
Using the muzzle is mandatory for breeds considered as "potentially dangerous" by law.However, if our dog shows aggressiveness or tends to eat everything it finds on the ground, it can be a very effective tool when working on behavior modification and avoiding any accident.
That Yes, you should know that the use of the muzzle as a method of punishment is not recommended since it can have serious consequences, thus affecting animal welfare.In this article of Animals and Pets Online we explain how to accustom a dog to the muzzle step by step with different tools and tricks.Find out below!
1.Choose the appropriate muzzle
To begin with you should know that the most suitable muzzle for the dog is the "basket" type like the one shown in the image.Unlike of the cloth ones, these allow the dog to breathe properly, gasp, drink water or receive treats.If you are interested in knowing more, discover in Animals and Pets Online the different types of muzzle that exist in the market.
Of all In the muzzles of the market, we recommend Baskerville mainly, since it has a protective band to avoid discomfort, it is highly safe and fulfills the aforementioned functions.

2.Make your dog associate the muzzle positively
It is important not to put the muzzle directly to the dog if you are not familiar with it, since that entails a great possibility of failure.The animal will feel upset and confused, we better go step step by step.
Through the use of positive reinforcement, our dog will associate the muzzle with a pleasant experience that combines treats, prizes and affectionate words.To do this, before starting work, you should get prizes for dogs.You can use prepared snacks that you will find in any pet products store or small chicken pieces.
We will start teaching you the muzzle (without putting it on) and rewarding each time to approach him .It is best that you start with your hands on your back and take out the muzzle and then reward him, then you will hide your hand again.Make short sessions of 2 or 3 minutes a couple of days.

3.Make a gradual process
Once our dog associates seeing the muzzle with treats, we will go one step further.Now we will leave a prize at the bottom of the muzzle and allow our dog to finish the snout inside to catch it , always without forcing it.
We will follow the same process that we did in the previous step: we will keep it in the back, we will teach it, we will put the prize, we will let it take it and then we will hide it in the back to repeat the exercise again.We will do short sessions of 2 to 3 minutes for two or three days.
When we observe that our dog associates the muzzle properly and puts the snout inside without fear , we can see that we tie it while taking the prize.

4.Practice in short periods of time
Once your dog is fully accustomed to putting the snout in the muzzle and letting you tie it halfway we are going to bind it permanently .At this time, it is important that you have the prizes prepared and that you will be offering rewards on a regular basis .The maximum time will be one minute.
You can repeat this exercise several times a day but it is important that with the passage of go days spacing the reward time and minutes that the muzzle is wearing.

5.Generalizes the use of the muzzle
Once the dog is well associated with the muzzle, it will be essential to work it in different situations , so we recommend you do the same exercises (starting with point number 1) in other places, such as the street, a dog park, someone else's home...Everything goes! The important thing is that the experience is always positive and that it is carried out gradually.
Tips and recommendations
It is very important that work daily this exercise if you want your dog to associate the muzzle in a positive way.Remember that it is a long process that can last up to two weeks calmly.Additionally, dogs that have associated the muzzle in a negative way may take longer to associate it well, in these cases we recommend you to be patient and buy another muzzle so that the presentation is more positive.
Other details to consider can be:
- Never force the muzzle, the goal is for the dog to want to put the muzzle.
- Avoid using muzzle in specific situations, for example in the veterinarian.It is recommended that you use it every two or three days so that you do not associate it with negative moments.
- The muzzle is not a punishment tool, you should not use it to treat him and you should never muzzle him when he is left alone to prevent him from destroying the furniture.
- Avoid putting a muzzle on it for too long, it should take 30 to 60 minutes at most.Every time it is important to remove it and let it rest.
- If your dog tries to take off the muzzle during this process it is that you are going too fast, go back to the previous point and practice on a daily basis.
If you follow our advice and do not press your dog you will achieve very positive results However, if the process is complicated and your dog does not seem to accept the use of the muzzle in any way, it is best to go to a professional.
If you want to read more articles similar to  How to accustom a dog to the muzzle? , we recommend that you enter our Basic Education section.
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