If your pup has a tendency to bark at other dogs or strangers, it can get frustrating. You may notice this behavior only when out on a walk. At home, they’re usually calm around you and your family members. The idea of using a dog muzzle may come up.
Do muzzles stop dogs from barking? Yes, dog muzzles can stop dogs from barking. Wearing a dog muzzle may also help keep your pup calmer. Wearing a no-bark muzzle still allows your dog to pant freely, breathe easily, prevent biting or eating inedible objects.
While many pet owners want to control their dog’s barking when out walking, it’s important to understand the source of his barking. Below we’ve listed a few reasons. Keep in mind that barking is one of the ways a dog communicates with other dogs and with his pet owner.
Whether your pup is wearing a no-bark muzzle or a dog muzzle to prevent biting, be aware of how long your dog is wearing the muzzle. Dog muzzles are meant to be used for short periods of time.
If your dog is feeling frustrated, stressed, or anxious, he may have a lot of pent-up energy inside of him. To release that pent up energy, take your dog for a walk or play fetch with him. We recommend the ChuckIt! Ultra Ball. If you dislike having to constantly throw the ball, the Chuckit! Ball launcher will save you.
If your dog is still barking after the walk and exercise, we understand how frustrating that can be. Compared to other devices like ultrasonic emitters to prevent barking, we believe the dog muzzle is a more humane option. Ultrasonic emitters do not address the underlying cause of your dog’s barking and they only offer a short-term fix.
When choosing the best dog muzzles to prevent biting, make sure it is one that will fit your pup properly and securely. The right size dog muzzle will provide your canine with a comfortable and safe fit. For your convenience, we’ve reviewed the basket dog muzzle below.
The Soft Basket Dog Muzzle for Barking is the best dog muzzle for barking. Made of flexible non-smell silicone, the lightweight Barkless dog muzzle is durable, yet soft on your dog’s snout.
Preferred by many owners, the basket muzzle features an all-around protection design to prevent your pup from barking, biting, eating, and chewing inedible objects around them. Another feature is its ventilation design that allows your dog to breathe, pant, drink, and eat small treats.
Best of all, the soft basket dog muzzle for barking includes padded cotton safety straps to ensure a secure, comfortable, and safe fit. There are two points of secure attachment. The first is the secure loop that attaches to your dog’s collar. The second is the overhead strap that connects directly to the rear strap for an extra secure fit.
You won’t have to worry about the muzzle falling off when visiting the veterinarian or at the dog park. Make sure to measure your dog’s snout twice before buying to find the right fit. Best of all, the reflective stripes on the straps provide safety during night walks.
We did not forget about the ChuckIt! Ultra Ball. Below is the buyer’s guide for the ball.
The durability factor of the ChuckIt! Ultra Ball stood out to us. Not only does it have an indestructible design made especially for aggressive chewers, but its high-visibility and colorful design nailed it in our list of indestructible criteria.
The tough natural rubber core and sturdy walls of the ball allow it to be very bouncy which attracts your dogs’ attention, encourages them to jump as high as they could, and engages them to play for hours. Although the ball has a thick textured surface, it is also soft on your dog’s teeth and mouth.
The lightweight and buoyant nature of the ball allows it to float in water. Have your dog jump into the water and fetch the ball!
Additionally, the bright colors of the ball allow you to play fetch at any time of the day for as many hours as you like. Best of all, it’s a great way to bond with your canine companion and have fun.
Don’t use a Muzzle to Stop Barking
This article will relate to our other article discussing when and when not to use these grooming/textil muzzles. Still, this time we are approaching from a different angle.
Muzzling is a topic that will need a lot more education until they are used appropriately in our society. I am not surprised that an average dog owner doesn’t know much about muzzles before needing one for the first time because it is not easy to find good educational articles on the topic. I am amazed, though, that pet store employees and companies selling muzzles continue spreading dangerous misinformation making it even harder for a new dog owner to understand how they should be used.
Most of the muzzles we see have so much random information on their product site and the packaging. I can imagine this making sense from the SEO perspective since putting every relevant keyword in the description makes the product pop up in every search around muzzles, but if you stop to think about them, they don’t make sense. To focus on one example, this product below promises to allow panting, but it also promises to stop barking. How? One doesn’t need to be an expert in dogs to figure out that if a dog can open their mouth, they can also bark.
This is nothing unusual; if you do a quick Google search, you will find many articles recommending no-bark muzzles while also quickly adding that dogs can still freely pant in these muzzles. While a muzzle allowing a half pant might make barking less comfortable, it will not change the behavior.
The answer is straightforward: if you want to use a muzzle to stop barking, you need to shut the dog’s mouth tightly with the muzzle. The problem here is that dogs need to pant to cool down, which is not possible with a closed mouth. They can also start vomiting and suffocate with their mouth closed. They can also not drink and can get stuck on something and strangle themself if you leave them unattended with a muzzle on. These are the main reasons why using a tight muzzle is not recommended for longer than a few minutes.
If you want your dog to be comfortable and safe in the muzzle, it needs to provide pant room which leads us back to a dog barking while wearing a muzzle.
I know we all would love to find easy solutions for our problems, but buying a muzzle will not stop barking. We recommend reaching out to a good trainer in your area to explore the reasons behind barking and address the cause of the problem instead of working around the symptoms.
Best Dog Muzzle For Barking: Barkless Adjustable Muzzle Review
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 and 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 for you.
| 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 |
How To 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 three muzzles we reviewed has its 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.
FAQ
What is the best muzzle to stop a dog barking?