my retriever mix eats rocks,wears muzzzle now..help

[steffdogs]

Rupert wears a muzzle now after a major surgery to remove a triangular rock from his intestine. I am looking for someone who has been threw this as well and has good advice besides watch him all the time while outside which i do

[Dauxside]

First when an animal exhibits Pica tendencies the diet is always the suspect. What do you feed?

Some veterinarian specialists associate pica with health disorders:

iron deficiency anemia. - a condition characterized by decrease in the number of red cells in the blood caused by too little iron. Iron is an essential component of hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying pigment in the blood. The causes of iron deficiency are too little iron in the diet, poor absorption of iron by the body, and loss of blood.
Chronic stomach or intestinal disease, such as chronic pancreatitis - a progressive disorder of the pancreas which causes destruction of the pancreas. Dogs with chronic pancreatitis lack sufficient pancreatic enzymes. This lack of enzymes results in the body's inability to properly digest fat, carbohydrates and proteins (Mike Richards, DVM).
esophageal dysphagia: - swallowing problems
lead toxicity
enterocolitis - inflammatory bowel disease

If all health disorders have been ruled out, then bahavioral reasons for pica should be considered. Your dog or puppy may eat dirt, or pick up a rock just to gain your attention, or because he is bored, or because a puppy or a dog was encouraged and trained to pick up objects. Some cases need medical treatment with behavior modifying drugs.