How to Muzzle a Chow Dog

Chow dogs are lovable but tend to be aloof, making them difficult to muzzle.

While chow dogs are very loving and beautiful animals, they do not tolerate discipline and will not stand for being forced to do something they do not want to do. Therefore, muzzling your chow is a difficult task. This is necessary though, as chows do not like strange people and you run the risk of your dog biting a stranger. Teaching your chow to wear a muzzle at a young age is important in keeping you, your dog and the general public safe.

Things You'll Need

• Muzzle
• Small treats
• Training leash

Instructions

Buying a Muzzle

1. Decide on the right muzzle for your needs. Training muzzles are more sturdy and are usually made of leather, metal, plastic or another rugged material. They are a basket style muzzle, meaning they completely cover the dog's snout. Cloth muzzles are made of soft fabric and simply hold the mouth shut but don't cover it. These are more useful for taking your dog to the vet or the groomer.

2. Find a muzzle for dogs with short snouts. Chows have one of the shortest snouts of any dog, so a standard dog muzzle will not fit them. You need to find a muzzle made specifically for chows and other short-snouted dogs to ensure that the muzzle will fit properly and won't hurt your dog.

3. Read the packaging on the muzzle to make sure it will suit your needs. Muzzles generally fit depending on your dog's weight, and it should say the size on the packaging. There are different muzzles for puppies and older dogs as well. Make certain you are purchasing the right size muzzle for your chow.

4. Test the muzzle's strength. Occasionally cheaper fabric muzzles will not hold up to your dog's strong jaws. If possible, play with the muzzle before purchasing it. Pull on the fabric and make sure that the seams don't fall apart under pressure.

Putting the Muzzle on Your Dog

1. Let your dog get used to the muzzle. Hold it out and allow him to sniff it and examine it. This will show your dog that there is nothing to afraid of.

2. 

   Training your chow to wear a muzzle at a young age makes it easier to put on.

   Put a treat inside the muzzle and let your dog poke its nose in and get it. Do not attempt to fasten the straps; just let your dog slide its nose into the muzzle. When the dog takes the food out, give him positive praise. You should try this several times a day for a week before attempting to put the muzzle on. The goal is to make your dog less afraid of having the muzzle around his snout.

3. When you are ready to attempt to fasten the muzzle, put your dog on a training leash. When your chow attempts to fight against the muzzle, the leash must be used to correct it.

4. Place a treat in the muzzle and, when the dog slides his nose in, fasten the straps. Your chow will not like this, but just say "no" in an authoritative voice and use the leash to correct your dog.

5. Once your chow settles down, take the muzzle off while giving him plenty of positive praise. Due to a chow's moody disposition, this may take some time. The key is patience and authority. Do not take the muzzle off simply because your dog does not like it. A muzzle that fits properly will not hurt your dog.

6. Practice this training regularly until your dog gets used to the muzzle. Chows will take longer than other dogs to train, but if you are persistent with your training it will eventually accept the muzzle. Before you use the muzzle in public, ensure that your dog is completely comfortable wearing it.

Tips & Warnings

• Every time you put the muzzle on your dog, check to see that it still fits correctly. Growth, weight loss or weight gain can change how the muzzle fits. The muzzle should not dig in to your dog's skin.

References

• How to Select a Muzzle For Your Dog
• The Chow Chow
• Size Guide for Chows and Short-Snouted Breeds

Resources

• Muzzles For Chows and Other Short Snouted Dogs