Should I muzzle her?

TheresaW

TheresaW

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Luna is an absolute nightmare for eating stuff when we are out on walks. If I see something ahead of us, I can pull her in close and give a stern “leave” and she will, but if I don’t see it, it’s in her mouth before I can blink. She’s had slices of pizza, sausages, half eaten sandwiches, you name it. I can get the food out of her mouth if I’m quick enough, but I am worried she is going to eat something that will harm her. This morning she found something in a bush wrapped in cling film which I managed to get off her, but then I spent the rest of the walk with grubby hands. (Not the end of the world I know).

So, should I consider a muzzle, and if so, what type? She is not aggressive at all, and I don’t want people to get the wrong idea, and it also worries me that if another dog were to attack her, she’d have no way to defend herself. She is always on lead, so obviously I would do my best to protect her.
 
If she is kept on the lead I personally dont see the need for a muzzle, as the lead should be enough to prevent her doing things she shouldn't!

Is it an extendable lead? If so, keep it as short as possible until you've scouted the area and then let her have some freedom
 
No, not an extendable lead. Honestly, she is just so fast. Her and Aled will stop and have a sniff at something, which obviously I don’t want to stop her doing, and the next thing she will be eating something. I never truly realised how much food just gets thrown down on the ground, in hedges etc. I think my biggest fear is that read about baited meat being left for dogs. I know it’s probably not that common at all, but it does worry me a lot.
 
Obviously I'm not sure what sort of terrain you have access to walk them on but perhaps teaching them that its only ok to do the stop and sniff bit when you say so would be way forward?

That way you can ensure they arent able to pick anything up from hedges etc.

When I'm lead walking mine it means they walk at my side on a loose lead and pay attention, it isnt the time to sniff/get distracted. When I give them the command to do that they know they are allowed to relax/dilly dally/sniff/toilet etc.

Might be a solution?
 
Worth a try. Aled is as good as gold, it’s just her. She’s off lead when I’m at the horses, and absolutely fine. Will go to eat horse poop etc, and I tell her no or leave, and she will. It’s just our morning walk, which is around the streets at home. She will grab something as we walk past from under a car parked at the kerb, in the bushes etc. In the forest, again on lead, usually a lunge line to give her some freedom (husky with poor recall if she sees a small animal), she’s good too.
 
I think around town I would muzzle her, let alone baited meat if she hoovered down a plastic bag it's a poorly pooch and a big bill. Then out and about where the worst is a dead rabbit I wouldn't worry so much. I hate muzzles and see what you are saying about people thinking she is bad tempered but you must walk her at about 4am, just how many people are out then!!?? (LOL).
 
I muzzle Fizz to help with eating.....she can still get some stuff through but it’s massivley reduced it and gives me chance to grab her while she’s working out how to get it.
 
I’d muzzle her for peace of mind? A greyhound type muzzle will let her drink/pant when it’s hot etc if you can get one to fit her (very sorry, I can’t remember what breed she is :( )
 
Lévrier;13818970 said:
I’d muzzle her for peace of mind? A greyhound type muzzle will let her drink/pant when it’s hot etc if you can get one to fit her (very sorry, I can’t remember what breed she is :( )
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She’s a husky. I will have a look at them. I don’t want to muzzle her, but it’s much better than her getting poisoned or needing surgery for a blockage.

Thanks all.

Clodagh, our walks are at about 6am at the moment :). Winter when I do horses in am as well, they’ll come up with me, which will be about 4am!!
 
Would a fig 8 lead round her muzzle (nose) help? It would certainly give you greater control over her diving off to the side. I can see why you don't want to muzzle her.
 
TheresaW said:
She’s a husky. I will have a look at them. I don’t want to muzzle her, but it’s much better than her getting poisoned or needing surgery for a blockage.

Thanks all.

Clodagh, our walks are at about 6am at the moment :). Winter when I do horses in am as well, they’ll come up with me, which will be about 4am!!
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Ah nice pointy nose shaped head - easy to manage :) she would suit a greyhound type muzzle very well :)
 
Thank you everyone! Have never used a figure of 8 lead, but will have a look. Could be helpful in more ways than one, as she is a puller. I have no problems walking her, although she is strong, but sometimes it can be a bit trying. I think we will have a go at muzzle training her, and have a look at the fig 8 as well.

I don’t overly care what people think per se, but we have people cross the road as it is to avoid her, and she really is the friendliest dog going. (Hope that makes sense).
 
TheresaW said:
Thank you everyone! Have never used a figure of 8 lead, but will have a look. Could be helpful in more ways than one, as she is a puller. I have no problems walking her, although she is strong, but sometimes it can be a bit trying. I think we will have a go at muzzle training her, and have a look at the fig 8 as well.

I don’t overly care what people think per se, but we have people cross the road as it is to avoid her, and she really is the friendliest dog going. (Hope that makes sense).
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Put her in pink, or another girly colour. People smile at our Rottweilers.
 
I will do. She is a very girlie looking girl, and when she sees people, her whole back end wiggles as she wags her tail. Old ladies seem to love her :p. She will ignore most people if they don’t pay her any attention, but so many people seem to actively avoid her. It makes me a little sad if I’m honest. We’ve done a lot to socialise her with people and other dogs.
 
I am sure you can imagine 2 big tough looking Rottweilers in pink! It does work though, we met someone on a dog walk who told us that she always crosses the road when she meets a different Rott because he wears a leather studded collar, she stopped to stroke our girls. I would think that Luna's attire is girly enough, really.
 
Basket muzzle for comfort. I wouldn’t risk it. A mate’s cocker picked up ham wrapped round rat poison pellets, left for dogs by some idiot. She barely survived.
 
I'm with Kimberly. Lead walking means walking beside me with head up, not dawdling or hunting for rubbish to eat.
I've got a phantom food nicker/bottle destroyer (he'll bite first and ask questions as to whether it's putrid/flammable/pressurised/later) and it's just easier and safer to keep him on a lead or let him carry a ball in areas where there's a lot of litter.
 
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