For the first time since I’ve know him, Gus is miserable, at least whenever his new muzzle is on. We got a muzzle to keep him from eating things in the pasture that can make his megaesophagus worse. And he really hates it. When it’s on, he just sits down and trembles a bit.
He won’t torment Red or Fate, he doesn’t even follow me or Maria. We are hoping he gets used to it, we leave it on for a few minutes and giving him time to adapt. This might be the wrong muzzle, I’ve ordered a couple of other models and we’ll see if we can find the right one.
I didn’t know Gus could be sad, I’ve never seen it before. The stakes are high, though, we either get him used to a muzzle or he cannot come into the pasture again.
might you be better of putting him on a long leash and taking out to the pasture and when he gets into something you can correct him with a small tug on the leash. I know it wouldn’t give him the freedom you would like him to have and you would have to pay close attention but it could make him a little happier—just a suggestion
Friends, thanks for your comments, but I’m not looking for other people to solve this. I’ve worked with dogs and muzzles before, and we will find the right muzzle and acclimate Gus to it properly and patiently. As you know, sharing a problem doesn’t mean turning it over. I say this with respect and affection, not anger, but this is not something we need help with, or are seeking advice for. I do appreciate the thoughts. I don’t expect Gus will love it at first, why should he? Our task is to ease him into it gradually and be patient and observant. I can assure you Gus will be wearing his muzzle and accepting it sometime next week. Right on schedule.
Poor Gus. I hope things improve. i now it is hard for him, and for you and Maria to se him so.
It’s not that hard, he’ll have it by next week.
Maybe Maria could figure out a muzzle that would be less intrusive (at least in Gus’ mind). Possible start with something as unobtrusive as a thread, then go to string. Just a thought.
Thanks Peg, Maria and I are figuring this out together, she is not a muzzle maker, she makes are out of discarded fabrics. We are experimenting with several different styles and we will have Gus wearing one happily in short order.
A friend of mine had a bloodhound who ate rocks all the time and had to have several surgeries to remove them. She went through several different muzzles for him and found that a basket muzzle worked best for him. It looks pretty awful – like a cage for the dog’s head. But it lets the dog breathe easily and isn’t as confining as the cloth muzzles. I wonder if Gus is having trouble breathing with the current muzzle on since he is a brachycephalic breed. One of these is probably already on your list to try. I hope that something works for Gus.
We’re trying basket muzzles and soft muzzles. We’ll see which works best. I have high hopes for the Baskerville muzzle.
I have a friend who uses a basket muzzle on her dog when she lets her run in the woods and the dog seems active and happy.