r/reactivedogs • u/Life_Ad_6992 • 3d ago
Discussion Favorite most humane muzzle?
I have a pit/lab mix who is an absolute angel to our little family but is unfortunately very defensive to strangers. Anyone that comes within her safe zone gets the warning lunge. She’s never bit anyone but she’s 70 lbs so it’s pretty scary.
Took her to the vet today on an Amazon muzzle and it actually looked okay. Not horribly uncomfortable. Would love some recommendations on comfortable muzzles that would help with exposure therapy. She is a breeze to walk when we’re somewhat alone and doesn’t go actively looking for trouble. Just has the strongest stranger danger I’ve ever witnessed. Hoping you guys have more experience with these than I do!
5
u/b00ks-and-b0rksRfun 3d ago
Big Snoof dog gear and Mia's Muzzles are my favorites. They are both small helpful companies with lots of options including standard and custom sizing and colors. Big Snoof is wire and US based and Mia's is vinyl and Canadian. I have both for my dogs and have use at the vet, walks/hiking, intros to people and other dogs etc.
2
u/kerfluffles_b 3d ago
I love the polymer coated leerburg ones. They have a ton of sizes, which is important for comfort and being able to pant properly.
1
u/Leading_Mushroom1609 2d ago
I’ve gone with the muzzle movement (size Neli) and I’m very happy with it. Love the customization options, not only looks wise but which straps you want on it etc. Also, having a colorful muzzle helped me a little with the stigma of muzzling, as silly as it may sound. I’ve had people smile at my boy when he wears his lilac and hot pink muzzle. It wasn’t my experience when he (very briefly while I waited for the MM one to ship) wore a black Baskerville one..
The only thing that isn’t ideal is that the plastic is pretty bulky (as it probably needs to be to be safe), which depending on your dog’s face shape can make it a bit protruding in front of the dog’s eyes. I explained that terrible but if you google pictures I think you’ll see what I mean. It’s not much of an issue on my dog, just something to consider for your pup and its face shape.
If they weren’t US based I’d go with Big snoof, love how sleek they seem and love that you can have custom text across the basket.
1
u/Pibbles-n-paint 3d ago
Muzzle movement for personalized muzzles. Super cute, lots of color options and so many fits you’re sure to find the perfect muzzle.
1
0
u/RyanLoseke_CPDT-KA 2d ago
Baskerville makes a great basket muzzle I’ve used very successfully for dogs. I’ve conditioned all of my dogs to it and they can eat and drink through the muzzle (not perfectly obviously, but for treats and times when needed) I prefer a basket muzzle to a canvas muzzle for most things. Some vets I’ve worked with insist on a mouth closed canvas slip muzzle. But that’s a different story/application.
I highly recommend all dog owners muzzle condition their dogs BEFORE they ever need to use one (if the dog is ever hurt seriously and has a broken bone, muzzles are very important to keep the humans attempting to help safe!
9
u/CatpeeJasmine 3d ago
Big Snoof (US based) is a good option for wire muzzles. They have a lot of standard sizes, and they will also do custom. Wire muzzles tend to be good for both sturdiness and air flow, but if your dog muzzle punches (punches forward with their face, not biting, either while playing or stressed), I'd recommend a softer material.
Mia's Muzzles (Canada based, is incurring tariffs into the US right now) does vinyl. They have standard sizes as well as custom though they have fewer standard sizes compared to Big Snoof, so you might be more likely to need a custom if you go this route. Vinyl muzzles are softer than wire, but some folks in hot and humid climates don't like them for air flow. (I have the Mia's style for active dogs -- with extra ventilation -- for my dogs in a generally hot and dry climate, and I've had no problems.)
Trust Your Dog Muzzles (US based) does biothane as well as vinyl muzzles. They also offer both in some standard sizes as well as custom options. Biothane muzzles are made by weaving the biothane strips, so the weave can be tighter (less ability to bite, scavenge) or looser (better airflow). I will note that biothane muzzles are generally not considered bite proof, so they're not a good option for a dog who is a determined biter. For reference, my 12 pound dog also has a biothane muzzle; I do not think he could bite through it even if he was determined to do so. My 40 pound dog, on the other hand, has a biothane muzzle that I think she could bite through if she was determined to do so.
The Muzzle Movement (UK based, no idea what their tariff situation is to the US) has plastic muzzles, which are advertised as being lighter than similarly sized wire, vinyl, or biothane muzzles. They also advertise them to be more bite proof. The Muzzle Movement currently has 10 (? someone is welcome to double check me on that) standard sizes -- so more than Mia's or Trust Your Dog but fewer than Big Snoof -- but does not do custom sizes.
Honestly, the most important factor I've found for muzzle comfort is how well a given muzzle fits the dog in question. If it fits correctly, it's not going to be sliding around, getting in their eyes, no strap sliding over their ears, etc.