Earlier this month, The Muzzle Movement had the pleasure of visiting Rain Rescue in Rotherham to deliver a free muzzle education session for their dedicated team of staff and volunteers.

Rain Rescue is a small, independent animal charity with a big heart, working tirelessly to improve the lives of vulnerable cats and dogs across South Yorkshire.

 Based at their rescue centre, they focus on animals most at risk, whether that’s stray dogs facing euthanasia in council kennels, pets needing to be rehomed due to crisis, or animals requiring urgent veterinary care.

Our session was attended by 14 members of the Rain Rescue team, including both staff and volunteers. Over the course of the visit, we explored a wide range of muzzle-related topics, from their everyday uses in a rescue setting, to the key features that make a muzzle safe, comfortable and fit for purpose. We discussed how to check for a good fit, what to look for when assessing comfort and security, and how to make simple adjustments using straps or padding to better suit individual dogs.

A key part of the session focused on introducing muzzles positively, particularly for dogs who may arrive at the rescue frightened, unsure or unused to handling.

We shared practical, force-free methods to build confidence, using desensitisation, food rewards, and consent-based interactions. We also tackled some of the more common challenges that can crop up when muzzle training, such as dogs pawing at the muzzle and ensuring the dog is comfortable with the straps being fastened.

To bring the session to life

We fitted two wonderful dogs currently in Rain Rescue’s care, Tommy, a sweet natured Rottweiler, and Odin, a lurcher with major zoomies! Both provided valuable teaching moments and helped us demonstrate how the different areas to assess when fitting a muzzle.

Everyone involved was incredibly engaged and eager to learn. We had thoughtful, practical questions throughout. The openness of the team and their genuine commitment to the dogs in their care made for a really positive, collaborative atmosphere.

As Annie and Becky said afterwards:

“We thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to meet the dedicated and welcoming staff and volunteers at Rain Rescue, we were over the moon that they were all so muzzle positive, and anyone there who didn't have much experience with muzzles was really open and eager to learn more.”

Bethan, a member of the Rain Rescue team, kindly shared this lovely feedback following the session:

“I just wanted to say a huge thank you for the fantastic session today. It was really informative and well-delivered, and I’m happy to say that all our staff and volunteers have come away feeling much more confident about helping our dogs feel comfortable and confident wearing muzzles. Your insights and practical tips were incredibly valuable and will definitely make a positive difference in our work. Also, a big thank you for the generous donation of muzzles, they will be a great help as we put what we’ve learned into practice.”

At The Muzzle Movement, we believe that education and access to the right tools are key to improving canine welfare, especially in environments where dogs may be experiencing stress, trauma or uncertainty. Rescue settings can be overwhelming, and for some dogs, wearing a muzzle is an essential part of keeping themselves and those around them safe. When introduced in a kind and gradual way, muzzles don’t just make things safer but they help open up new opportunities for enrichment, walks, vet care, and long-term success in adoptive homes.

We are proud to offer free education sessions like this to other force-free rescues around the UK, and via video call, Worldwide.

Whether you’re looking to upskill your team, troubleshoot specific training challenges, or simply feel more confident using muzzles in day-to-day handling, we’re here to help. Sessions can be tailored to suit your needs and can include theory, practical demonstrations, or both.

If you’d like to find out more or book a session for your team, get in touch - we’d love to hear from you.

If you're part of a rescue or professional organisation, we'd love to support the incredible work you do. Take a look at how we can work together to make a positive impact: Supporting the Heart of Rescue.