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Muzzle training videos
Hi!
I know there was a post a little bit ago about muzzle training, but can not find it now so…
I thought I would share some recent real life muzzle training clips with Barkley and his dad, Steve. They are from the same single session just different “sets”. We had been at this stage of muzzle training for just about a month with him. Keep in mind he has been showing fear, anxiety, stress, frustration, and has developed some body handling concerns. It is important to train at each dog’s pace.
What do you see? What you would change? What are some things we may be working on specifically here? Pros, cons, anything! How would you progress to the next stage for a dog like Barkley? (I will share my progression in a later post)
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20 Replies
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This is such nice, calm work, @jenz – great job! I’ll wait to jump in with my thoughts -but just wanted to say WOWZA! I’m so glad you brought these videos and discussion to our community!
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Also – was this the post you were thinking about, regarding muzzle training? I found it by searching using the search function. Hope it helps!
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@catherine Yes! thank you!
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Great work, both with letting Barkley set the pace and the calm, pleasant tone of your voice while you were coaching the session @jenz!
I noticed good progression in how the handler presented the muzzle. In the first clip, there was a bit of forward motion toward Barkley but by the third, the muzzle looked quite steady on the handler’s knee, which allows Barkley the freedom to choose to put his nose in the muzzle instead of allowing the muzzle to be moved onto his nose.
I’m working muzzle training with a client and their dog just now and this week we saw our first clear CER (Conditioned Emotional Response); the dog’s tail is wagging while their nose is in the the muzzle!
Have you seen any of these sorts of responses from Barkley?
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These are great video demos! A note to the community – similar techniques can be used for getting a dog acclimated to wearing a head halter.
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I so agree @david – nose targeting is a great way to teach dogs they can actively consent to wear walking apparatus! I have been working with a family who adopted a semi-feral dog who is learning to put on her slip leash – instead of having someone try to put it on her. It seems to be far less stressful for her than having someone reaching for her collar to snap on a lead just now.
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@jenwalker
Thanks for your feedback and question!
I did notice that the muzzle was close to Barkley however I will say that he does come up close to start with! I find myself leaning back or pulling my hands back just to clear his head position at times presenting it! This is Steve’s first dog (my sister and I had dogs our entire lives). Steve is learning too, so a perfect example of real life training of the human and the dog for sure.
I think we have seen a shift in his CER, with the fact he does move closer in now, I think in anticipation, also his eyes are on the muzzle more and he performs auto sits, as you see in two videos during his break times between sets. I rarely cue sits during training to give the dog more choice and freedoms. From where we started, these are his changes!
I am glad to hear the pup you are working with is making significant progress!
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Being able to review these sessions can be critical, for trainers and clients alike. Those subtle shifts
his eyes are on the muzzle more and he performs auto sits
can be easy to miss without these playbacks.
I’ll see if I can share a video of Atticus (the dog I mentioned) and his super cute little tail-wag while he holds his nose in his muzzle. The funny thing about was that his owner hadn’t noticed it before I pointed it out. That realization prompted her to start taking videos of their sessions.
Thank you again for sharing this journey with us!
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This is an example of how I progressed with Barkley. I am simply touching the strap and moving it outwards a bit.
More to come as he progresses!
Stay tuned…..
0:33
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Love this simple and patient step, @jenz – way to break down the elements of Barkley’s continued success. It’s amazing how quickly we can go, when we go slowly. 🙂 Well done.
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We have finally made it to the next progression trials! (after 2 months)
Please keep in mind Barkley is struggling with high levels of general anxiety and other concerns. Although this videos is not perfect, I am taking advantage of the opportunities when he offers the behavior and is willing to train. He started really responding to affiliative type rewards (pets, praises and my voice) just prior to this video so I decided to keep that momentum going here.
He is under the care of a VB, too so lots happening behind the scenes with meds and side effects.
In my opinion, this is one relevant “speed bump” we will be encountering with our clients at some point, depending on the areas of training and behavior you will be working in.
Thanks for your patience!
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@jenz THIS IS AMAZING! I LOVE how squishy he is and agree that he truly loves the high pitched voice, happy pets and close touching more than the food. Absolutely inspiring work. Just lovely. Thanks so much for this update and your dedication to him.
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@programdev Thanks so much for your kind words and encouragement.
Barkley and dogs like him are the soul ❤ (not sole ????) reason of why I wanted to dive into training dogs displaying fear and aggression. They remind me how much there is to learn and, they are the true teachers of behavior.
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Thank you for sharing this one @jenz – the obvious shared trust is truly beautiful to watch!
Letting our dogs lead this complicated and often non-linear dance seems to make all the difference in getting where we are going as a joyful team together. As we have all seen, trying to DO things to our dogs instead of doing things WITH them does not generate this emotional bond. I’m just now reading “Reaching the Animal Mind” by Karen Pryor and am reminded the debt of gratitude we as trainers owe to her and the other pioneers who have lead us to this method of training!
Might I inquire what side effects you are seeing related to the medication that Barkley is taking is? Is that the possible “speed bump” you were referring to?
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@jenwalker
Thank you for your words ” trying to DO things to our dogs instead of doing things WITH them does not generate this emotional bond”. This is so valid!
The side effects of his meds was primarily lethargy. We were also seeing suppression of appetite. With that, he was likely drinking less or he was holding his bladder and bowels- no accidents but also not utilizing his potty breaks. He was not as affiliate or engaging with us.
So, we had a dog that wanted to sleep all the time with little interest in his meals or treats. It made training, even practicing previously strong behaviors, very difficult. There was little opportunity to work on DS/CC because he had no motivation.
He was off the meds for three days- we noticed we had the “old” Barkley back complete with the high anxiety etc. but, willing to eat, train and engage. He has been on new meds for 2 days now. We will give it about 2-3 weeks to see if any side effects.
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This is SO beautiful! ????
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Slow and steady wins the muzzle training sessions, right?
Still no where near keeping the muzzle on him for any duration but….
Also, considering the negative associations that occur when we attempt to use one at the vet, Barkley seems to enjoy the training still! We are the point of a fun little game of waiting to move into the muzzle with distance! There is a little frustration/stress at times but, I think that will always be him. He will always be a sensitive pup in my opinion.
0:26
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That was beautiful!!!!
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Yay Barkley! ????
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Wow @jenz this is soooooo wonderful to see. What an improvement!! Simply beautiful work. Thanks so much for sharing!
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