Muzzles
The world of muzzles is diverse! There is a lot of misinformation out there so let’s take a look at a few examples of the most commonly used muzzles, how they work and how they fit.
First, a few things to keep in mind:
Not all dogs who wear muzzles are aggressive! Yes, muzzles provide a safe and humane way to prevent bites, but they can also be used to prevent scavenging behavior, nipping, defensive bites while being handled during an emergency or veterinary examinations, or even just be used as another training opportunity. Muzzles are tools for various needs but they are NOT a tool to stop your dog from barking.
There are different types of muzzles for different needs. Not all muzzles fit the same or do the same thing and the list of possibilities continues to grow when accessories are added on.
A dog should NEVER be left unattended while wearing a muzzle for an extended period of time. That includes even if they are contained to a crate, kennel or tie-out. Leaving a muzzle on a dog without supervision is dangerous. A few minutes here and there is fine but it’s easy for a muzzle to get caught on something and cause the dog to panic and hurt itself.
Adequate training is imperative for proper use of muzzles. Of course, sometimes there are situations that require use without training but it’s highly recommended that training and desensitization happen before an emergency. It’s a great idea to teach every dog how to wear a muzzle even if that dog doesn’t have any behavior issues! If an emergency arises, it will be one less stressor for the dog. Extended use can also cause stress if the dog is not properly desensitized to wearing a muzzle for that long.
Using a muzzle for your dog does NOT make you a mean owner! It just means that you recognize the world is unpredictable and you are choosing to keep your dog safe. It’s just like wearing a seatbelt in the car. Proper training and desensitization keeps your dog from stressing out in the muzzle and they can get comfortable enough to wear it as if it’s just another collar. A lot of dogs will even choose to nap in their muzzles!
Photo shows a few specialized basket muzzle examples. (Top) The Muzzle Movement, (Middle) Mia’s Muzzles, and (Bottom) Big Snoof Dog Gear. CCO highly recommends each of these brands.
Specialized Basket Muzzles:
Specialized basket muzzles are designed with a more custom fit to the dog’s face and allow for full range of motion in the jaw to allow for open mouth panting, drinking, taking treats and yawning. These are usually easily recognized by how they taper to a wider angle as you get away from the head and toward the end of the nose. These can be a bit more of a financial investment and usually cost somewhere between $75-$175 and need to be ordered online.
Not all specialized basket muzzles are fully bite proof. Some are designed with a more traditional “basket” type of structure that has larger holes which allow more airflow. While those do provide a hardened shell to protect against bite attempts, there is usually still room for fingers to get into the muzzle which would create risk for a bite. There are also metal basket muzzles that have strong wiring and allow full airflow but might not always be bite proof if the wire spacing is further apart.
Fully bite proof muzzles will have a more covered basket, generally made from vinyl or plastic with smaller air holes punched into it that don’t allow room for fingers to get in. Some will have a reinforced front to keep stronger dogs from being able to bend the muzzle when attempting a bite. Wire basket muzzles with closer wire spacing also fits into the bite proof category.
These types of muzzles are highly recommended for long-term use and special requirements including needing a fully bite proof muzzle, scavenger guards, full pant room for active/ sport dogs, or needing a more custom size based on your dog’s face shape.
Photos shows a couple standard basket muzzle examples. (Top) Baskerville and (Bottom) a standard wire option. Both of these tend to be popular based on their wide availability. CCO recommends Baskerville for this type of muzzle.
Standard Basket Muzzles:
Standard basket muzzles are typically more of a “cookie cutter” or mass produced shape. There are usually numbered or lettered sizes. These generally do not properly fit more unique face shapes like dogs who have wider or longer noses than average. These muzzles MUST be fit to allow for some room for panting, drinking and taking treats but they generally do not allow for full range of motion with the mouth as they stay at more of a straight or smaller angle as you move from by the head toward the end of the nose. It is often a good idea to “size up” for these to allow more room. These are a more economical option usually ranging $15-$75 and can be found in stores and online.
The majority of standard basket muzzles are not bite proof. Most of them will be more of the “basket” structure with larger gaps. This allows for great air flow but lots of room for fingers to get in which can allow for bites. Some are lower quality and can be a risk if they break, not only for sharp parts by your dog’s face but also if the muzzle is broken or bends, it will not be able to function as intended which increases the risk of a bite.
These types of muzzles can be great for short term and intermittent use. These would be recommended for more short term training, vet visits and even just training to get the dog used to wearing one.
Photo shows a couple medical muzzle examples. (Top) Full cover at the nose, (Bottom) open at the nose. CCO only recommends these for emergency use and choosing a basket muzzle is best for the majority of situations.
Medical Muzzles:
Medical muzzles are generally made from a stronger mesh or flexible fabric. Some will have an opening at the nose and others have a full covering at the nose. Some medical muzzles are just a looped adjustable strap that goes around the dog’s nose as well. These usually cost $8-$30 and can be found in stores and online.
These are the ONLY muzzles that are meant to hold the dog’s mouth closed. These should be used for emergency and medical purposes only and must not be used for any more than a very brief amount of time. These are not to be used to stop your dog from barking. Holding the mouth closed stops the dog from being able to pant, drink, eat and does not allow any motion in the mouth at all. Some can restrict the nasal passages depending on the fit so it is important to make sure the dog is able to breath with it on even though the mouth is held closed.
These are NOT entirely bite proof. A dog can still bite through the open end or mesh if the fit is a little looser. The mouth will not be able to open very wide but hard pinches and finger bites can still happen.
These types of muzzles are okay for emergency restraint or short tasks like nail trims or ear cleanings. Medical muzzles are okay to use for these things but if you can use a basket muzzle instead, that is the better option.
Proper Fit:
No muzzle should ever hold a dog’s mouth shut except for emergency use of a medical muzzle (as explained above).
Basket muzzles MUST allow the mouth room to pant, drink and take treats.
Muzzles MUST have extra room in the sides and the end of the nose area. The muzzle should not be fitting so tightly that it is pressing into the end of the nose, nostrils or sides of the nose/ face. You should be able to grab the muzzle and wiggle it around fairly easily.
The forehead strap should NOT be tight and pulling the basket into the eye area.
The neck strap should fit snuggly at the highest part of the neck.
Photo shows Benji wearing a Baskerville muzzle in a large enough size that allows his mouth to open enough to pant, drink and take treats. The muzzle is not pressing into the end of his nose or his eye area. This is the minimum amount of space that CCO would recommend having in a muzzle, more is better.
Photo shows Benji wearing a Baskerville muzzle in too small of a size. The muzzle holds his mouth closed and does not allow for room to pant, drink or take treats. It is pressing into the end of his nose and even into his nostrils. This is not an appropriate size and a much larger size with more room is required for an acceptable fit.
Photo shows Benji wearing a Baskerville muzzle in a large enough size that does not touch the end of his nose or the sides of his nose. The basket is not pressing into his eye area and is resting nicely on his snout without pressure from any angle. The basket is loose-fittiing and can be moved around fairly easily without coming off the nose.
Photo shows Benji wearing a Baskerville muzzle in too small of a size. The basket is pressing in on the sides of his nose and the end of his nose. Though it doesn’t reach to press into his eye area, it’s still tight around his snout and his jowls bulge out in multiple places. A properly fitting basket muzzle should not be touching the snout except for where it is resting on top.
Photo shows a side view of Rain wearing a custom Guardian style muzzle from Mia’s Muzzles. There is ample room for her mouth to fully open, there is space between the basket and the end of her nose and it is not pushing into her eye area.
Photo shows a front view of Rain wearing a custom Guardian style muzzle from Mia’s Muzzles. There is room for full range of motion for her mouth and the basket is not pressing into the sides of her nose or into her eye area.
Photo shows a top view of Rain wearing a custom Guardian style muzzle from Mia’s Muzzles. The (pink) neck strap is fitted like a snug collar at the highest part of the neck. The (pink) collar loop is connected to her flat collar. The (purple) forehead strap is short enough to keep the basket on her face securely but is loose enough to keep it from pressing into her eye area.
*Custom Canine Obedience is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any of the companies, brands or organizations mentioned or linked on this page. Any references or links provided are for informational and convenience purposes only. We may recommend certain products or services based on our professional experience and opinion; however, these recommendations are independent and reflect what we believe may be beneficial for dog owners and their pets. We do not guarantee the performance, quality or suitability of any third-party products or services. We encourage you to research all products thoroughly and choose what best fits your individual dog’s needs.