Is it cruel to use a muzzle on my dogs every night?

No need to use a muzzle! They can bark through those anyway. They have anti-bark collars and devices. The collars come in 2 versions, shock collar, and citronella spray collar. The devices are placed in the area with the dogs and emit an ultrasonic correction tone when they bark.

I personally have had great success with the citronella collar. Dogs hate the smell, and the spray and noise startles them out of barking. Neither of my dogs will bark more than once while wearing it, and usually they won't bark at all because they've learned what the collar means.

Using a muzzle that keeps the mouth closed for more then 10 minutes at a time can cause doggy death from over heating. Dogs cool themselves by panting. Using solid muzzles keeps them from panting. Is there a way that they could sleep inside so that the barking is eliminated?

You need to train your dogs not to bark when they are outside. DO NOT DEBARK THE DOG. That is the lazy mans way out of solving this problem. You might want to bring your dogs in for the night so that they don't find things to bark at during the night. If they must be outside, build them a kennel where they can be put inside until the morning. There are numerous things you can try to keep your pets quiet, but training them not to bark at every little thing is the best way to gain control over your dog.

Your dogs are outside at that hour? The simple solution is to bring them in the house! If they're outside barking like that at 3 in the morning I'm surprised no one has commented before. But what she said to you was totally uncalled for! She's new in the neighborhood and could have asked you nicely. That was just wrong!

edit- debarking a dog is as cruel as it gets! I can't believe that anyone would suggest this!!!

Your dogs are barking at 3 a.m.?!?!?!?! Are they outside at that hour?

Try bringing them indoors! Holy moly, no wonder your neighbor is ticked. You could be cited for maintaining a public nuisance if you allow your dogs to bark at night.

Muzzles don't prevent dogs from barking; they prevent them from biting. You could try a citronella collar or an anti-bark (shock) collar, but the best idea is to keep them in a place where they won't annoy your neighbor in the middle of the night.

I don't think they will be very comfortable trying to sleep with a muzzle on. Plus, it won't prevent barking. Bring them inside to sleep at night and your problems will be over.

It all depends if it is outside or inside. If it's outside, you need to bring it inside. They are inside dogs. It may be the fact that your dog wnats a attention. After all, it is only a baby. Play with your dog and tire it out really good. That should stop the barking.

It is abusive to muzzle dogs for that purpose and it won't stop the barking.

Bring the kennels and the dogs in the house.

your neighbour is stupid because there is no need to put your dogs to sleep because they are doing something that comes natural to them. train your dog not to bark instead, dont muzzle them, they will turn neurotic.

yes its cruel dont put the muzzle on the dog, just make sure he/she has everything they need extra toys,food,water,warm dog house, anything to keep it busy.or bring the dog inside, hope i could help a little.