Conditioning Your Dog to a Muzzle

"Before I got the muzzle from you and had access to this training course, I had to go for the quick-and-dirty solution, buying a muzzle from the pet shop and making my dog wear it, without any proper knowledge of how to condition her to the muzzle. Just giving treats through the muzzle when she already had it on obviously didn't make her like it - know I understand why, after having been through this course. I skipped way too many steps, just to quote you, simply because I didn't know it any better.
I was able to transfer the way you use the word 'good' as an indicator of an ongoing task that's being rewarded into other aspects of life/training, which has been a game changer. I'd say my dog is well conditioned to her polymer coated wire muzzle, she plays with it, does her business while wearing it, and even starts wagging her tail when I grab the muzzle from the hook. She hasn't tried very hard to get rid of it at all, nothing compared to when she was wearing the old muzzle. I'm very grateful the muzzle came with this online course, so thank you.
What I liked in general about your philosophy of dog training is the fact that you explain 'your' ways of training but always acknowledge that there might be other reasons for why owners choose to do something different. This has really resonated with me, since that's one of the most inconvenient experiences I have made since training my dog and starting to work with certified dog trainers and volunteer trainers in the dog club. It's confusing if everyone thinks only their way is the right way of doing things, especially if the result (as in what the dog does) proves the opposite.
This was an inspiring sneak peek into what to expect when enrolling into your courses. I have just made the decision to move on with the course on leash reactivity. Thank you."

- Ines L on 12/05/2021

"The most important aspect that I have learned is that using a correctly fit muzzle frees both my dog and me to go forward and learn how to overcome challenges in our lives. The many steps and short sessions with the muzzle on have been very beneficial in training my dog to like the muzzle. I like the option of going through extra steps or just the basics if you don't have time to do everything. The videos are invaluable in helping me to see how to complete each step. I would appreciate more videos geared toward the end-walking on muzzle, playing on muzzle, etc. Overall, super helpful. I appreciated the many pictures of incorrectly fit muzzles vs. correct fit. Especially the video with Cye-great! Thank you for including this training free with my Leerburg muzzle purchase. It goes a long way in making muzzle use a positive tool in training my reactive dog."

- Kathy F on 10/15/2024

"I feel the most important aspect of balance dog training is the opportunity for the dog to make a mistake and then get to try again without a harsh correction. It’s simply, No and basically try again. I think that allows the dog to build a huge amount of confidence in the training process without worrying about a harsh correction when he makes a mistake. This course was very informative on muzzles, their purpose, how to fit them, and above all how to get your dog to enjoy being in them. "

- Erin W on 12/20/2022

"I think the most important take-away from this is getting the dog into the frame of mind that wearing the muzzle is THEIR choice. Dogs love choice as much as people do and forcing them to wear something big and unusual on their face right out of the gate is going to frustrate and/or scare your dog. I have been guilty of this in the past with a muzzle I tried to train with. I bought a new Leerburg and will be following the steps of this course so that my boy loves it. Less stress for both of us that way. Thanks!"

- Kelly C on 05/01/2023

"I had zero experience with muzzles prior to this class, so all of this information was extremely helpful to me. Especially your modules on how to properly size a muzzle for a dog. I thought it was very thorough and very easy to understand."

- Ryan W on 01/16/2023

"This course was amazing to go through. It fit in my life style easy. the modules were done well. Kept me interested and wanting to keep working. And actually take more of the courses. It was well presented, so that the average dog owner and experienced pet dog trainer could follow along.
I also learned there are so many times all types of training cross over. Positive Reinforcement training and LIMA, with Balance training. I did not feel like I would shunned in either "community". It's still about the dogs well being and mental health. Still reinforcing the positive. Giving the dog a chance to make the right choice. And that the word "no" isn't really punishment. I learned to train at my dogs pace, and train the dog in front of me, and that's it's ok to muzzle train all my dogs, for the betterment and what if's that could come in the future. I learned to trust myself as far as what I feel I need to do to train my pup, or allow us a tool to promote a better lifestyle. Muzzles don't solve a root aggression problem, but can give a dog and owner a better life. Imagine how much more fun the dog and owner will have when they can bond and train more and do more things without the fear of biting or accidental ingestion of things. Muzzles are not punishment, especially when conditioned properly. I'm excited to continue working with my dog, and am looking forward to purchasing muzzles for all my dogs to learn and train with...
Thank You so much.
Christine H...
"

- Christine H on 03/17/2022