Montreal dog trainers urge pit bull owners to start muzzle-training

Pit bull owners who haven't already been preparing their dog to wear a muzzle could be facing an uphill battle once the new bylaw comes into effect Monday, Montreal dog trainers say.

"The longer you wait, the more difficult it's going to be," said GinetteHeppelle, a canine behavioural specialist who runs the companyDogologue.

"Of course the worst thing you can do istake your dog out for a walk and just slap the muzzle on and expect it to be okay."

The bylaw was passed on Tuesday by Montreal's city council.

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Heppelle says she hasalready trained about half a dozen pit bulls to wear muzzles over the past few months.

"You just have to take the time to work on it," she said.

"To take something that the dog could potentially find stressful and make it fun."

Muzzle parties

Amanda McKernanstarted training her 10-year-old dog Kristalmore than a month ago.

She started slowlyby showing Kristalthe muzzle and giving her treats, to create a positive association in the dog's mind.

Eventually, she worked her way up to what she calls "surprise muzzle parties."

"Run in the house, grab the muzzle, make it as exciting as possible," said McKernan. "Run around the house and just keep giving treats along the way."

"Everytime she sees that she wants to see the muzzle because she wants this to happen."

Other tricks include feeding the dog a treat through the hole in themuzzlewithout strapping it onto the pet'shead.

"I lathered it in peanut butter on the inside, just to make sure it was the right size when they tried it on the first time," said Sabrina Mignacca, a dog trainer who has muzzle-trained her two dogssince Julyin preparation for the new bylaw.

After a few days, Milo and Ivy would put their faces into the muzzle voluntarily and tolerate having the straps tightened.

"Walking in it thoughhas still been a bit difficult. Ivy will try to pull it off," said Mignacca. "So I've been trying to do little games with itso that she can like it more."

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While McKernan's dog has gotten used to wearing the muzzle on her walks, some of her favourite activities, including fetch,are now off-limits.

"To think of her losing her quality of life sucks,"McKernan said. "But she's a smart girl and she's enjoying it as much as you canbecause that's what I'm telling her to do."

Basket muzzle safer than nylon

Both trainerssaid owners should also opt for a basket muzzle instead of a nylon, tube-shaped muzzle that fits firmly around the snout.

"The dog can't pant with it, it can't open its mouth, it can't drink water, it can restrict breathing," saidHeppelle.

She added the nylon model is designed for short-term use such as during veterinarian visits.

"So you definitely don't want to be putting those muzzles on your dog for long periods of time outside, especially when it's hot."

Heppelle said owners should measure the size of their dog's head and make sure whatever model they buy fits comfortably, but firmly. It shouldn't be squeezing the face, but it should also not be able to slip off.

Big dogs need training too

Owners of other large dogs should also betraining them in wake of the bylaw, according toHeppelle.

Under the new bylaw, owners of dogs that weigh more than 20 kilogramsmust use a halter or harness when walking their dog.

"And those kinds of things can also be as stressful as wearing the muzzle," she said."You see the dogs all the time rubbing their faces on everything that's around: the trees, the people, the grass. They're trying to rub it off."

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