29/09/2021
๐ถโค๏ธMuzzle talk โค๏ธ๐ถ
Muzzles are a great tool for all dogs and something all dogs should be comfortable with, particularly reactive and nervous dogs.
Muzzles are most effective when training takes place before the muzzle is ever required. When trained correctly the dog can see muzzle wearing as simply another trick that gets them a treat and not much different to putting on their lead before leaving the house.
Muzzle training your dog doesn't mean the dog needs to wear a muzzle every day, it simply means you are giving your dog the confidence in a new skill should he need it.
So why muzzle?
Muzzles are helpful for so many reasons. For some they are a great way to prevent their dog eating everything they come across when on a walk. For others, they offer assurance when the dog has to enter a situation which is stressful to them, like the vets. Muzzles are also a great way to help the owner of a reactive dog relax whilst exposure training takes place. When the owner relaxes, their dog relaxes too and that is a great starting point for positive training. Muzzles aren't the solution but simply a safe guard on the path to a confidant dog.
What type of muzzle?
Whilst there are many muzzle verities out there, I personally recommend the cage muzzle. I believe it is important that a reactive and nervous dog maintains their freedom to express all their emotions, this is their language it's important we don't take that from them. Restriction of these can actually damage a dogs confidence and result in reactive behaviour progressing down the line, usually with even less warning. The cage muzzle allows full face express and full vocal expression. When building a dogs confidence we focus on changing the chemical reaction in the dogs brain, reducing the cortisol released during stress, naturally reducing the physical signs of stress such as snarling and biting. Plus cage muzzles allows the freedom to eat, drink and pant.
The reputation around muzzled dogs is changing. When you are putting a caged muzzle on your dog in a stressful situation, you are showing that you are a responsible dog owner, putting your dog's needs above people's opinions.There are many types of caged muzzles out there, coming in all types of colours and materials. Muzzles don't need to be ugly or scary. And they don't have to be the perminate solution.
If you need help muzzle training your dog or would like some tips on how to start, contact us and we will be happy to help ๐พ