In the coming weeks I’m going to be answering some dog training questions from around the internet. Also, if you have a training or behavior question you would like answered please feel free to email or contact through social media.
Today’s question comes from a pet parent who is struggling to cut their anxious dog’s nails. My “dog nail cutting” techniques and suggestions are in the video below:
Muzzles often come with a stigma. People see them and assume a dog is dangerous or aggressive. However, a muzzle can be an invaluable tool in many situations: vet visits, grooming sessions, injury management, or situations where your dog might feel overwhelmed. Teaching your dog to wear a muzzle using positive reinforcement ensures the experience is stress-free and even enjoyable for your furry friend. With this approach, the muzzle becomes a positive experience. We want your dog to see the muzzle and feel like, “Yeehaw!! My favorite game!” So, here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started.
Positive reinforcement focuses on reinforcing desirable behaviors to encourage your dog to repeat them. It creates an environment of trust and confidence, which is especially important when introducing something unfamiliar like a muzzle. Instead of forcing the muzzle on your dog and causing fear, anxiety, or stress, positive reinforcement helps your dog associate it with good things, like treats, fun, and comfort.
Before training begins, ensure you have the right type of muzzle for your dog. Basket muzzles are often the best choice as they allow dogs to pant, drink, and take treats. It’s also essential that the muzzle fits properly—it should be snug but not too tight, allowing room for comfort and ease of movement.
Start by simply showing the muzzle to your dog. Let them sniff it and explore at their own pace. Each time they voluntarily investigate the muzzle, reinforce them with high-value treats (like chicken or cheese). This teaches your dog to associate the muzzle with something they love.
Once your dog seems comfortable around the muzzle, start encouraging them to place their nose inside it. Begin by smearing something irresistible like peanut butter or cream cheese around the inside of the muzzle. Don’t strap it on yet—just let them freely stick their nose in to lick the treat. Repeat this step several times over a few days to build confidence.
As your dog becomes more comfortable placing their nose in the muzzle, gradually increase the time they keep it there. Treat and reinforce them the longer they stay inside and for offering to put their nose in repeatedly. Vary the time that your dog has their nose inside the muzzle so that the game remains fun and doesn’t become increasingly more difficult. For example, start with one second, then three, then two, then five, and so on. Varying duration is key also so that the “game” doesn’t only become more difficult.Keep sessions short and fun to prevent frustration.
When your dog happily places their nose in the muzzle for extended periods, begin working on getting them used to the feel of the straps. Initially, let the straps rest gently behind their head without fastening them while reinforcing with treats. Then, gradually buckle the straps for a second or two, reinforcing generously. Over time, increase how long the straps are fastened while making a game of chasing treats tossed just a few feet to your left or right. Alternatively you can have them lick something (like peanut butter or cream cheese) while wearing the mussel. Be sure to again vary the time they are wearing it and always remove it before your dog wants to end the game.
Before using the muzzle in a real-world situation, practice having your dog wear it in low-stress environments, like at home while relaxing or during a short walk. Continue to reinforce them frequently while the muzzle is on, so they associate it with positive experiences.
Training your dog to wear a muzzle takes time and patience. Every dog learns at their own pace, so avoid rushing the process or skipping steps. Celebrate small victories along the way and remain consistent. If your dog shows signs of discomfort or fear at any stage, take a step back to the last point of success and rebuild their confidence. Always have your dog move towards the muzzle vs. having the muzzle move towards the dog. This also provides choice and agency in the process-which are primary reinforcers!
Final Thoughts
A muzzle, when introduced properly, can be a helpful and humane tool that ensures the safety and comfort of everyone, including your dog, in certain situations. Using positive reinforcement not only makes muzzle training stress-free but also strengthens the bond between you and your pet. By taking the time to build trust and create a positive association, you’re setting your dog up for a lifetime of confidence and success.
So, grab that bag of treats, stay patient, and approach training with enthusiasm, kindness, and fun—your dog will thank you for it!
Teaching your dog to come when called—also known as a recall—is one of the most important skills any dog guardian can master with their pup. A reliable recall makes is a crucial safety measure in potentially dangerous situations. However, many well-meaning dog families inadvertently make mistakes that hinder their dog’s progress or create confusion during recall training.
If you’ve been struggling to get your dog to come back reliably, you might be falling victim to some common missteps. Here are three big mistakes people make when teaching a recall—and information on how you can avoid them to help your dog excel!
One of the most common mistakes is inadvertently associating recall with negative experiences. It might seem obvious not to shout or punish your dog, but many people unintentionally send mixed signals that discourage their dog from reliably returning.
For instance, imagine you’re at the park and your dog ignores you the first few times you call them (note: this is a clear indication that your dog is not yet ready for off leash recall practice). Once they finally come, you angrily scold them for taking too long or grab them roughly to leash them up. While this might relieve your immediate frustration, it’s counterproductive in the long run. Dogs associate your reaction with their last action; in this case, coming back to you. If returning to you feels punitive, they’ll be less likely to do it next time. The other danger here is that it risks deteriorating your relationship with your dog.
How to Avoid This: Always make coming to you a positive experience, even if it wasn’t instantaneous. Reinforce your dog with praise, treats, or play every time they respond to your call. As you improve you’ll want to change your criteria to set your dog up to come quickly and to reinforce only these fast, fluent responses. By ensuring that recall is tied to good things, your dog will be more enthusiastic about responding to your cue.
Another frequent mistake is calling your dog exclusively in situations they perceive as undesirable. For example, many owners call their dogs only to end playtime, put on a leash, give medication, or leave a fun environment. Over time, your dog learns to associate the recall cue (example: “come!” or their name) with the end of enjoyment—and naturally, they start avoiding it or ignoring your call.
Imagine being at a party and someone repeatedly approaches to interrupt your fun and drag you home. That’s how it feels for your dog if the recall cue always signals the end of play or freedom.
How to Avoid This: Call your dog to you often during positive, low-pressure situations. During playtime, call them periodically, reinforce them generously when they come, and then let them go back to playing. This teaches your dog that responding to you doesn’t always mean the fun is over. Mix recall into their daily routine in neutral or happy circumstances, so they don’t begin associating it solely with unwelcome results.
Training a solid recall doesn’t happen overnight. Unfortunately, many pet owners expect their dog to become proficient at the skill too quickly, progressing to challenging environments before the behavior is fully fluent. Recall requires consistency, repetition, and gradual exposure to distance and (separately) distractions.
For example, if you’ve only practiced recall at home, it’s unrealistic to expect your dog to come back reliably at a busy off-leash park filled with other dogs, squirrels, and unfamiliar smells. Skipping steps in the training process leads to confusion or failure, which can hurt your dog’s confidence and make the behavior less reliable.
How to Avoid This: Break recall training into manageable stages and gradually increase difficulty and (separately) distance. Start in a quiet, distraction-free environment like your living room or fenced backyard. Once your dog responds reliably there, begin practicing in settings with mild distractions, such as a quiet park on a leash or long line. Slowly work up to more challenging scenarios, like areas with other dogs or off-leash situations, but only when you’re confident your dog is ready. Remember also to only raise one criteria at a time. Focus either on distance (how far you are from your dog when you call) or distractions (competition with environmental reinforcers–aka the great outdoors, and/or anything distracting inside like food, other pets, company, novel sounds or smells)/ Be patient—it’s better to take your time and build a strong foundation than rush the process and risk setbacks.
Now that you know some of the most common mistakes, here are a few general tips to help you succeed in teaching recall:
1. Use High-Value Rewards: For recall training, use treats or reinforcers that your dog absolutely loves—something special that they’ll only get for coming when called.
2. Make It a Game: Dogs love having fun. Turn recall into an exciting game by calling your dog in an enthusiastic tone, running away to encourage them to chase you, or mixing in a playful gesture. This helps build a positive association with the cue. Alternatively you toss a treat away and as your dog starts coming back to you give your recall cue. This way you begin to associate the cue with the recall behavior.
3. Be Consistent: Always use the same cue (e.g., “here!”), and avoid calling your dog when you’re uncertain if they’ll respond. Calling them repeatedly without reinforcement only serves to weaken the cue.
4. Set Them Up for Success: Avoid practicing recall in situations where you know your dog is likely to fail, like a crowded park. Build their skills incrementally, just like any other training behavior. Start working indoors, then graduate to outside on a long leash (biothane is recommend and avoid retractable leashes!). Practice in sets of 3-5 and always (always!) reinforce your dog coming to you!
Conclusion
Teaching your dog to come when called is a vital skill that requires patience, consistency, and understanding of how dogs learn. By avoiding common mistakes—such as using punishment, turning recall into a negative experience, or rushing the training process—you’ll set your dog up for success and create a stronger bond in the process. Remember, recall isn’t just about “blind obedience”; it’s about trust and communication and enhancing your relationship with your dog!
With the right approach, your dog will eagerly come running every time you call—tail wagging and ready for whatever comes next. After all, who wouldn’t want that? Happy training!