Muzzles are a great tool, and a wire basket muzzle is an option most people overlook.
Muzzles are a great tool, but is the Ray Allen Wire Basket muzzle the answer for you and your dog? This is why I’m doing these reviews.
I was so excited to receive my delivery from Ray Allen, honestly. Even when I lived in the UK I’d looked into Ray Allen – and whilst they do ship worldwide, the postage & taxes made it difficult for me to achieve – but now I’m in the US? I was determined to test these out and see if they held up to the reputation I’d heard of. So I organised it!
Today we’ll be talking about the wire basket muzzle because this? Is a wonderful tool. And it’s a tool that I think this one is very versatile for you.
The Metrics…
What Do The Metrics Mean?
These are all things there important to consider in a well-fitted muzzle. If you need a guide on how to accurately fit a muzzle for your dog? This is a wonderful guide!
Value – Not all muzzles are made equal, this metric is to describe how valuable these muzzles are vs others in their price point.
Bite-Proofness – Surprisingly, not all muzzles are biteproof! This is a way to show you how secure the muzzle is if your dog is a bite-risk.
Comfort – Whilst I can’t ask my testers (Aka Indie!) how comfortable it is, I can get an idea of how comfortable it is for him.
Robustness – is the muzzle able to take a hit? Is it brittle? Is your dog likely to chew through it?
Security – Can it be slipped easily? Is it secure? Or is it likely to fail you? High stars means it’s secure!
Weight – Is it heavy? Ideally we want it to be lightweight so that we can intrude upon our dogs in a minimal fashion.
Treat Delivery – It’s important as a part of training that we can deliver treats to our pups!
Mouth Movement – the ability to pant, drink and vomit is critical when looking at muzzles for safety reasons.
Airflow – the ability to breath is … not really an option is it? But some designs can be more restrictive than others.
If you want more info on how these muzzles have been measured and why it’s important? Check out this post!
In short…
This is my new favourite muzzle. This has swiftly replaced Indie’s ‘regular’ muzzle.
How do I explain that, truthfully haha!
It’s got great visibility – aka – I know indie can communicate clearly through this muzzle. I love that. It’s really well finished and it is just so strong. and it’s made from such quality materials with craftsmanship that I know it’s not going to let me and indie down at any point. Which is ultimately the goal of a muzzle.
In Detail
What Do I Love About The Ray Allen Wire Basket Muzzle?
The visual of this muzzle is wonderful. I love the fact that it is so open. This, to me, allows your dog to clearly communicate with you and with other dogs. So much of canine communication is made with the face and particularly the mouth that more shut in muzzles will compromise your dogs ability to communicate (at least from my experience) with you and with other dogs. This one doesn’t do that. Wide and open, it creates a strong, but minimal barrier.
For what they are, they’re lightweight at 289g. This makes a big difference because a light weight muzzle will keep your dog comfortable!
Is Your Dog
Reactive?
If you’re looking for a
muzzle for your reactive
dog, this is just your first
step in your journey.
It’s really adjustable, and once you find a basket that fits your dogs face, the muzzle itself has leather straps so you can add holes, the cheek straps are totally adjustable (a feature a lot of muzzles don’t offer!). The face strap is also really strong and easily adjustable. So it should fit as many faces as possible, no matter how potentially awkward faces!
It seems really comfortable. Any point that could be in contact with your dog, has been covered, it’s protected, it will not rub. The materials are largely natural too, which is always beneficial.
The basket muzzle style also allows for just about the maximum airflow that a muzzle can offer. The surfaces area is minimal, which I just adore. But it doesn’t compromise strength in the slightest.
Sturdy, strong, comfortable, airflow, Adjustable, light, and allows communication! Can you see why I love this muzzle to bits?
What Don’t I Love About The Ray Allen Wire Basket Muzzle
If you live in a particularly cold climate? The bare metal could present a problem.
Beyond that? I mean, I’m yet to find a flaw. I found a couple of slightly sharp points within, but a nail file removed those real quick.
It doesn’t come with a care guide either? Which I would love it to come with? Because when it’s leather, it takes a teeny tiny bit more care than say the baskerville muzzle which I literally throw in the washing machine.
If you want to know what to do? Pick up a good leather conditioner from a tack store and just make sure once, twice a year you condition the leather to ensure it stays flexible and strong. Fat content not only makes the leather stronger, but softer too! So make sure to take care of this and it will last you forever.
I find that there’s enough pant room for Indie, but it is sufficient for everything within my list, he can hold a standard sized tennis ball, full pant, it’s just not quite as open as some.
But beyond those small details, I cannot really find any more problems. And to be honest, these feel like I’m well and truly nitpicking.
Do I Recommend The Ray Allen Wire Basket Muzzle
Simply put – Absolutely.
To me? This is the single best ‘entry level’ muzzle on the market. It’s affordable, it’s not scary. It’s wonderful. And better yet? With the styles and sizes? This works for everyone.
You can still train your reactive dog through this muzzle, you can work with them for any reason through the muzzle. It’s comfortable, it’s adjustable and personally? I’m totally in love with it. And I’m pretty sure you will be too.
I find it really hard to find a problem with this muzzle. Please don’t be scared of it. It may look a little intense, but as muzzles go, this is a piece of art.
If you want to pick one of these up for you and your dog? Head over to Ray Allen’s website, and get measuring!
If you’re struggling with your reactive dog, and you don’t know where to go? I’m right here. I mean, that’s the reason I train! Come join my Rebarkable Reactives course and let’s get you from Reactive to Rebarkable!
Author, Ali Smith
Ali Smith is a professional, qualified, and multi-award winning trainer is the founder of rebarkable. She has always believed animals deserve kindness and champions force free methods. Believing that dog guardians will all choose the kindest options if proper information is provided, she aims to help all dog guardians who need it and make dog training as accessible as possible
Ali lives win Maryland, US with her husband and her three dogs.
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