How to Muzzle Train a Dog: A Step-by-Step UK Guide

Dogs Trust gives four reasons:

• Safety when a dog is frightened, ill or injured. Fear and pain change how a dog behaves. If your dog is already muzzle trained, a vet can care for them quickly and safely in an emergency.
• Stopping them eating things that could harm them. That covers dogs on strict diets and dogs who try to eat everything.
• Keeping dogs and the people around them safe. A muzzle can be essential for a dog known to behave aggressively in certain situations, or one who has learnt to chase and catch.
• When the law says so. More on that below.

Blue Cross says even a very laid-back dog can snap when they’re in pain, so preparing is sensible. Cornell’s vet school says all dogs can benefit from learning to wear one, and puppyhood is an ideal time to start, though any age can learn.

No, and this is the bit people miss. Dogs Trust is clear that a muzzle won’t change how your dog feels about a trigger, so you should still try to avoid situations that worry them. Being put in a scary situation is unpleasant for your dog and could make their behaviour worse in the long term. A qualified behaviourist can help change how your dog feels.

Think of a muzzle as a safety net while you do the real work.

If you’re also working on walks, my posts on where to walk a reactive dog in Heywood and how to stop dog pulling on the lead are a good next read.

Choose one your dog can eat, drink and pant through. Dogs Trust, Blue Cross and PDSA all point to basket-style muzzles for this reason. Panting is how dogs cool down, so a muzzle that holds the mouth shut isn’t suitable for walks. PDSA says those should only be used for a few minutes, such as at the vets, because longer can cause distress and even heatstroke.

My pick is the Baskerville Ultra (check today’s price). Blue Cross names the Baskerville style as an example, and Cornell’s vets list the Baskerville Ultra by name. It’s also on my recommended page. I can’t tell you which size your dog needs, so use the maker’s size guide and the fit checks below.

How do I check the fit?

PDSA’s checks are simple:

• There’s roughly 1cm between your dog’s nose and the end of the muzzle.
• Your dog can open their mouth fully to pant and drink.
• The straps aren’t too tight, and you can slip one finger underneath.
• Your dog can’t shake or pull the muzzle off.

Blue Cross adds that the nose-piece shouldn’t rub or get in the way of their eyes. Dogs Trust says that if it rubs, you can try wrapping a non-irritant fabric around the inside of the nose-piece. Flat-faced breeds such as Pugs and French Bulldogs need extra care, because a muzzle can make breathing worse. PDSA says to speak to your vet if you have one.

Dogs Trust says its method may not suit you if your dog can resource guard food or isn’t comfortable with people near their bowl. It says to contact an accredited behaviourist, or its free Behaviour Support Line. If your dog struggles with having their face or head touched, work on that first with a qualified professional.

Pick a quiet, familiar place when you’re both relaxed. Have small, tasty treats ready, or something lickable such as squeezy cheese or pâté. Dogs Trust suggests a tube of paste so you can reward through the muzzle more easily. A treat pouch and clicker keeps treats within reach, though a pocket works too.

Keep sessions short. Cornell suggests 5 to 10 minutes, and Blue Cross says a few minutes is plenty at first. The most important rule is that your dog is always free to take their nose out and walk away.

1. Meet the muzzle.

   Hold it behind your back, bring it into view, and when your dog looks at it, reward them. Repeat lots of times (Dogs Trust).

2. Treats in and around it.

   Put the muzzle on the floor with treats around it, then pop a treat just inside the opening. PDSA also suggests giving meals next to it for a few days.

3. Nose in.

   Hold the muzzle still at nose height and let your dog come to it. Don’t push it towards them (Dogs Trust, Cornell). Move the treats further in until they happily put their nose right in.

4. Wait for the nose.

   Show the muzzle with no treat inside. When your dog puts their nose in, reward through the gap at the end (Dogs Trust, Cornell).

5. Build the time.

   Pass treats through the end while they choose to stay. If they seem unsure, go back to a step where they were relaxed (Dogs Trust).

6. Practise the click.

   Close the buckle a few times at a distance and reward when your dog hears it. Move closer gradually (Dogs Trust, Blue Cross).

7. Straps.

   Hold the straps behind their ears without fastening, then drape them loosely. Dogs Trust says to extend the straps to their loosest first.

8. Fasten, treat, unfasten.

   At first, fasten it, reward and take it off right away. Then build up the seconds (Blue Cross, PDSA).

9. Add movement.

   Take a step or two backwards and reward your dog for coming with you. Then try short walks around the house, then the garden (Dogs Trust, Blue Cross).

10. Go outside.

    Once they’re relaxed indoors, try a quiet walk. Dogs Trust says to keep early walks short and to carry treats or paste to reward calm behaviour.

Blue Cross says to give treats only while the muzzle is on, and to stop when it comes off, so your dog links the muzzle with tasty things. Dogs Trust suggests planning the activity first, such as a ‘find it’ game, so there’s no delay once it’s on.

How long does it take?

PDSA says to work at your dog’s pace, in several short sessions over a few weeks. I won’t promise a timeframe, because it depends on your dog.

• They won’t go near it. Put the muzzle on the floor and drop treats near it. Move them closer as their confidence grows. If they’re still worried, Dogs Trust says to speak to your vet, who may suggest an accredited behaviourist.
• They paw or rub at it. Distract them with something else, take it off and go back to a stage where they were relaxed. Next time, go slower (Dogs Trust, Blue Cross). Don’t tell them off (PDSA).
• Skin looks sore, or they can’t eat and drink in it. The size, shape or material may be wrong. Speak to your vet (Dogs Trust).
• You need to muzzle your dog before they’re ready. Dogs Trust says to use a completely different style of muzzle for that short job, so your dog’s own training isn’t undone. Your vet may have a selection.

• Do refresh the training every so often, even for dogs who wear one daily (Dogs Trust), and wash the muzzle after each use (Cornell).

• Don’t skip the training and put it straight on. PDSA says that’s likely to scare them and make it harder each time.
• Don’t use it as a punishment (PDSA).
• Don’t leave your dog alone wearing one. PDSA and Cornell warn that they could get caught, chew it or swallow pieces.

In most cases, no. GOV.UK says the banned types of dog in the UK are the Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro and XL Bully. A banned dog with a valid Certificate of Exemption must be kept on a lead and muzzled at all times in public. GOV.UK says whether a dog counts as a banned type depends on what it looks like, so check its page if you’re unsure.