Training Tip!

It is very important to desensitize your dog to a muzzle even if you do not have handling issues with your dog. When dogs are hurt or they don't feel well they can become aggressive. It would help to have the dog trained to a muzzle before you actually need to use one. Giving your dog a treat as they interact with or when they put their nose in the muzzle is a great way to make the muzzle a positive tool. Yesterday was spa day for our Fernando! He does not like to be handled but he needed a bath, an ear wash and his nails trimmed so out came the muzzle. He is already desensitized to the muzzle and knows it means a great treat is about to come when he wears it. We were able to even pick him up to put him in the tub and finish everything else we needed to do. We fed him grilled chicken pieces through the muzzle as we worked with him. As he learns to trust us we will be able to remove the muzzle and work without it but for now the muzzle helped give him a very positive and safe experience which is just a deposit in the bank of trust for us!

Our Fernando!

The muzzle means time for grilled chicken!!