I had good luck with introducing the dog to a large soft "beach ball" while wearing the muzzle. Once the dog's prey drive kicks in with the ball they forget all about the muzzle. Of course repetition is realy the key, the ball is just a distraction. I'm sure there are plenty of other ways, this one worked for me.

Brandi,
I have started off with short sessions and eventually making them longer. I usually start by putting on the muzzle and taking the dog for a short quick walk, the ball as Matt mentioned works well. I will increase the length longer as I see the adjustment the dog is making. I have the dog wear the muzzle for a variety things, not just for aggression. I feel good when the dog will sleep comfortably with it on all night, get up go drink water with it on and then stand there and look at you like they are saying, "OK I have wore my European Beauty Mask all night, let's take it off and see if it helped!"

In the beginning, do fun type distractions to help take their mind off of the muzzle being strapped to their face. Patience

Mark Addison

Matt and Mark,

Thank You for your reply. I was starting to get worried cause no one was replying. =(
But you both came through.=)
I will use these methods.
Thank You again, Brandi

PSI'm sure the Vet. says THANK YOU also) =)

hi,
in french ring we have an obedience section with a muzzle. we start by putting treats in the muzzle and letting the dog stick its face in and eat them. we do this until when the dog sees the muzzle it wants to put it on. it takes a little while, but i have seen it work many times.
brandon

Originally posted by Brandi Adkins:
Hi all,
This is my 1st for posting a new topic. Hopefully this questions hasn&#039;t been covered before. Anyhow.. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
I just bought a Jafco muzzle from Leerburg and don&#039;t know the best way to teach my GSD how to wear it without trying to take it off. Any suggestions?
Thanks a bunch, Brandi <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I am going to assume that you are looking at police service with the dog since it is posted in the police section.
The jafco muzzle is OK for intro to a muzzle but NOT for serious muzzle work for police service dogs. Good quality for safety and minor muzzle work and for intro to muzzles though.
The geerman baket weave style is by far a better muzzle fighting tool. For more info see the leerburg muzzle fighting for pSD&#039;s tape.
If the dog is hell bent on taking the muzzle off I will place the dog in acrate with the muzzle for a few minutes. i don&#039;t play or use food unless I have a rank issue for which I need the muzzle.
I also don&#039;t let them alone where they can roll onto their back and get the muzzle off.
once they have worn it for a while I start to go for walks with them. If they try to take it off I walk faster with them on lead (hard to take it off if you need four feet on the ground to keep up).
This continues as I add the muzzle into various other routines. Starting with simple on lead muzzle fighting techniques. I just build from there until the dog is using the muzzle for all phases of the work.

I love using the muzzle, i personally think it brings a k9&#039;s fighting skills way up. my question to Kevin is , when you say you use the muzzle for all aspects of k9 training does that mean bldg. searches ect....?

One thing you can do is put the muzzel on the dog even when you are not training. If you have a patrol unit and he rides with you, put the muzzel on him for about one hour a night and don&#039;t do any training with him. Leave him in the car or just take him out to let him releave himself. I know it is kind of a safety issue because your protection that is always in your unit is now muzzled, but it helps. If you need to, go do some paper work in the office while the muzzle is on him. If he staying in a yard or something other than patrol work, put the muzzel on him when he is just hanging around the house. I had the same problem you are haveing with my old dog. I used this method with my new dog and had great success. Good Luck

At the begining you can put little pieces of thier favorite treat in the muzzle when you first put it on.

Hi Eric,
We do OB, running, searches, tactical work,etc. with a muzzle on (all training-no deployments)..important to have one w/ good ventilation (ie basket muzzle). I do not have a basket muzzle, but my dog does fine with the one I have...just began by putting it on/off him several times & walking fast (not as fast as Kevin-my legs are shorter), making some quick turns, etc...he likes it so much now, that if he sees it out he will carry it & bring it to me to put on him, as he likes the fighting..starts "punching" and swinging his head as I try to get it on him (he is not avoiding it)..as soon as it&#039;s on, if I am standing around w/ his attention not focused on a task, my left thigh gets a quick whack or two from him!! Muzzle work is great!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />