Luna's developed a habit of nibbling tree bark and other "stuff" when I let her off the lead in an enclosed area and I can't always see what she's ingested so I'm having to take the harsh decision to muzzle her as I really want her to have that freedom to roam, she loves it and bounds about like a lunatic. However, she's vomited up bile a couple of times this morning and not touched her food at all. Another altogether serious motive is that some A hole put down poisoned chicken meat in an area known to dog walkers for letting their dogs off the lead. AFAIK at least 4-5 dogs have dies, innumerable cats and other wildlife. I'm thinking that so long as I only use the muzzle for when she's off the lead and continue to reinforce the drop/give command (yeah, sometimes with my entire hand in her mouth) then it won't be so bad. If I can re-enforce the give command with a treat I'm hoping that in time she can be muzzle free but NEVER where we know there to be poisoned meat occassionally. Heart breaking to hear about dogs we know that have died, truly.
Isn't it awful what some people can do? We had an issue near us a while ago where people were leaving pieces of raw mince with drawing pins hidden inside for unsuspecting dogs. Just disgusting!
It would also help to train a good "Leave" rather than just drop/give as I tend to think it's better to stop them picking up rather than a drop afterwards. It's always good to offer a lovely tasty treat in return for a drop/give rather than a hand in the mouth
It is awful what people will do you wonder about the mentality of these people. I trained by dogs to wear basket muzzles foe going to the vet. My dogs are very nervous and reactive especially at the vets as veterinary treatment was partly the cause of their nervousness. I think a basket muzzle would be the best type for you to use. A dog can still pant and drink whilst wearing a basket muzzle which is important if your using the muzzle while Luna is exercising. You can feed treats through a basket muzzle so there is perhaps a chance she could pick something up while rooting but the muzzles that keep the mouth shut wouldn't be appropriate fir what you want. I used this article to train my dogs to accept a muzzle. Don't worry if you don't use a clicker the training method still works. http://www.clickertraining.com/node/3948
close to me someone tied warfrin tablets to doggie biscuits and left them in dog walking areas. One dog died 2 were ill and a small child picked one of theses biscuits up and nearly ate it. it seems to be happening all over the place I would definately do what your doing but as Jen says make sure she can't eat with it on. sadly there are some monsters out there
