DIY Dog Muzzle: Safety for Spot!

Dog muzzles are often associated with dangerous and aggressive dogs, but they can also be helpful for the sweetest pups in the world.

In fact, muzzles help to keep you and your dog safer, and they can also play an important role in the training of your pooch.  

There are a lot of great dog muzzle options out on the market, but if you’re looking to construct your own or can’t find a commercial one that suits your pooch, there are a couple of superb DIY project plans to get you started. 

Just remember that because muzzles often serve as a safety tools, it’s important that these projects are executed with care to keep you and your doggo safe.

Below, we’ll dive into a couple of the best DIY muzzle options around! We’ll also discuss some of the reasons why you may want to use a muzzle and clear the air surrounding some common muzzle misconceptions. 

Six Great DIY Dog Muzzles

Here are some of our favorite dog muzzles you can make from the comfort of your own home.

SAFETY NOTE: To prevent your dog from overheating, always make sure that his muzzle doesn’t impede his ability to open his mouth and pant normally. This is especially important during warm weather walks.

1. Long-Lasting Muzzle from Dogsaholic

If you’re looking to create a muzzle you can use day in and day out, the long-lasting muzzle from Dogsaholic is an excellent choice. 

This muzzle requires some sewing ability to complete, but you’ll only need a few materials to make it. Just be sure to print out the detailed instructions for the sewing patterns. 

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Materials Needed: 

• Nylon Webbing 
• Thread 
• Plastic Cargo Buckle

Tools Needed:

• Sewing Machine 
• Scissors

2. Environmentally Friendly Dog Muzzle from Instructables

Instructables offers a crochet dog muzzle project which is just as cute as it is functional!  

This probably isn’t the strongest muzzle around, so it may not be a good choice for nippy dogs who are big or strong. Instead, this muzzle would work best to prevent your pooch from eating things he finds on the ground during walks.   

However, you could also experiment with other, stronger materials if you like.  

Difficulty Level:  Moderate to Difficult

Materials Needed:

• Buckle 
• Cotton Thread

Tools Needed: 

• Crochet Hook

If you’re new to crocheting, check out this video which outlines most of the techniques you’ll need to master when making this muzzle.

3. DIY Coke Bottle Muzzle by Rabiul Hassan 

YouTuber Rabiul Hasan offers an easy muzzle solution that can be made by anyone who has an empty soda bottle laying around the house.

Essentially, you’ll cut the top off the bottle to make room for your pup’s snout, you’ll use electrical tape to cover any rough or sharp edges, and then you’ll tether it to your pooch with gauze. 

Soda bottle muzzles, although convenient, should be limited to short-term use, as they’ll limit your dog’s ability to pant effectively. Instead of using them during walks, it would be wiser to use them during grooming or nail-trimming sessions.

This project is best-suited for smaller breeds, as snout size is limited to the size of your soda bottle. 

Difficulty Level: Easy

Materials Needed:

• Large Soda Bottle 
• Electrical Tape
• Gauze

Tools Needed:

• Scissors
• Ruler
• Pen/Marker

4. Decorative Duct Tape Muzzle by The Dog Geek

Thedoggeek.com offers a great way to help reduce the stigma of muzzles and gives you the opportunity to personalize your muzzle to match your pup’s unique sense of style.

This DIY project does not explain how to create a muzzle itself; it describes the way in which you can dress up a preexisting muzzle with duct tape. 

Not only is this project super cute, but bright or reflective duct tape can help your pup be more visible and safe. 

Difficulty Level: Easy

Materials Needed:

• Duct Tape
• Clear Enamel Spray (Optional)

Tools Needed: 

• Exacto Knife

Check out the video below to learn a few more advanced duct-tape decorating techniques. The tips in the video aren’t designed specifically for making a DIY muzzle, but they may help get your creative juices flowing.

5. Gauze Muzzle by Dogtime.com

Dogtime.com offers a great solution for owners who need a makeshift solution for a muzzle. This method is definitely not one you’d use on an everyday basis, but if you’re in a pinch, it works beautifully. 

All you need for this muzzle is some gauze and scissors. Be sure to watch the handy tutorial to ensure that you’re securing the muzzle properly. 

Difficulty Level: Easy

Materials Needed:

• Gauze

Tools Needed:

• Scissors (In an emergency, you could just tuck any excess gauze under the strap behind your dog’s head).

6. DIY Dog Muzzle by The Honest Kitchen

The Honest Kitchen offers another makeshift solution for a temporary muzzle. 

This muzzle is created by tying a leash around the snout in a secure fashion. It should be noted that this method cannot be used on short-snouted pups, as their snout is not long enough to keep the leash in place.

This temporary muzzle is great for needing a restraint on the fly, but it should not be used on a regular basis. 

Difficulty Level: Easy

Materials Needed: 

• Leash

Tools Needed:

• None

Check out the video below to see a similar muzzle being put to use.

The Benefits of Dog Muzzles

Muzzles are helpful in a variety of ways. Their primary function is obviously to prevent your dog from biting anyone. But they provide a number of other benefits too!

Here are a couple of ways in which muzzles may benefit you and your pet:

Muzzles Are Helpful for Injury Recovery

Muzzles can be useful for preventing your dog from chewing on wounds that are healing. This will often help eliminate the need to fit your dog with the dreaded E-collar.

Muzzles Help Prevent Dogs From Feasting on Street Snacks

Some dogs like to taste anything interesting-smelling that they encounter during walks. But while this is pretty common, it is definitely something you’ll want to try to prevent.

Your pup could easily snatch something hazardous off of the street that could upset his stomach or even cause him to fall seriously ill. But a muzzle will help prevent your pooch from snacking on potentially dangerous things.  

Muzzles Are Helpful Management Tools

From time to time, your dog will likely have to endure things that may trigger him to lash out. This includes everything from veterinary visits to grooming sessions.

But by fitting your dog with a muzzle, you can ensure that he won’t bite the hand that grooms him.

Muzzles Provide Additional Safety During New Experiences 

If you’re just getting to know your pet and you’re not 100% sure how they’ll react to certain stimuli, a muzzle is a great idea.

It’s always better to be safe than sorry, and fitting your dog with a muzzle gives you an opportunity to learn more about your dog’s natural behavior and tendencies, without having to stress out about anyone’s safety.

Safe Use of a Dog Muzzle

An improperly fitted muzzle can be dangerous, not to mention irritating for your dog. So, to prevent these problems, make sure you follow these helpful tips to keep your pup’s tail wagging. 

Use a Muzzle Design Suitable for Your Dog

When using a muzzle, it’s important to keep your dog’s specific needs in mind.

For example, if your dog is a brachycephalic breed (short-snouted dogs such as pugs or Chow-Chows), you’ll want to pay close attention to your pooch, as he may have trouble breathing while wearing a muzzle.  

Use the Proper Type of Muzzle for Your Needs

Some muzzles hold a dog’s mouth completely closed, which can make it harder for dogs to pant and cool down their body properly.  

These types of muzzles should be used for very limited amounts of time or during emergencies. Don’t use these types of muzzles an everyday basis. Instead, opt for a basket-style muzzle for extended use.

Only Use Muzzles When You Can Supervise

As a general rule, muzzles should be used only when your pup is under supervision.

You never know how your pooch may react to a muzzle when you’re not there, so it’s always a good idea to keep a watchful eye on your pup when he wears one. 

Keep Your Canine’s Comfort in Mind 

Like anything you put on your pet, make sure the muzzle fits well, does not rub or dig into any skin, and rests comfortably on your pet’s snout.

Think about the material of the muzzle too, and consider whether or not it is appropriate for its planned use. 

Start ‘Em Young! Teach Your Dog to Accept a Muzzle from an Early Age

Introducing your pup to muzzles early on is one of the best things you can do for his emotional and physical health. Plan to introduce your puppy to muzzles around the same time you start socializing him.

Being proactive about muzzle training sets your pup up to be fearless and friendly, even at the groomer or vet. Here are a few tips for teaching your doggo to accept muzzles. 

1. Association

Before attempting to muzzle your pup directly, lay it on the ground and allow him to sniff and inspect it.

Give praise or small treats when your doggo touches his nose to the muzzle. You can even try putting your pup’s treats or food inside or on the muzzle, while it is laying on the ground.

Repeat this process for a couple of days, or until your pet seems comfortable with the foreign object.

2. Hold the muzzle

After successfully creating a positive association, hold the muzzle in one hand and place a treat in the basket of the muzzle so that your dog must put his snout in the apparatus to get a treat.

Rinse and repeat until comfortable!

3. Putting on the muzzle

Slip the muzzle gently over the snout, but then remove it immediately and praise your pupper.

Work up to slipping on the unclipped muzzle and moving around the flaps slightly to familiarize your pooch with the process.

4. Phasing Out of Training

Practice putting on and taking off the muzzle fully. Try to increase the length of time you make your pup wear it until he gets totally comfortable and learns that there’s nothing to worry about.

Don’t forget to reward and praise during this step too! 

Dog Muzzle FAQs 

Before you run off to create your DIY muzzle, you might have a couple of questions in mind regarding muzzles and their proper use. 

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Crafting a muzzle for your pooch can be very rewarding and allow your pet to be more secure on an everyday basis. With these great DIY projects out there, there’s nothing that’s stopping you from taking that extra step towards ensuring Fido is safe and sound.

Have you tried out any of these DIY projects at home? How did they turn out? We’d love to hear all about it in the comments below!