Bloody Dogfish!!!!!!!

[BaconAndAvocado]

Our 22mo Lab is obsessed with the bloody things on the beach.
When I’m on my own with him, it’s pretty much impossible to get one off him.
I plunged my hand into his mouth today and got a huge cut from it’s barb.
If I allow him to eat one, we get huge yellow puddles of runny poos overnight on the kitchen floor.

Someone suggested a pet corrector spray?

Any advice please?

How long are they an issue for?

if it's not too long can you walk elsewhere instead?

use a muzzle?

keep him on lead?

he's a lab, it's edible... no easy solutions!

Didn’t think of a muzzle.....although when we tried an aversive lead he scratched and scratched to get it off his face.

He's so quick, even on lead he will spy one before I do and just grab it.

I LOVE the beach but, yes, I am thinking of avoiding it now........

Please don't use a corrector spray on your dog 😞

In the long term you need to teach some firm "stop", "leave it" and "drop it" commands but in the short-term I would either avoid the beach completely or use a muzzle and/or long-line on him so he can't get to them and eat them.

Don’t use a pet corrector spray. Or any aversives. If he keeps eating things he will have to wear a muzzle but you have to get him used to it gradually, you can’t just stick it on him and expect him to accept it.

Lots of dogs wear muzzles, mine included, due to prey drive or constant eating of crap. Just make putting it on (a box type) part of going for a walk. A muzzle becomes a good thing as it means a walk. They can drink and breathe with no issues, eat treats with a bit of help.

Get a muzzle - it needs to be the basket style ones (not cloth) as they allow panting, drinking etc - just not scavenging or biting.

You need to muzzle train first though - you can't just bung a muzzle on their face and expect them to be ok with it
https://www.battersea.org.uk/pet-advice/dog-advice/muzzle-training-your-dog
https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/pet-health-hub/other-veterinary-advice/how-to-muzzle-train-your-dog

The good thing about muzzles is that they're not vulnerable to the dog's own self control and occasional training failures.

I'd also be working on a leave it command though.

Just practice lots and lots of swaps. He has something you swop for the best bit of food. He will soon learn good thing happen when you approach him and will trade what he has.

It will take time though if you have already got into a battle to remove things from his mouth

Whats an aversive lead?

Thanks all.
At home he’s very good at the “leave” command.
I will get some higher quality treats and try the swapping approach.

By “aversive lead” I meant a figure of eight lead, so when he pulled, it was uncomfortable for him. He hated it.

Aversive lead? Corrector spray?

Poor bloody dog.