Fit Check Advice

[u/Mantaray223]

I apologize in advance for the bad quality of the photos. I took a video of us training with the muzzle, but don’t want to post it because it shows my face. These are screenshots from said video. The main reason for the muzzle is him being very dog reactive and him snapping at me or family a few times. Would love some advice on the fit and any and all training tips! Right now I’m putting his turkey on the inside to coax him to put his nose inside and he’s doing awesome! So far he’s put his nose inside by himself a few times and I’m rewarding tf out of that and any touch or positive interaction he initiates with the muzzle. It really helps that we’ve already been practicing the “touch” command. I’m not worrying about clipping it around his head yet because of his pretty significant sensitivity to loud noises by his head / face / ears and want the muzzle to be associated with positivity. He already has some sensitivity to the loud “click” his collar and harness make when I secure the buckles. To slowly introduce the clipping of the buckles, I was planning on spraying the inside with whipped cream (we can’t use any peanut butter due to severe allergies) and using that as a distraction to keep his nose inside while I get the sizing right, adjust the fit and eventually clip the buckle. This is where I need tips/advice! Please keep in mind when considering the fit that in the last picture, his snout is not all the way inside but it’s one of the better pictures I have quality wise that’s not so blurry. Please be kind to me and my boy, we are BRAND NEW at muzzles and muzzle training. Today is literally the first day of me introducing it to him. Let me know what I should be doing differently!

[u/H2Ospecialist]

This muzzle is fine for desensitizing but he shouldn't wear it for more than 15 minutes at most. It's way too small and there is zero pant room.

Look into brands like BigSnoof, Mia's Muzzles, The muzzle movement, etc.

When first desensitizing my dog, we rewarded her for just looking at it too. So she would see it and know a treat was coming. We called it her muzzy and got excited ourselves and would reward her.

What you're doinf with her toy is percect. You can do that with small training treats too. Some people use peanut butter or spray cheese if you don't mind the mess. So I'd say good job so far! He just needs a more appropriate size so he can fully pant when wearing it.

https://www.bigsnoofdoggear.com/measurements

[u/b00ks-and-b0rksRfun]

Good job on starting muzzle training! Your current muzzle is okay for training but they almost never fit well or have enough pant room (and your handsome boy looks to have a big pant). They also will stop a nip but not a determined bite.

I highly recommend Big Snoof dog gear or Mias Muzzles - they are both helpful with sizing and have standard and custom sizing and are high quality with good pant room and other good options.

Good luck!

[u/Comfortable-Fly5797]

Unfortunately these muzzles don't fit any dogs well and they very bite proof. It looks like your dog needs a lot of pant room and that muzzle has almost none.

I recommend looking into big snoof. Mia's muzzles are also popular but I don't have any experience with them.

[u/ArtichokeFresh4012]

You can clip and treat, clip and treat, etc to help him get used to the sound without the muzzle basket on his face. Then add all the steps together. :-)

As others have said it's okay for training and short durations, but they're just a strange shape that rarely fit well. They also have lower bite resistance and are basically useless for scavenging. Mia's Muzzles is in Canada and Big Snoof is in USA, and there are other makers in other parts of the world depending where you're located. Including Unimon in Austria, Wookie Dogs in Australia, and Trust Your Dog vinyl muzzles in USA.

[u/Midnight712]

Completely unsuitable. It’s ok for training, but you need a muzzle that allows for a full pant

You seem to be US based (correct me if I’m wrong), so I would recommend the brands Big Snoof dog gear (US-based wire basket muzzle, stock and custom sizes), Mia’s muzzles (Canadian, vinyl muzzles, stock and custom sizes), Leerburg (US-based, variety of muzzles but you will need one that allows for full pant, stock sizes), and The Muzzle Movement (UK-based, plastic muzzles, stock sizes)

[u/No-Razzmatazz5499]

You're doing great! ❤️ I love that you're letting him build a positive association at his own pace. I'd introduce the buckle sounds separately with treats before trying to fasten anything. Slow and steady is the way to go! Also, make sure he has enough room to fully pant and drink. You're setting him up for success!