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Is an all day muzzle cruel? What would be better?

16 years ago

I have an 11 year old Rhodesian Ridgeback who has never learned to chew, and likes to eat everything. 3 years ago she lost half of her intestines because of a lateral foreign body. The surgeon said it looked like a piece of carpet.

2 months ago she swallowed a beer bottle cap. And dirt, gravel, grass, and a plastic bag. (Remember the old lady who swallowed a fly?)

And now this past Sunday she had a third surgery to remove 6" of compacted dirt. Her intestines had also twisted but she was lucky that they were ok.

We are building a house while living on the property, so it has been difficult to get the workers to pick up their trash before they leave. We also have a lot of exposed dirt that the neighborhood stray cats are using (we think that's why she's eating dirt). DH has a wood working shop, so the dogs are shop dogs during the day, family pets/inside dogs at night.

I think that my best option is to muzzle her whenever she is outside. I have just started the research, but it sounds like a basket muzzle would be best. It just seems cruel to leave her muzzled all day.

Any suggestions and advice are greatly appreciated - my computer is broken so I am posting this at work and won't be able to check responses until tomorrow.

-Erica

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Comments (4)

cynthia_gw
16 years ago
A basket muzzle is comfortable and the dog can eat and drink with it on, but I'm not clear on why she would need to muzzled all day? Outside with supervision, fine. Indoors if she has roam of the house and can't be trusted, fine. But do not leave her outdoors with a muzzle on if you are not supervising. She wouldn't be able to protect herself if another animal attacked. For day time if you are at work all day, why not give her a safe room and leave her unmuzzled? Just baby gate her in.
olga_d
16 years ago
I agree with a basket muzzle, but she can still eat plenty of stuff with it on so it won't be a total solution. And definitely don't let her run around muzzled as Cynthia said, and also because some dogs can take exception to a muzzled dog for some reason and she could get hurt. I think supervision will be the key for this one, maybe you can teach her to carry something else in her mouth like a toy or a bumper? When you catch her chewing on an inappropriate item just replace it with the item you want her to carry and praise.

It's a tough situation cause this is literally life threatening to her, never mind expensive for you. Can she be inside of an exercise pen in DH's shop or in a large crate? That way she can still be included in the activities but not hurt herself. Good luck!
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annzgw
16 years ago
Since you're building a home and there's going to be 'stuff' around for a long time, I'd spend a little extra money and build a concrete run with cyclone fencing with a partial or full covering on top. When she can't be supervised, you can keep her enclosed in it, will will allow you to relax and not have to worry about what she's eating.

I agree with olga that if your dog wants to eat something bad enough, she'll find a way even with a basket muzzle on.

Has your vet tested to eliminate disease, illness, digestive or deficiency problems?
annzgw
16 years ago
Since you're building a home and there's going to be 'stuff' around for a long time, I'd spend a little extra money and build a concrete run with cyclone fencing with a partial or full covering on top. When she can't be supervised, you can keep her enclosed in it, will will allow you to relax and not have to worry about what she's eating.

I agree with olga that if your dog wants to eat something bad enough, she'll find a way even with a basket muzzle on.

Has your vet tested to eliminate disease, illness, digestive or deficiency problems?

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