My lovely 17-month-old black labrador-golden retriever cross was spayed in late March. We live in Spain and she spends a lot of time outside in a huge, mostly unfenced garden, which is easily accessible to male dogs, so we decided to spay her because of the risk of constant marauding mastiffs. We were warned she might gain weight. Well, in May, the first plums ripened. Since then, because there are different varieties on the property, whenever she has been outside she has had constant access to plums, and now it's the figs, which she loves. It's very hot here and I've been reluctant to use a muzzle. Also, she just loves to chew on things (sticks, roots, her toys, me, you get the picture), and I felt it would be unbearable for her to be unable to use her teeth. However, she has gained weight, despite getting lots of exercise and our reducing her food (Acana) to around half what she was having. Has anyone here experienced severe over-eating issues with their lab? Did anyone try a muzzle? Should it be a "basket" type? I don't let her out on her own, but to prevent her rushing to the fig trees I have to be constantly aware of exactly where she is and what she is doing. If I try to work outside or am chatting with someone, and I take my eye off her for a second, she'll be off scoffing fruit. She does have excellent recall (thanks to Pippa's fantastic book), so at least she does come galloping back when I whistle. Any thoughts on muzzles? Or should I just keep trying to control her and maybe have her inside more until the fruit season is over? Thanks.
Hello, and a warm welcome to the forum. If she isn't "under orders" as it were, and asked to do something (walk at heel, stay etc) then to her mind, why not go eat the fruit? So you can either supervise her all the time and keep her away from the fruit, or install an enclosure - a dog run or similar - that will keep her away from the fruit. I wouldn't have a dog in an unfenced area without him being supervised or on a lead, so I wouldn't be attracted to the muzzle solution - but I'm sure it would work. You'd have to get her used to it slowly, and make sure it was of a type that she couldn't squish the fruit through. Best of luck with it.
Many thanks Julie, for that response. I think I'm just going to try and keep her suitably distracted whenever she's outside. I don't really like the idea of muzzling her. There is one thing she adores even more than fruit, and that is the garden hose, so that's guaranteed to get her attention! Thanks for taking the time to read my query. Best regards
