first time muzzle training , please command - Page 2

Hello Duke...First of all not everyone on here has the same intentions as others...And that should be to learn from one another...It seems to me that you are someone that is very interested in learning from others...As well as it should be...So the people that are irritated for one reason or another should just be ignored and you should continue to ask questions...It's the only way we learn...I think you have been very up-front with your questions and have asked some very good questions...And may I say that you've also gotten some very knowledgeable answers...
I think for a new decoy in particular you must make things very simple...and don't give him/her too many things to think about at one time...In muzzle work there are maybe 2 very simple things that you can ask of the decoy...and 1 thing that you can do...

* First off as the handler you must use the correct type of muzzle and make sure that it's on the dog properly and securely...Pull on it and see if it will move or anyhow come off the dog...(You want to make sure the decoy is safe.)

* Second...Be sure the decoy knows NOT to put his fingers in the muzzle area...You can lose a finger...Also the decoy needs to learn to keep his face away from the dog's head...the dog will use it to try to hurt the decoy...

*Third...Ask the decoy to just fight/wrestle  with the dog...The dog will learn to PUNCH the decoy with his nose/face...The decoy should just act like he's being hurt and must ACT like he's losing the fight...A good decoy is a good ACTOR...

~Bob~