Why Dog Muzzles Aren’t a Bad Thing: A Review of The Muzzle Movement’s Gear

If you’re a dog owner navigating reactivity, resource guarding, or just trying to keep your pup safe on busy village walks, you’ve probably heard all sorts of opinions about dog muzzles. Seriously, owning a reactive dog can already cause tension in your shoulders, double-takes from strangers, and the constant need to advocate for your dog -- which can be exhausting. If your dog wears a muzzle? That attention multiplies.

There’s still a lot of stigma around dog muzzles, especially for reactive dogs.

It’s time we changed that, because the truth is, a muzzled dog isn’t a dangerous dog. It’s a dog with an owner who cares enough to train safely and responsibly. That’s something I strongly believe in, and it’s also why I’m such a fan and affiliate of The Muzzle Movement.

This UK-based brand is doing something refreshingly different. They’re building a community and starting conversations around normalising muzzles, particularly for dogs that need a bit more support in everyday situations.

We started using their gear for our reactive pup a while back, and I'll be honest, I wasn't sure what to expect at first. I'd tried relying on just a head collar (and a few other alternative options, before), but a lot of accessories for reactive dogs don't give you the confidence and peace-of-mind that a high-quality muzzle can.

A lot of people in our area have a tendency to walk their dogs off-leash, and nothing could peak my anxiety like an off-leash dog bounding towards us on a field, with no owner in sight, while on a walk. Nowadays, I'm less concerned when our reactive dog has her muzzle on. I know she can't do any damage, and that allows me to manage a stressful situation much more calmly.

Now, onto the muzzles themselves.

The Muzzle Movement thoughtfully designs their products -- not just for safety, but for comfort, breathability, and style. My dog can pant, drink, and most importantly, take treats, which has made our muzzle training sessions so much more successful. If you're familiar with positive reinforcement methods, you’ll know how important treat access is, especially with reactive dogs.

The muzzles actually look good, too. That might sound superficial, but having a comfortable dog muzzle that doesn’t make my girl look like Hannibal Lecter actually makes people more open to chatting. Her muzzle has a floral design on the band and is baby pink all over. The pretty design invites a lot of  “Oh, where did you get that?” question (which happens a lot more often than I expected).

But the brand isn’t just about muzzles. They’ve got a growing range of dog accessories designed with reactive dogs (and us owners) in mind. There are biothane leads, longlines, safety accessories, and more. I switched to their handled biothane longline a few months ago and haven’t looked back. It’s waterproof (essential for UK weather), easy to wipe down, and feels great in-hand during walks and training.

What I appreciate most, though, is the mission behind it all.

The Muzzle Movement is unapologetically about supporting owners of reactive or misunderstood dogs. Their messaging "muzzled dogs are good dogs" is something I stand behind completely. When you're navigating the ups and downs of training a reactive dog, having access to high-quality gear is great. But knowing there's a brand that sees and supports you? That’s rare, and so important.

So, if you’ve been considering trying a muzzle for your dog or if you’re just looking to upgrade to something that actually fits and functions properly, I really recommend giving them a look. Their designs are practical, comfortable, and made with both safety and kindness in mind.

You can check out their full range here, and don’t forget to use my code THEBARKBLOGUK at checkout for 10% off.

Trust me, it’s worth it for you and your dog.

-

Some links on TheBarkBlog are affiliate links. That means if you click on them and make a purchase, I might earn a little commission (at no extra cost to you!). Think of it as buying me a virtual coffee. I only recommend things I genuinely love and think you'll enjoy too. Thanks for your support and happy browsing!