Hi there

our 7 month old collie lab x eats everything in sight, particularly in new environments or when new things come into the house. This recently caused a big problem and I put a thread on about that - she ate a plastic plug out of the wall and was really sick. Normally she is good with the leave it command - it's just if she gets something before we see her. I know I need to teach her the drop it, but that will take some time.

We bought 2 muzzles that allow her to drink and pant as we wanted to protect her when out on walks - we let her off lead when safe to do so. But I hate them on her, and her head is way too small for the safety loop on them, so she ends up being blinded

can anyone suggest something whilst we are teaching her to drop objects? Or has anyone found a muzzle that is suitable for young dogs?

Thanks
Gavs.

I didnt see your other thread, but I personally wouldn’t muzzle a 7 month old puppy. Could you not puppy proof your house more and try to work out why she is being so destructive?

Does she get a lot of physical and mental stimulation?
Is it possible she's still teething?
Do you leave lots of toys for her?
Do you leave her for very long?
Does she have access to the whole house when you're out, or is she confined?
Is she crate trained?

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I'm afraid I agree with all that Dober has written, and can't think of anything else to add except good luck!

Hi there,
She's not destructive at all She is played with lots, and has play in the park daily as well as hill walks.Plenty of training also at home and in classes. She is left for a maximum of 2.5 hours and most days not at all. We have loads of toys, and when we are out she is in the kitchen with an open crate that she is always in when we get in. She isn't teething.

The problem isn't detructive behaviour, it's picking things up off the ground usually when we are out on walks and when she is off lead, or as I said when we got plastic plugs put in our back yard following damp proofing. I was very surprised when she got one out of the wall. So it's really only to stop her hurting herself by eating something she shouldn't, but I agree, we weren't happy with the muzzles when we tried them on.
Gavs

Sorry if this sounds rude, but I wish you had read my post - my dog is not destructive or bored or neglected. She is a curious collie and a mouthy lab and we are just trying to protect her whilst we work on getting her to drop things, which we know we must do urgently.
Thanks
Gavs

Sorry, did read your post but took the first sentence literally.

I am the master of over statement

Oh sorry, I thought you were suggesting muzzling her in the house due to the plug out of the wall thing.

I'm not against muzzling dogs, but I personally wouldn’t muzzle a puppy. I would keep her on a lead (or a flexi lead) until you have perfected a good 'OFF' command or only walk her in places where she isnt going to be able to eat anything dangerous. Or you could perhaps use the muzzle just when she's off lead? The problems with muzzles are as follows:

-Some dogs dislike other dogs wearing muzzles as they cannot read body language. A bad experience as a puppy could cause fear/dog aggression issues.
-She cannot protect herself if attacked by another dog.
-People are nervous of muzzled dogs
-She cannot play as normal (Ie catching balls, frizbees ect)

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I think you will have to be vigilant to spot things before she does to prevent her going to investigate things she needn't have and puppy proof to prevent her pulling something 'new' apart to see how it works More intensive work on Drop and Swop for something better and Leave, and if she's off lead keep her in sight and train her to walk beside you playing with a tuggy or fave toy off lead as well. As has been said when necessary put her back on a flexi or long line so you have the control to do the training meanwhile.

Gavs, I have the same problem with sticks.....bits of them fairly continuously whilst out that not only does he chew he likes to eat them as well. VERY frustrating as it is a bit of a habitual behaviour and like yourself he gets well cared for/attended to in the day with his daily needs....so nothing missing in that way.

We find he goes through spates of doing it and it's something we're reeeeally trying to stop as we are fully aware of all the dangers. Most of the time on 'LEAVE' he'll do exactly that but sometimes just can't help himself. I too did think of a muzzle but also don't like/want to go down that route as it's not a good signal to other owners and dogs! He's 15 months and fairly immature cos he's a Lab. We thought about going down the ignore route but due to obvious dangers of letting him do it it wasn't something we went ahead with.
So is it attention seeking? ....for whatever reason Even when out with his dog friends he'll still do it