Muzzles can help curb lousy behavior, including barking, biting, chewing, and nipping. But there are various types of muzzles depending on your needs, your dog’s breed, specific behavioral issues, and other factors. Find out if a muzzle can stop a dog from barking and my top picks.
| Winner | Best For Biting | Best For Grooming | Best For Walking |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |
| Barkless | Baskerville | Ewinever | PetSafe Gentle Leader |
| View on Amazon | |||
| Read Review |
Best Dog Muzzles By Use/Type
Depending on your needs, you can use various kinds of muzzles. I’ve broken them out into categories with my top picks for each so you can find the best fit for your pup.
Best Dog Muzzle For Barking: Barkless Adjustable Muzzle Review
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Do muzzles stop dogs from barking? They can! If your dog tends to bark while you’re walking him, a no-bark muzzle may help keep him calmer. Your dog will still be able to breathe freely and pant his heart out. The muzzle will keep your dog from biting or eating items he shouldn’t.
The muzzle is lightweight and durable. It is available in small, medium, large, and extra-large. You can also purchase it in brown or black leather. If you need a dog muzzle to stop barking, this could be an excellent solution.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Prevents dogs from biting, barking, and eating things they shouldn’t | Some dogs can wriggle out of it |
| Affordable | Sizes run too big for some dogs, often those with shorter snouts |
| Durable | Some users report having to punch extra holes in the straps |
| Adjustable | |
| Easy to put on and take off | |
| Made of soft, comfortable leather |
Pricing
- Starts at: Check Amazon for availability
Best Dog Muzzle For Biting: Baskerville Ultra Muzzle Review
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The best dog muzzle for biting is this Baskerville rubber basket muzzle. It allows for drinking, eating, and panting while preventing your dog from biting. This is an excellent muzzle to use while socializing your dog safely.
Baskerville’s muzzle is incredibly durable. It can be heated and shaped to perfectly fit your dog’s snout. As an extra precaution, the muzzle has an attachment loop for your dog’s regular collar.
Some buyers have complained that the muzzle runs a little small. So, if your dog is between sizes, purchase the size up. Customers have also shared that this is an excellent dog muzzle for pit bulls.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Prevents biting | Straps are excessively long |
| Durable material | Children could get their fingers between the gaps and get bitten |
| Padded | Not suitable for dogs who eat foreign objects due to the wide gaps |
| Dogs can eat, drink, and pant | |
| Adjustable and available in many sizes | |
| Lightweight |
Pricing
- Starts at: $10.85
Best Dog Muzzle For Grooming: Ewinever Review
This set of dog muzzles includes five different sizes to cover puppy muzzles, small dog muzzles, and large dog muzzles. Ewinever’s muzzles are perfect for those of you with multiple dogs or with young dogs that might outgrow a muzzle.
This set is also a practical option for groomers who groom all sizes of dogs. These muzzles stop dogs from barking or biting while trimming their hair. Learn more on how to groom a dog. This muzzle is made of lightweight, breathable nylon to prevent your dog from eating things he shouldn’t while stopping barking and biting.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Prevent biting, barking, chewing, and wound licking | Some dogs can wriggle out of them |
| Inexpensive and affordable | Not the best quality material |
| Money-back guarantee | |
| Best for young, large breed dogs because they can grow into their adult size | |
| Dogs can roam the house without chewing | |
| Multiple sizes for groomers |
Pricing
- 5 Pieces For All Sizes: $7.99
Why Professional Groomers Should Get Insurance
In addition to a muzzle, there are other things you may need to ensure your safety. If you’re a professional groomer, I suggest that you get pet groomer insurance. Being fully educated and insured against possible risks is the best way to start building a successful and trusted business while also protecting your interests.
I recommend Pet Care Insurance via Veracity Insurance Solutions and Lloyds of London for pet grooming insurance. It can protect you if a pet in your care gets sick or injured or a pet owner suffers from an injury on your property.
Best Dog “Muzzle” For Walking: PetSafe Gentle Leader Review
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The PetSafe Gentle Leader is easy to use on walks because you have full control of your dog’s head and where his attention is. Instead of allowing your dog to walk ahead of you (which many dogs do on a regular leash), this head harness (designed like a muzzle) keeps your dog at your side.
The Gentle Leader no-pull headcollar stops your dog from pulling, lunging, jumping, and barking. It’s easy to adjust and allows your dog to pant comfortably.
I use this on my dog, Sally, and it has helped to lessen her barking/whining when we pass another dog on our walk.
I’d like to note that PetSafe states that this is not a muzzle. However, I think it’s close enough, and it works great for helping your dog behave better on walks.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Trains against barking, lunging, and pulling | Doesn’t stop dogs from biting or barking |
| Easy to put on and off | |
| Dogs can eat, drink, and pant when fitted properly |
Pricing
- Starts at: $19.95
Read Our Full Review Of The Gentle Leader
Read our full review of the Gentle Leader to learn more.
Our First-Hand Experience Using Muzzles
My dog Bear, a Black Labrador Retriever, required a muzzle. Bear was a very sweet dog I adopted from an animal rescue, but he had a traumatic past. He was a bit rambunctious and also suffered from epilepsy. Sometimes he would get confused or very jumpy. Because of this, he needed a muzzle in certain situations.
He did not require one to walk, go to the park, or around the house. For Bear, the primary time he needed a muzzle was when he went to the vet’s office. From a very young age, he had a lot of fear about the vet. So, at the vet’s suggestion, I trained him to wear a muzzle when getting medical attention or shots.
Bear was not a nippy dog in general, but he became very different at the vet and growled at the vet tech during an exam. I are not sure why he feared the vet, but I adopted him at 12 weeks old, and he was already neutered, so I often thought he may have had a traumatic early experience. When he had the muzzle, he still did not appreciate the attention or people poking at him, but there was less growling and no fear of biting. I had to ensure that I had the right size muzzle. Because Bear learned to wear a muzzle at a young age, he also learned how to get out of them. So, I had to ensure they were the right size and secured very well, or he would slip out.
– Danielle DeGroot, Rescue Pet Parent, Muzzle User, Canine Journal Research & Writing
6 Steps To Get A Dog Accustomed To A Muzzle
I used a muzzle on my dog for walks because she had a habit of barking obsessively and lunging at other dogs we passed on the trail. Before taking her on a walk wearing the muzzle, my husband got her used to the muzzle by doing the following.
- Let your dog sniff the muzzle to show her that it’s not bad. Then, give her a treat (like Zuke’s training treats). Repeat this a handful of times.
- Touch the nose to the muzzle and give a treat. Continue to do this until your dog shows positive interest in the muzzle.
- Hold the muzzle in front of your dog’s face with one hand and hold a treat with your other hand. That way, your dog has to put her nose inside to eat the treat. Repeat this until it’s easy for her to do.
- Slide the muzzle onto your dog’s nose and treat her. Remove the muzzle and repeat this a few times.
- Place the muzzle on your dog and fasten it. Treat your dog and remove the muzzle. Repeat a handful of times as you slowly build up the time you wait to remove the muzzle.
- Remove the muzzle when it’s not needed. You should never leave it on for long periods or when unsupervised.
How Do I Measure A Dog For A Muzzle?
Place a measuring tape around the base of your dog’s snout and get the circumference. You’ll then get the measurement of the head by placing it around the top of the head around to their mouth. Depending on which muzzle you pick, you might need to get the length of their snout.
Each of the muzzles I reviewed has a unique sizing guide, so read it carefully to get the appropriate size. Every dog’s head’s shape is different, so you might need to try different muzzle types to ensure a good fit. Pugs, in particular, are not good candidates for muzzles due to their flat faces.
How To Fit Dog Muzzle
Ensuring the muzzle fits is critical to its effectiveness. It should be tight enough not to slip off or do its job but not so much that your dog can’t breathe. A good rule of thumb (no pun intended) is to make sure you can fit one finger between the strap and your dog’s head. (Same as leash fitting).
All three of the top muzzles I recommend have adjustable straps so you can customize them to your dog’s head. However, the straps can loosen with use, so get a proper fitting each time you put them on. Your dog’s comfort is a priority, as you don’t want them to be uncomfortable or scared.
How Do You Put A Muzzle On A Dog?
If your dog is aggressive, it’s essential to know how to put a muzzle on her correctly. You don’t want to get yourself bitten when attempting to prevent your dog from biting others.
The video below shows how to fit a muzzle on an aggressive dog. In the video, he’s using a Baskerville muzzle, which is a brand I reviewed above.
How Long Can A Dog Wear A Muzzle?
It depends. famed dog trainer Cesar Millan says muzzles shouldn’t be worn for longer than 20 minutes, depending on the temperature and how active the dog is when she’s wearing it. Honestly, it depends. Muzzles are ideal for training and walking, which can take longer than 20 minutes at a time.
I’m not saying you should buy a muzzle and then put it on your dog for an hour the first time. It will take time to build confidence and acceptance with your dog.
Personally, walks with my dogs last anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes (depending on the weather). When I go to training classes with her wearing a muzzle, they’re typically longer than two hours. If I had to limit myself to just 20 minutes, I’d have to decrease our walks and training sessions.
While I disagree with Cesar Millan, I don’t think it’s right to leave the muzzle on for too long. I suggest only wearing it for potentially stressful situations, like going to the vet, taking a walk, or meeting someone new. Also, anytime a dog is wearing a muzzle, a responsible adult should be around to supervise and make sure the dog is tolerating it well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below, I cover a few frequently asked questions about using dog muzzles. If I missed yours, let me know in the comments.
is it cruel to muzzle a dog to stop biting?
No, as long as the muzzle fits right and is used appropriately. It is not cruel, but you must approach using a muzzle carefully so as not to scare your pup.
Do muzzles help aggressive dogs?
Muzzles can be very helpful for aggressive dogs. They help keep both dogs and people safe. However, muzzles alone are not a solution for aggression. This must be done with proper behavior training and modification.
Does Your Dog Have Aggressive Behavior?
Sometimes, a muzzle doesn’t fix every issue. You may need to try other things to help stop your dog’s aggressive tendencies. Check out these aggressive dog training tips if you need more help with an aggressive dog. We also cover how to train a disobedient dog. Consider a professional dog trainer if you need more help or do not need any progress.
Why Trust Canine Journal?
Kimberly has written about various dog-related topics, such as pet insurance, health conditions, treats, training, products, and more. She consulted with other Canine Journal members to glean their personal experiences using muzzles for their dogs. Kimberly spent over 10 hours researching and writing this article.
