have safe and happy lives in a well fit muzzle which was not possible at the time due to so much incorrect and dangerous information out there. Throughout the years we went from small chat to a Facebook group with 30000 people to a website seeing thousands a month using it.

Most of the information provided on this website has come from amazing members/owners from all over the world to help provide accurate information on muzzle training and sizing.

Unfortunately due to chronic health issues I personally am unable to continue sizing dogs but will be keeping the website open and free as always. I will also be helping others create their own sizing/muzzle service to ensure there is always options out there.

I am so grateful that I was able to help so many over the years and thank everyone for their support and help. I hope I’ll be able to get back into it but need to focus on myself right now.

Take care 🩵

These forms are for those who need extra help with sizing and fitting a muzzle. MTT can help you with the whole process taking the confusion and (most of the) effort out of it. The forms will explain what measurements, pictures, and information we need and why.

29/01/2022

👏

DECIDING IF A BULLY BREED IS THE RIGHT FIT FOR YOU

Many factors must be taken into account when adopting/acquiring a dog. These factors include but are not limited to:
-will I have the financial means to care for this dog?
-will I have the time to commit towards helping this dog succeed?
-do I have an adequate amount of experience and knowledge in order to handle the dog safely?
-is my living situation ideal for a dog right now and will it be in the foreseeable future?
-is everyone in the home on board?
-have I done my research for the specific breed or breed group?
-am I prepared to deal with and responsibly combat any stigma associated with the dogs breed through responsible ownership?

While all dogs are individuals, trends in certain breed traits cannot be denied. Just as shepherds tend to herd and hounds tend to track, the bully breeds (or bull type terriers) have some breed traits as well. All bull type terriers descended from the original bull-and-terrier, and thus all breeds descended from it generally tend to share certain characteristics of the progenitor breed.

This is not to say that every dog in this group will exhibit breed trends; just that they are more likely to be predisposed to a given behavioural trait. This does not make them “bad dogs”; it simply means they require an owner who is educated and experienced in handling dogs.

The bull type terrier group consists of american staffordshire terriers and american pitbull terriers, staffordshire bull terriers, and more recently, american bullies. Dogs that are bully breed mixes fall into this category as well.

Some of the common behavioural traits listed in the breed standards of the bully group are:
-athleticism
-high energy levels
-physical strength
-tenacity
-prey drive
-higher likelihood of dog aggression (human aggression is highly uncharacteristic of all bully breeds as per the breed standards)

With those potential traits in mind, it is absolutely essential that one does not rush into adopting a bully breed. While some are good “beginner dogs”, most bull type terriers tend to require more experienced owners, or owners that are willing and able to put lots of time into learning about them. Because of the stigma revolving around bully breeds, owners of these dogs in particular need to be very dedicated and responsible owners in order to combat BSL and negative stigma.

However, irresponsible ownership of these dogs is all too common. Because of their stereotypical “tough” appearance, many people acquire these dogs to boost their egos and to portray themselves in a particular way. This leads to high energy, athletic, and potentially dog aggressive dogs being owned by people who do not have the means to responsibly care for this type of dog. Almost all incidents of dogs attacking another pet or person are due to improper handling. These people who use living beings as accessories are a significant source of BSL and the public stigma surrounding our beloved breed group.

Because our breeds are stigmatized, it is up to us to fight stigma through responsible ownership and dog bite prevention. This starts when acquiring a dog. Be introspective and ask youself why you want a bully breed. Is it because you love the personality traits of the dog? Is it because the dog will integrate well into your lifestyle? Is it because you have experience with higher energy, higher drive dogs? Or is it because you desire the perception others would have of you if you own this dog?

Setting a dog up for success starts with you!

Sources:

https://www.ukcdogs.com/american-pit-bull-terrier

https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/american-staffordshire-terrier/

http://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/AmericanStaffordshireTerrier.pdf

http://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/StaffordshireBullTerrier.pdf

https://www.ukcdogs.com/american-bully

https://love-a-bull.org/resources/the-history-of-pit-bulls/

29/01/2022

We love seeing posts like this!

Dusty-Rose update 🌹🌹

Our beautiful Dusty-Rose is coming along so well with her training. She has taken to her muzzle and has been learning that it means treats and fun stuff 😍 Dusty is not an aggressive dog, she is just an anxious dog who can react in certain situations so the muzzle will help to keep her and other safe 😊 Along with her caution gear from Friendly Dog Collars and anxiety medication to support her training, she is having many more successful public outings for her exercise and training sessions 💕 She has less people and dogs approaching her, so she isn't able to "practice" her habit of reacting. She is such a beautiful and loving girl, and now thanks to her foster mum she can have a much more relaxed life trusting that her humans can manage the situations that make her uncomfortable 😊

Dusty has a meet with a potential foster to adopt home tomorrow, we all have our fingers and paws crossed in hopes it is just the home for Dusty-Rose to keep on thriving in 🤞🥰💜

Make sure you're following the page to stay updated 🐾

If you would like to learn more about muzzles, we recommend Muzzle Training and Tips 😊

26/01/2022

Muzzled dogs can have fun too 💕
My girl Marley (black) had major dog/reactivity issues for the first 4 years of her life. Muzzles, tools, proper training and guidance changed her life. Not only can she have fun muzzled but she has now progressed to no muzzle with known dogs and has made many new friends the last 2 years. We couldn’t have made it here without the help of muzzles!. I created MTT to see more changes like my own dogs and after seeing thousands it is a very good feeling knowing how many more dogs have the freedom and happiness they deserve 🙌🏻

Photo credit: Brooke Webb

23/01/2022

Did you know Muzzle Training and Tips have the most extensive collection of accurate muzzle charts ever?! And we have spent over a year collecting all of it..

We have over 15 brands completely measured which includes over 200 sizes and 1000 individual measurements (WITH PICTURES OF EACH), plus 5 more brands being measured atm.

We also have gone even further and have over 350 muzzle comparison charts, 250 dogs wearing the muzzles and their measurements, weight charts, 200+ modifying/securing pictures, measuring/sizing charts, shareable/printable info charts and so much more! And this is just the charts, not the info on the group and website!

We are so proud of what we and our awesome admins/members have accomplished and continuously add more to our collection daily.

While we want to make sure everyone has access to our information, we ask that you send to our website/group/Insta instead of taking info out of context from our website as there’s no possible way to summarise all our work that people need to correctly muzzle into a single chart/page.

THANK YOU, MTT members for all your support and help! Look forward to helping many more through 2022!

17/01/2022

MTT Muzzle Story Monday
#3

Dog owner: Amber Ellington

“Bosoce used to have to be double leashed and walked at 5 am every morning to manage him from 6 months old. He would lunge, scream and try to maul trash bags, letter boxes, shadows, cats and dogs and anything else remotely dog shaped in the dark. He was dog aggressive and would over react to any dogs he saw Using a muzzle helped settle our nerves and opened up so many new doors for him, he now attends a specialised daycare that caterers to hard to manage dogs while muzzled and is learning how to communicate appropriately instead of jumping right on the defence. His muzzle means he can slowly, safely expand his freind group without damaging them and that he can come on hikes and explore off leash with people actually recalling their dogs and giving us the space he needs to become a neutral dog”

17/01/2022

MTT Muzzle Story Monday
#2

Dog owner: Samantha Booth

“I started muzzling my Dutch shepherd, Kimber, when we went canicrossing. She would get overstimulated and nip at peoples hands while we were running (“tagging” them, as she thought it was a game). She would also react to other dogs on the trail. We started going for walks first and then running with her Leerburg muzzle. She ignores people and dogs alike now, though we still keep the muzzle on to deter people from petting her or grabbing at her while running. She’s never been a happier pup!”

16/01/2022

MTT Muzzle Story Monday
Today we will be sharing 3 different muzzle stories from our MTT members. We love hearing about how muzzling helped you and your dog. Don’t forget to send them in through message

Dog owner: Acacia Copley

“I work at an animal shelter and ended up adopting Harrison after his third live trapping while with a previous adopter. He was fearful and a high flight risk but that’s all we knew. After 2 weeks of living in my apartment, he started to decompress and we found him to be fear reactive on walks. That quickly turned to fear aggression. My boss suggested a muzzle. I wasn’t sure about them but was going to do everything it would take to keep him safe. I was terrified about getting kicked out or having to bring Harry back to the shelter (or worse). I contacted a behaviorist, got him started on meds, and ordered a muzzle. Before getting the muzzle we practiced up to 5 times a day maybe more using a Tupperware container. He learned very quickly and it was a smooth transition to the muzzle. It took us about 10 days before we were using it on walks. The muzzle made it possible to see our behaviorist and has made vet visits safe! He also wears it when meeting anyone new and whenever we leave the apartment! It was an easy and positive experience muzzle training him and I wish every dog had this skill. “
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01/05/2021

Why do you muzzle your dog?

Comment below and share!

11/02/2021

Lol😂