14/11/2025
The success of our muzzle training is built upon a run of games.
The majority of our dogs do not need muzzling in normal day to day life so why do we do it?
We can give a whole list of reasons to this question but there is one answer that sits at the heart of it all...
To protect our dogs from undue stress
In one of my advanced classes this week we had moved on from the handlers health checking their dogs, to the Instructors health checking their dogs - akin to being at a vets.
3 of our wonderful dogs were ill at ease and had the potential under duress to snap.
Under such circumstances there is a real chance a Veterinary Team or other key professionals would make the decision to muzzle your dog.
Now imagine your dog, who is distressed anyway, and never had exposure to a muzzle, suddenly being put in one, and the stress that this might add.
The kindest, fairest and most forward thinking thing we can do, for all concerned, is to fully muzzle train our own dogs in a fun and positive manner. Getting them set up with a good quality muzzle that fits really well and they are familiar with.
Should one ever then be needed, putting it on is a breeze and everybody stays safe.
Of course we can keep putting in the training to get dogs comfortable with handling, but when in pain, when with strangers, when there are time pressures, with all the will in the world, not all dogs will stay calm and steady.
Muzzle training is a way of protecting our dogs in times of need.
