Dog Muzzle Fit Trouble Shooting

🐶 Muzzle Fit Troubleshooting: How to Fix Common Dog Muzzle Fit Issues

Finding the perfect muzzle fit for your dog isn’t always easy. Even with the right measurements, sometimes things don’t feel quite right.

If you’ve ever thought, “Why doesn’t my dog’s muzzle fit properly?” or “Why does my dog keep getting the muzzle off?” this guide is for you.

Let’s walk through the most common dog muzzle fitting problems and how to fix them, one wag at a time.

📖 Related Reading: Gentle Muzzle Measuring Guide

Before you measure or fit your dog's muzzle, we highly recommend reading our newest blog for a gentle, low-stress approach:

➡️ Introducing Measuring Tools to Your Dog – A Gentle Guide to Muzzle Fitting
www.themuzzlemovement.com/blogs/muzzle-fit/introducing-measuring-tools-to-your-dog-a-gentle-guide-to-muzzle-fitting

❓ My Dog Keeps Getting the Muzzle Off

If your dog is pawing at the muzzle, rubbing it on the floor, or slipping it off completely, consider these three key factors:

✅ 1. Does the Muzzle Fit Properly?

A poor fit can cause discomfort and frustration. Make sure the muzzle:

• Isn’t digging into your dog’s cheeks
• Isn’t too long or too short
• Has enough pant room to allow your dog to breathe, yawn, and drink

➡️ See our guide on What makes a Good Dog Muzzle Fit 

✅ 2. Is Your Dog Muzzle-Trained?

Without gradual desensitisation, your dog may resist wearing the muzzle. Take time to:

• Build a positive association with the muzzle
• Use treats and praise
• Progress slowly in short, reward-filled sessions

➡️ Take a look at our Ultimate Dog Muzzle Training Guide here

or you can check out The Complete Muzzle Training Course. This course is comprehensive and detailed, and whilst we will give you the tools to make this happen, you do need to commit to putting in the time and effort to make it work. It’s self-paced, so there is no need to rush through and it’s important to work through at your dogs’ pace, but as with all things, the more time and effort you put in, the more progress you will make. Ready to muzzle train?

✅ 3. Do You Need Extra Security Straps?

If the fit is right but your dog is still managing to remove the muzzle, try these accessories:

• Head Strap – Prevents the muzzle from sliding down
• Chin Strap or Chin Loop – Helps stop the muzzle from popping up and over the nose
• Muzzle Stop – Attaches the neck strap to your dog’s collar for extra stability

➡️ Learn more about our muzzle accessories

🧷 Quick Guide: Which Strap Fixes What?

😣 The Muzzle Is Too Tight or Too Loose on the Cheeks

🛠️ Too Tight?

• Our muzzles can usually be stretched up to 1cm extra width on the back of the muzzle. Many customers have been able to achieve more stretch (up to 2/2.5cm) but we can't promise this and they may return to only 1cm wider over time.
  
  

  To achieve the 1cm extra width, muzzles must be placed in boiling water for two minutes and stretched AT LEAST an extra 2cm than the standard width of the muzzle. The muzzle must be thoroughly cooled (a minimum of 4 hours) before being removed from the pan/bowl/wood that this stretching it, and may stay at 2cm wider for around 24 hours, before settling at around 1cm wider than the standard width.

  Muzzles can be narrowed by between 0.5cm (smaller sizes like Rex and Neli), up to 1cm for medium sizes and up to around 1.3cm for larger sizes (Sunny, Harry, Mitzy).

🛠️ Too Loose?

• Boil and reshape to slightly narrow the cheek area for a better fit

➡️ Watch our Muzzle Adjustment Guide
📧 Or send photos/videos to support@themuzzlemovement.com

❓The Muzzle Matches My Dog’s Measurements, But It Still Doesn’t Fit

Even with correct measurements, your dog’s face shape might not suit the standard muzzle model.

Possible reasons:

• The muzzle size matches, but the shape doesn’t
• Your dog’s cheekbones or snout angle may be a unique fit

📸 Send us photos or videos showing the fit - we’ll advise as best we can. support@themuzzlemovement.com

🛠️ If needed, a custom muzzle from a specialist might be your best option.

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💤 The Muzzle Pushes Into My Dog’s Eyes When They Lie Down

Our muzzles offer generous pant space to allow your dog to eat, drink, pant, and yawn safely.

When lying down, the muzzle may shift upward over their eyes. This is normal and not harmful. Most dogs adapt by resting with their head tilted.

😕 The Muzzle Wobbles Around on My Dog’s Face

This may suggest:

• The muzzle is slightly too large
• It lacks stability underneath

✅ Add a chin strap to help anchor it more securely under the chin.

📏 The Muzzle Is Too Long for My Dog

If the muzzle:

• Pushes into your dog’s eyes
• Prevents access to treats through the treat hole

Check:

• Is the back width too narrow, causing the muzzle to sit too far forward?

Fixes:

• Boil and stretch to widen the cheek area
• Flip the noseband so the excess faces inward, away from the eyes

➡️ See our muzzle adjustment tutorial
📧 Still unsure? Send us a video for feedback.

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🐽 The Muzzle Is Too Short for My Dog

If your dog’s nose touches or is squashed at the front:

• Upgrade to a 38mm extended noseband (standard is 25mm)

➡️ Shop replacement nosebands

🦴 The Muzzle Bumps Against My Dog’s Neck

This is more common with deep pant-space models like the Taz or Mitzy, especially if:

• Your dog is at the lower end of the muzzle’s size range
• They have a short neck or deep chest

📸 Every dog is different! Send us a video so we can help.

💌 Need Help Troubleshooting Your Dog’s Muzzle Fit?

At The Muzzle Movement, we understand every dog is unique. If you’re unsure about fit, sizing, or adjustments:

📷 Send us clear, straight-on photos or videos
📧 Email: support@themuzzlemovement.com
👃 Include your dog’s measurements and how you measured

📝 One-Fit Review Policy

To give each dog the care they deserve, we offer one sizing review per dog.

Please ensure:

• You provide full and final measurements
• You include clear photos showing how you measured

Waiting until you have everything ready helps us avoid duplicates and respond faster. 🐾

💡 We’re a small team, and it can take up to 3 working days for us to reply.

Future support will be offered as post-purchase advice only.
We cannot offer a new review based on updated or changed measurements.

✅ Final Tip: Every Dog Is Unique

Even with correct measurements, some dogs simply don’t suit standard muzzle shapes. That’s okay!

With the right combination of tools, training, and a little patience, you’ll find a fit that keeps your dog comfortable, safe, and confident.