Why Muzzle Train?
__________Stress Free Vet Visits
Did you know that your dog may need to be muzzled for veterinary visits/tests/procedures? It is important that they are really comfortable with being muzzled so that they do not experience stress at the vet.
Emergencies
When dogs are in pain, they often don’t know why, and can be snappy. If you dog is already terrified, the last thing you want to do is add to their terror with a new and/or uncomfortable muzzle. If your dog feels comfortable and safe in their muzzle, they won’t feel extra stress when they need it for safety reasons.
Dogs Who Eat Things on Walks
If your dog eats non-food items voraciously on walks, it is worth consulting with a behavior professional. For some dogs, this is an ongoing challenge, and a muzzle can be very useful for the dog’s safety! If you are waiting to see a behavior professional for this issue, please don’t delay on muzzle training. It could save your dog’s life.
Aggression Cases
If your dog has snapped at people or dogs before, it is very important to seek expert behavior help. For the majority of cases, this course will help you fast track positive reinforcement based muzzle training so you can spend the time you have with your professional focusing on and tackling the tough stuff. There can also be wait time to get into the schedule of a qualified behavior professional, so you can begin this course right away. If you feel unsure or unsafe at any point with muzzle training, wait to proceed until you have consulted with your behavior professional. Even then, the materials in this course will likely compliment your program.
Why Take This Course?
__________Methodical Positive Reinforcement Steps at a Very Low Cost
There is no reason to slap a muzzle on a pup without careful training first. This course is affordable and detailed to ensure that you are equipped with the knowledge and protocols to make sure you aren’t causing your dog stress, or using a muzzle in an inappropriate way.*
*For example, we do not recommend using a muzzle on a dog for prolonged periods of time as a replacement for safety, management, and training programs; and/or for the purpose of placing a dog in situations they are not equipped to handle.
Go Back a Step as Needed
You can always go back to the core games of this course to ensure your dog is always happy, safe, and comfortable when wearing their muzzle. There are lots of games and suggestions on how you can make the muzzle a positive experience long-term, without regressing.
Learn all About the Best Equipment
So often the wrong muzzle or the wrong treats lead to really unpleasent experiences. Learn how to get the best muzzle for your dog, which treats to use, and how to avoid common equipment pitfalls.
Packed with Footage, Easy Training, and Information
This course is loaded with real life footage (no highlight reels! Dogs shown in the videos have had past poor experiences with muzzles at veterinary offices, dogs shown aren’t newbie pups), training that is very easy to follow and implement, and information that is completely positive-reinforcement based, easy to implement, and relaxing for you and your dog.
Compliments Behavior Programs
This can be taken in conjunction with any other positive reinforcement based course or private training program.
Are muzzles cruel?
This is a great question! A muzzle is not an intrinsically cruel tool, however, there are ways that a muzzle can be used that can be inhumane, and there are styles of muzzles that can be very uncomfortable and restrictive. For these reasons, many people carry negative associations with muzzles. Using a muzzle to put a dog in unfair, stressful, or unsafe situations is not humane. Using a muzzle that restricts a dog’s ability to breathe, pant, drink, be fed treats, or bark is not humane. Slapping a muzzle on a dog for prolonged periods just to avoid addressing and working on behavior issues is not humane.
This course details how to get set up with a properly fitted muzzle that will allow your dog to do everything that comes naturally to them: drink, pant, bark, be fed treats, breathe; but will inhibit their ability to bite and cause harm, and in some cases, to consume dangerous materials from the ground on walks.
The intention of this course is to help you introduce your dog to the muzzle in a positive way, and the curriculum of this course be used long-term to ensure your dog’s experience remains positive, long-term. This course is taught by a positive reinforcement based, certified professional dog trainer and certified dog behavior consultant. This course can be taken in conjunction with and can greatly complement any other positive reinforcement based course or private training program.
Emma Kesler, CDBC, CPDT-KA is an award-winning certified dog behavior consultant and certified professional dog trainer. Emma has been coaching clients around the world for a decade, and is known for her engaging instruction style and focus on "tricky to train dogs."