Allow me to demonstrate a fascinating (I think anyway) combinations of 1) the learner should always CHOOSE to engage and 2) dogs communicate with their ENTIRE body, and dog body language is largely generalizable but ultimately dependent on the individual dog. . So here I’m working with Luna on wearing her lovely @bumas_muzzle. (She’s actually great about wearing it but I just like to practice this anyway.) . As you can see, she’s more than willing to shove her face in the muzzle but she starts leaning back and backing up when I go to close the loop around her head. At this point, I should have ended the session or gone back to just treating her for putting her face in the muzzle. Pushing our dogs too far or coercing them into doing something they don’t want to do is bad welfare! . But I SWEAR to you that I did not notice her backing away the first time. I was watching her tail wagging and thinking, Gosh, we’re doing a great job here! Well, my 8-year history with Luna has taught me that actually, her tail wag is not a good indicator of whether or not she’s okay in the moment. She tends to wag when she’s excited and excitement does not equal happy or okay! . (Why is she so uncomfortable putting the loop on when I just said she wears the muzzle just fine a second ago?! Well, I almost never put it on her outside - I usually put it on her in the house and then we go outside (or not). So this is a novel environment for this behavior and that’s why I think she is uncomfortable). . Anyway I finally noticed the second time when she took a more dramatic step back and tossed treats in the grass for her to snuffle, ending the session. We did some other training exercises that she did really well with, which is encouraging to me that I didn’t ruin her evening 😣 #positivereinforcement #forcefreeworks #muzzleupproject #muzzleup #muzzlesarecool #bumasmuzzle #positivereinforcementworks #dogbodylanguage #domorewithyourdog #dogtrainer #dogtraining #dogbehavior #anxiousdog #aggresivedog https://www.instagram.com/p/B-gJVCcJOzg/?igshid=1i8rlof0votjt

I am the PROUDEST DOG MAMA. After hanging out on the couch and cuddling with the muzzle on for about 2 hours, we went on a walk... and he was FANTASTIC! Barely complained about the muzzle, we passed 3 dogs with little more than a long stare(which is SIGNIFICANTLY better and calmer than 90% of the time), and one of those times it was a fellow pittie who barked and startled both him and I! Most surprisingly, he never complained about the muzzle around the other dogs, but rather when it came to sniffing in the bushes. For the first time he pooped AND peed with the muzzle on, and after about 10 minutes he was walking with confidence, something I feel like Boomer is still learning. His head held high, tail relaxed, saying hi to people.... I’m so proud of him and how far he has come. For those of you that still are not aware, #muzzletraining is a crucial skill and muzzles an important tool for some dogs safety and security. I’m not talking about muzzling your dog when he’s been bad. I’m talking about dogs who have had troubled histories and are reactive. Dogs who have some behavior issues and need a helping hand to change and alter those behaviors. Dogs who have a habit of eating stuff on the ground and, lets be honest, surgery is expensive and stressful for everyone involved. Boomer is a reactive #rescuedog who has had a rough past, but it’s obvious that he wants to learn and be better. After yesterday’s walk, I KNOW that I’ve made the best decision for him. I can tell he felt safer and more confident. And who knows, maybe someday he won’t need one at all. ❤️🐶❤️ #muzzleupproject #positivemuzzletraining #dogtraining #prouddogmom #confidentdog #rescuestaffy (at Eugene, Oregon)

Boomer and I are hanging out just chilling on the couch. He fell asleep on my lap after a bit.... I love how relaxed he is right now. I’m so proud of him and everything he has accomplished through all our hard work. He’s had it on for about an hour now, it’s a new record, and it’s the first time he’s fallen asleep. There’s nothing that lots of love and some chicken can’t do. 💗 #positivemuzzletraining #muzzletraining #muzzleupproject #muzzleup #dogs #dogtraining #dogsofinstagram #rescuedog

Boomer is making such great progress with his #muzzletraining and has started becoming comfortable enough in it to lounge on couch and not mess with it! Wow! I am so excited for the future opportunities with him. ❤️ #muzzleupproject #muzzleup #positivemuzzletraining #gooddogs