Dogs & Muzzles: Building Solid Relationships
Katenna Jones, ScM, ACAAB, CCBC, CDBC, Certified Fear Free Trainer
All dog trainers and behavior consultants will end up working with muzzles sooner or later. The average progression for most professionals nearly always includes advancing to working with aggression which can be scary for both beginners and experienced trainers. Over time, cases can become increasingly intense, difficult, and dangerous thereby making muzzle training that much more critical. In my many years of training dogs to be comfortable wearing muzzles, I’ve noticed a few pertinent things.
- First, despite all the cases, all the dogs, and all the professionals, nearly every single one of us goes through some version of the same series of steps.
- Second, I’ve heard different versions of the same questions asked over and over again in a variety of ways, on a variety of formats, from a variety of people.
- Third, I’ve cringed while watching so many videos of what I would consider less than ideal technique or approaches. I say this not because I’m at all special, but because I have been there! I know what that mistake can eventually turn into or where progress may start to fall apart.
All of this made me think, wouldn’t it be helpful if I could compile my own collection of experiences, tips, circumstances, and advice that I’ve learned, or screwed up and had to fix, or borrowed from someone else for my toolbox. And thus, was born this self-paced muzzle training course.
This course is by no means intended to be the gold standard of all muzzle-related information. Rather it’s a review of what has worked for me in my own professional experience. It begins with the most basic of information and skills. Take note that these are not intended only for newbies but for anyone who works with muzzles and dogs because these steps happen to be the most important. Unfortunately, they also tend to often be rushed or skipped entirely. The course builds upon that foundation and toward more advanced, complex situations that will not only help with those specific examples but get you thinking about new ways you might be able to approach your unique cases.
Course Contents
Module 1: Blueprint
Module one is a review of how muzzles should, and should not, be utilized as well as what situations are appropriate for their use. The limitations of, and potential applications, of muzzle use will also be examined. (Module – Training: Instruction Skills, Training: Equipment, Behavior: Consulting Skills & Best Practices)
Module 2: Work Site Safety
Module two consists of an overview of safety features, as well as tips and recommendations for when to use (and when to require!) muzzles with client dogs. (Module – Training: Instruction Skills, Training: Equipment, Behavior: Biology and Anatomy, Biology: Health, Development, Life Stages, Behavior: Consulting Skills & Best Practices, Training: Animal Husbandry)
Module 3: Materials & Design
Module three touches on a wide variety of muzzle styles, types, and materials. (Module – Training: Instruction Skills, Training: Equipment, Behavior: Biology and Anatomy, Biology: Health, Development, Life Stages, Behavior: Consulting Skills & Best Practices, Training: Animal Husbandry)
Module 4: Fittings
Module four focuses specifically on recommendations for a proper, safe, and comfortable fit for the average dog as well as those with unique head shapes. (Module – Training: Instruction Skills, Training: Equipment, Behavior: Biology and Anatomy, Biology: Health, Development, Life Stages, Behavior: Consulting Skills & Best Practices, Behavior: Learning Theory, Training: Animal Husbandry)
Module 5: Laying the Foundation
Module five introduces the beginning steps of training a dog to enjoy the muzzle, including reinforcer options and delivery suggestions. It also addresses dealing with pre-existing negative associations. (Module – Training: Instruction Skills, Training: Equipment, Behavior: Consulting Skills & Best Practices, Behavior: Learning Theory)
Module 6: Installation
Module six picks up where module five left off and breaks down the process of training a dog to voluntarily choose to put their faces into a muzzle, allow straps to be manipulated, and clipped. (Module – Training: Instruction Skills, Training: Equipment, Behavior: Consulting Skills & Best Practices, Behavior: Learning Theory)
Module 7: Finishings
Module seven builds upon the previous module to advance from simply clipping the muzzle to actually functioning in the muzzle. Content includes increasing time in muzzle while decreasing food delivery as well as moving, eating, and drinking while in muzzle. working with dogs who guard, are body sensitive, or are somehow more complex to train. Also included are tips for working with kids and with resistant clients. (Module – Training: Instruction Skills, Training: Equipment, Behavior: Consulting Skills & Best Practices, Behavior: Learning Theory)
Module 8: Final Walkthrough
Module nine wraps up with a review of course content, resources, and where to go next. (Module – Training: Instruction Skills, Training: Equipment, Behavior: Consulting Skills & Best Practices, Behavior: Learning Theory)
About Your Instructor: Katenna Jones, ScM, ACAAB, CCBC, CDBC, Certified Fear Free Trainer
Katenna Jones accidentally discovered her career as a volunteer dog walker in the late nineties. A few years later she earned her master’s from Brown University where she studied animal behavior, learning and cognition. Today, Katenna is an Associate Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, Certified Cat and Dog Behavior Consultant, and a Fear Free Trainer. Katenna previously worked for American Humane, the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, and as a cruelty investigator. Now she provides cat and dog behavior consultations through Jones Animal Behavior.
Katenna’s main passion is teaching locally, internationally, and online. She regularly contributes to various media outlets, is a published author, and shares her RI home with her cats, ducks, chickens and honey bees.
Course Details
- Approved for 4 CEUs through IAABC, KPA and PPG. Approved for 2 behavior CEUs and 0 trainer CEUs through the CCPDT.
- $89 with lifetime access
- 10% discount available for IAABC & PPG members and for shelter staff/volunteers – email [email protected] for details.