You should start accustoming your puppy to a muzzle as early as possible, preferably from 2-3 months of age.
This will make the process gradual and comfortable for your pet.
First, give your puppy time to get used to the muzzle itself. Place it nearby during play or feeding.
Let the puppy sniff and touch with his paws. Then put on the muzzle for a short time, remove it and reward with a treat.
Gradually increase the time the muzzle is worn. Monitor the puppy's reaction - if it is nervous, take breaks.
Use tasty treats to create a positive association.
Praise your puppy in a calm voice during training. Do not leave him alone in a muzzle without supervision.
Use the muzzle periodically at home to maintain the habit. Once the puppy learns to walk calmly in the muzzle, you can start going outside.
Before the first walk in a muzzle, make sure it is put on correctly and does not restrict the puppy's movements. Be sure to take treats with you.
Start with a short 10-minute walk in a quiet place. Don't rush into crowded areas right away. Encourage and reassure your pet as needed.
Gradually increase the time of walks. You can add stops - take off the muzzle, give water to drink, play. Monitor the puppy's well-being.
When he gets used to walking in a muzzle, you can go out to places with a lot of people and dogs. But avoid potentially dangerous situations so as not to traumatize the animal's psyche.
It is important to constantly praise and reinforce the desired behavior. The muzzle should be associated only with positive things. Never punish the puppy for trying to take it off.
When your pet learns to walk calmly in a muzzle, gradually increase the time of walks to the necessary. Such a gentle approach will allow you to make the muzzle a familiar part of your puppy's life.
In the future, you need to make sure that the muzzle is always clean and comfortable for the puppy. Regularly check whether the straps are rubbing the pet's neck. As the puppy grows, the muzzle may become tight - replace it with a larger size.
Use the muzzle regularly, regardless of the circumstances. This way, the puppy will not perceive it as a punishment or a signal of alarm.
Practice wearing a muzzle at home periodically. Give your puppy treats and toys in a muzzle. It is also important that other family members can safely put the muzzle on the puppy.
Don't forget to reward the desired behavior on walks. If the puppy is nervous about meeting other dogs, distract and calm him down. Over time, such situations will become habitual.
The main thing is to be patient and consistent. Getting used to a muzzle takes time, but the right approach will ensure that your pet feels calm and comfortable in the muzzle. And this is important both for the safety of others and for the well-being of the puppy itself.
Earlier we talked about how to care for a turtle in winter.
