cam I ask how you trained it? Cain has been trained that when I call his name he looks at my face. He does this perfectly without distraction but cannot get his focus around distractions, which is obviously when it's needed! Have used super yummy treats and squeaky toys but it doesn't get is focus

You train a watch-me command in the house to start with, and repeat as often as possible in all situations (a bit like teaching a whistle recall). Only ever say the word when he will definitely respond. The dog always gets the treat. When he automatically glances at you when you say the words, hold the treat beside your face for second before giving it, then gradually extend it. After a while the dog is conditioned to the action.
That`s how I do it anyway.

claireanddaisy - yes I do something similar. She is soooo fast that all it takes is for me to be distracted for a second and her to spot something before me...eg if I turn to see where one of my kids is when at the park. I am begining to do like you and make sure that if I dont have my total focus on her then I position her so that I am between her and any possible approaching scary people.I think that is my main worry that despite all my best efforts something will happen too quickly for me to react but she will be fast enough to react!
Moonsmum - watch me usually works well for us as long as I spot the potential danger fast enough and before she has had chance to start reacting. We also taught this at home first, and then I just practice it randomly when out and about with varying levels of distraction.
Lotsadogs- thanks! I must admit I am finding it quite a challenge working with this issue. I know she didnt have the best start in life, and I do wonder if a lack of early socialisation could be part of it . That said though I absolutely love her to bits ! As far as I see it we took her on ,and she is our responsibility and that includes working through or with any little "quirks" she may throw at us(and believe me there have been several!) LOL

i use the watch me command too
....i dont think it is a bad thing to get used to wearing a basket muzzle and associate good things like walks with it.. the way things are going with dogs this could be the case soon anyway.it also makes it less stressfull for a 'reactive' dog to wear one when the need arises...such a stigma to muzzles...as said before some dogs wear them because of scavenging etc....stops some peeps approaching when u dont want them to,and in some cases helps the owners to relax too.
i know slightly ot.. but basket muzzles do not hurt...and teaching a dog to be happy wearing one shouldnt be frowned upon imo.

I used a basket muzzle with Daisy for a year or more, no problem. Now, though, her Ballie is her reward (and what she lives for) , for which she obviously needs her chops free.
I would still use the muzzle in some situations though - crowded places like dog shows etc.

oh yes I agree basket muzzles can be totally the right thing for some dogs. I can even see how in some situations it could work for bella.
Trouble is, like Daisy, Bella is TOTALLY ball obsessed. She lives for her ball. Her ball wins out over absolutely everything, you could wave a whole roast chicken under her nose and she would totally ignore it if you had her ball in the other hand . For her not being able to chase and retrieve her ball when out would be terrible. I use the ball to my advantage a lot to, to help with recall, and for distraction when needed...so wouldn't be good if she felt she couldn't chase it.....
I might try her with a muzzle for a while, maybe just to get her used to it so that she will totlerate it if need be....could be useful once in a while I suppose in very busy situations...will ponder that one some more.

Quick point about stuff around the nose.
Its meant to have a calming/suppressing effect on a dog. This is mostly discussed in relation to gentle leaders (which fit closer than a halti) and in the Tteam calming bands. I think there is soemthing in it but the dog needs to be introduced to the equipment correctly to avoid stress.

Good luck with her

Adam

personally i wouldnt use a clicker for nervous dogs.

I only use the muzzle when Daisy is on lead in crowded places. If she`s off lead she can control her own space and doesn`t need it.

I have got Zara use to wearing a basket muzzle, although i haven't had the need to use it outside.... i also think it is important and less stressful.... I trained her by putting a treat inside the muzzle and encouraging her to get it, by putting her nose in.