What kind of muzzle for an indiscriminate eater?

725 Views 3 Replies 3 Participants Last post by Deacon.dog, Jan 19, 2021

Starrystar

Discussion Starter · Jan 18, 2021

I am going to keep working on behavioral training, but I think I need some kind of prevention in the meantime. I see lots of reviews about muzzles to keep dogs from biting, but that's totally not an issue for my dog—she's very sweet; she's just also a vacuum, and the area where we live is fairly busy so there's always trash, leftovers, and who-knows-what on the sidewalk. She has tried to eat: laundry lint, tree bark, dead bugs, dirt, leaves, plastic, etc.; anything she can fit in her mouth.

Just today, I was checking traffic before crossing at the corner, and she scarfed—something. It was completely gone in an instant and no amount of fingers in the mouth could get it out. I'm terrified of pest control products or straight-up poison. She's a little rescue mix, probably part Chihuahua and maybe JRT, maybe 13 lbs. Should I be looking for a cage-type muzzle, or would she just smoosh food through the bars?

I'd be very grateful for any advice. Thank you!

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DaySleepers

· #2 · Jan 18, 2021

You pretty much have to do some kind of basket muzzle that gives her enough room to open her mouth if you want it on while she's outside and exercising, because the cloth muzzles that hold their mouths closed are unsafe for any situation where the dog might need to pant or drink, or for long term use.

That being said, there's some options if you're still worried she can get ahold of some items with a basket muzzle on. There are stool guards made to be inserted into basket muzzles, plastic muzzles like the Jafco which has punched holes instead of that cage-style look that might be trickier to pick things up through, or custom muzzles like the BUMAS where you can have them put extra straps in the front to prevent grabbing things. All of these will make it a lot trickier to reward her with food, of course, but it's a decent compromise to keep her safe. Of the brands I've mentioned, I've only personally had experience with Jafco, and I've got no complaints about the shipping time or muzzle quality, but I only have it in case of emergencies so it doesn't see much regular wear.

The Muzzle Up! Project (The Muzzle Up! Project | Muzzle advocacy, Education, and Training) has some really awesome resources about picking a muzzle and how to train your dog to wear one comfortably.

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Starrystar

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jan 18, 2021

DaySleepers said:
You pretty much have to do some kind of basket muzzle that gives her enough room to open her mouth if you want it on while she's outside and exercising, because the cloth muzzles that hold their mouths closed are unsafe for any situation where the dog might need to pant or drink, or for long term use.

That being said, there's some options if you're still worried she can get ahold of some items with a basket muzzle on. There are stool guards made to be inserted into basket muzzles, plastic muzzles like the Jafco which has punched holes instead of that cage-style look that might be trickier to pick things up through, or custom muzzles like the BUMAS where you can have them put extra straps in the front to prevent grabbing things. All of these will make it a lot trickier to reward her with food, of course, but it's a decent compromise to keep her safe. Of the brands I've mentioned, I've only personally had experience with Jafco, and I've got no complaints about the shipping time or muzzle quality, but I only have it in case of emergencies so it doesn't see much regular wear.

The Muzzle Up! Project (The Muzzle Up! Project | Muzzle advocacy, Education, and Training) has some really awesome resources about picking a muzzle and how to train your dog to wear one comfortably.

Thank you very much!