Choose and fit
- Basket-style muzzles allow panting, drinking and treats; avoid cloth or restrictive muzzles for anything but very brief vet use
- Measure your dog's snout length, circumference and height, and compare to the maker's size chart
- Check fit: the dog should be able to open its mouth a bit and pant, and the muzzle shouldn't rub
Step by step
- 1
Muzzle = treats
Show the muzzle, give a treat. Repeat many times until your dog looks happy when it appears.
- 2
Nose in
Hold treats inside the basket so your dog puts their nose in voluntarily. Don't fasten.
- 3
Feed through
Add treats through the front of the basket while the nose is in.
- 4
Fasten for a moment
Clip the strap for one second, treat, then unclip. Build up seconds, then minutes.
- 5
Add activity
Short walks, play and settling while muzzled, then longer wear.
- 6
Practice often
Several short sessions a day for weeks. Keep it fun.
Common mistakes
- Using it only in stressful situations, which makes it a bad sign
- Rushing the steps
- Choosing a poorly fitted muzzle
- Expecting it to solve the behavior problem
- Leaving a dog muzzled in heat or unattended
Learn more
The Muzzle Up! Project at muzzleupproject.com offers free training resources. Buying guidance is in our gear guide.
You don't have to figure this out alone.
Tell us what's happening. There's no judgment here. If you'd like, we'll pass your request to independent behavior professionals near you who work with aggression and reactivity. It's free and confidential on our end, and you're under no obligation.
- No judgment, ever
- Free to request, no obligation
- Independent behavior professionals, not affiliated with this site
- If someone is in immediate danger, call 911